The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is supporting this endeavor and it's spread across the net pretty successfully. I found an article at the Times-Standard offering suggestions on how the average pet owner can help out. As with all shelters, the one cited in this article (Sequoia Humane Society) could use some help not only in the volunteer area, but also with donations.
Here's what they suggest: donating food and other pet supplies; reminding pet owners to spay and neuter; volunteer to walk dogs or groom cats. It never hurst to just visit the shelter and ask how you can help, either.
If you visit Animal Sheltering.org, they have an educational link called "Pets for Life" where they partner with the HSUS to "keep pets and their people together." We know pets are a lifelong commitment but so often someone feels she has to relinquish her pet because of behavioral problems - when, in reality, there are places to turn for help. Here in Rochester, Lollypop Farm is the place most often in the news rescuing animals or showing off beautiful pets that are available for adoption.
The great thing about Pets for Life is that there are online courses available to increase understanding of pets' behavior. The HSUS includes a series of Tip Sheets, also. Clearly, online resources are abundant. But, in the end, a visit to your veterinarian can help solve both behavioral problems and unanswered questions you have about diet, care, and how to help your pet be a loving part of the family.
This year, even though the appreciation date is technically over tomorrow, let's all try to fit some time in to help our shelter animals out. At the very least, we can donate items our shelters are requesting, just by visiting their website - because most of them have a page outlining exactly what they need. If we can't volunteer, let's support our shelters in whatever way we can.
Our pets (those at home and those yet to be adopted) are depending on us.
