Fostering & Volunteering Is So Important. Learn Why With Rocky Kanaka
Shelter dogs are dogs that have either been abandoned or surrendered by their previous owners. These dogs often find themselves in overcrowded shelters, with little or no human interaction, and sometimes without proper care. If you’re an animal lover, there are many ways you can help shelter dogs. Here are some ways to get involved.
Adopt a dog: The most direct way to help shelter dogs is by adopting a dog. By adopting a shelter dog, you’re giving it a second chance at life. Shelter dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and breeds, so it’s easy to find one that suits your lifestyle. We have lots of adoptable dogs right here. Check them out.
Foster a dog: Fostering a shelter dog is a great way to provide a temporary home for a dog in need. Fostering can help the dog become socialized and comfortable with people and other animals. This is particularly important for dogs that have been in a shelter for an extended period of time. (Watch the video above to learn why fostering is so important)
Volunteer at a shelter: Shelters rely heavily on volunteers to help with tasks such as dog walking, feeding, and cleaning. By volunteering, you can provide much-needed attention and care for shelter dogs. You can also help with adoption events, fundraisers, and other activities.
Donate to a shelter: Shelters are often underfunded and rely on donations to keep their doors open. You can donate money, food, toys, blankets, and other items to your local shelter. Even a small donation can make a big difference in the lives of shelter dogs.
Spread awareness: Many people are unaware of the plight of shelter dogs. By spreading awareness, you can help educate people about the importance of adopting shelter dogs and the benefits of pet ownership. You can also share information about adoptable dogs on social media or by word of mouth.
Participate in a fundraising event: Many shelters hold fundraising events to raise money for their operations. You can participate in events such as charity walks or runs, bake sales, and auctions to help raise money for the shelter.
Educate yourself: Learn about the issues facing shelter dogs and what you can do to help. There are many resources available online, including articles, books, and documentaries.
Train and socialize dogs: Many shelter dogs have behavioral issues due to their previous experiences or lack of training. If you have experience with dog training, you can volunteer to help train and socialize shelter dogs, which can increase their chances of getting adopted.
Transport dogs: Some shelters may need help transporting dogs to and from adoption events or other shelters. If you have a vehicle and some spare time, you can volunteer to transport dogs and help them get to their new homes.
Work with a rescue organization: Rescue organizations work with shelters to save dogs that are at risk of being euthanized or have special needs. You can volunteer or donate to a rescue organization to help them continue their important work.
Advocate for animal welfare: You can also advocate for animal welfare by writing to your local representatives, signing petitions, or supporting organizations that work to improve animal welfare laws and regulations.
To learn more about ways to help shelter dogs and animal welfare in general, you can visit the websites of animal welfare organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and Best Friends Animal Society. These organizations provide information about volunteer opportunities, fundraising events, and advocacy efforts.
Or if you love a certain breed, there are specific rescue groups specializing in nearly every type of breed, size of age of dog.
200 Rescues Specializing in Golden Retriever Adoption
Adopting a Senior Dog? 8 Rescues That Can Hook You Up
Looking for Small Dogs for Adoption? These Types Of Shelters Can Help
You can also reach out to your local animal shelters and rescue organizations to find out how you can get involved.
Video Transcript
So let me tell you exactly what fostering a dog is.
OK, let’s talk about exactly what fostering a dog is. And, let’s use Marley’s Mutts as an example. It’s perfect because that’s who I’m fostering Blossom through. Now Marley’s Mutts is based in Southern California, and they’re an awesome rescue, but they don’t have a big enough facility and the cost it would go into that and all of the care and maintenance and everything that goes into that.
They just couldn’t take all of the dogs that they could take without their foster network. And what’s great about a foster network is it’s a bunch of individuals that raise their hand and say, you know what, I want to help a dog. They take a dog like Blossom for example, how I took Blossom into my home and she comes to live with me until she’s ready to go into her new home.
And there’s a couple reasons that’s so important. One, like we talked about, the shelter just can’t take on that many animals so it really helps them. Two, it helps the dog, like Blossom, or cat learn what a home is. Right, there’s potty training, there’s food, there’s love, boundaries are usually set.
And then so they’re more likely to stay in an adopted home when they get there because foster parent has already worked with them. You can probably sit here for hours and talk more about it. I will tell you, just imagine if every person fostered a dog. It would make a big impact if not, eliminate dogs being put down, which is just completely unnecessary, a problem we have created and we can all solve together. It’s one reason you’re watching this channel and so many of you have subscribed because you believe in this.
By the way, if you haven’t subscribed, you should subscribe right now if you think this face is cute. And I’m pointing to Blossom’s face not; This face. Look at that! If you don’t subscribe to that, you are a mean person. Oh, and click that notification bell too so that YouTube tells you when a new video is up, like Blossom right here because her journey has been really awesome. She’s got a full series of videos, you should check it out. Now, the people sending me direct messages that are really aggressive, that I’m a horrible person if I don’t keep her. I understand where you’re coming from.
Every time I work with a dog, and that dog goes into a loving home, my heart is broken, and there are tears shed. But I’m not doing it for me. I don’t, a lot of people say, well I couldn’t foster because the heartbreak of when the dog has to go. But you know, that’s not why you foster a dog. You don’t foster for you, you foster to save a life like this, right? She now is, her life is saved. And she’s going to have a complete and whole life in her new home with her new mom which is so awesome. And trust me, it would be so easy for me to keep her.
Oh, I would love it. She is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever met. But I can’t, because I need to work with more dogs who need help like Blossom does. Now some of you said, well, she’s gonna completely regress and all the work you’ve done is going to go away. It won’t. What we’ve done with Blossom is we’ve taught her that she can trust humans. And now, she knows how to trust. Will she likely take a step back? Yes. And taking a step back isn’t even the right word. Will she likely have some concern in her new home and not feel comfortable immediately?
Yeah. And I think that’s perfectly normal. I think that’s perfectly normal for even children, or humans, right? You’re a little apprehensive at first, then you warm up, you get to know your surroundings, and you get to know the person, and that’s what Blossom’s going to go through. But she’s made so much progress. She’s still going to wag her tail. She still knows how to eat out of a dog bowl now and drink out of a water bowl. She’s potty-trained. All these things she never had before.
Are you interested in fostering a dog? Take our quiz to find out if you have what it takes.