A volunteer opportunity that transcends all ages can be found at animal shelters and rescues. How fortuitous that this month hosts National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week. Take an hour or two in this month of Thanksgiving and help out a population that cannot help themselves. Besides providing a much-needed service, you’ll get to spend time together as a family, provide positive role models for your kids and help them develop empathy and a lifelong interest in community service. Here are 10 top tasks that you and your family will enjoy doing for a shelter or rescue, together.
1.Toys, toys, toys — try braiding strips of fleece into ropes for dogs. Check YouTube for how-to videos.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwfNzITP6sg]
2.Don’t forget the cats! Search the Internet for easy cat toy how-tos using toilet paper rolls.
[https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/5-diy-cat-toys-made-from-empty-tp-rolls]
3.Dig through your cupboards and closets for used blankets and towels. Shelters always need clean, gently used bedding for animals.
4.Make some homemade doggie biscuits to donate to a pet rescue. Search the Internet for great doggie biscuit recipes; the kiddos can help make them. [https://allrecipes.com/Recipe/The-Best-Doggy-Biscuits/Detail.aspx?prop24=hn_slide1_The-Best-Doggy-Biscuits!&evt19=1]
5.Host a yard sale and donate proceeds to a rescue or shelter.
6.Take a rescue dog to an obedience class.
7.Go to a foster home once a week to help socialize a dog or cat.
8.Write descriptions and take photos of the shelter animals for potential adoptees.
9.Pull on the gloves and clean some cages at a rescue or shelter — yep, sanitation. Messy yet important!
10.Foster or adopt an animal of your own.
Different organizations require different ages and paperwork. Be sure to check with your shelter or rescue before arriving for your shift. Then get ready for the hard part — convincing your kids that, sadly, they cannot bring ALL of their new furry friends home at the end of the day.
