Holiday Food Drive for the Needy Animals Day is coming up on December 11. With so much attention going to charities at this time of year, this certainly is a timely topic. The unofficial holiday also includes stray and feral animals, as well as those whose owners are having difficulty buying food. A Tampa, FL vet offers some advice on how to help in this article.
Statistics
Research from PetSmart Charities shows that as many as 30 million pets do not have enough food. Unfortunately, that number isn’t likely to improve anytime soon. As we all know, the cost of everything has skyrocketed in recent years. The American Pet Products Association estimates that the cost of pet ownership rose 11 percent this year, a trend that will likely continue.
Ways To Help
With causes like this, there’s really no wrong way to help out. Any little bit can make a difference! You can drop a bag of dog food off at a local shelter, order items from a rescue’s wish list, or host a food drive. Actually, drives are a pawesome option here. If you’re hosting a party this year, turn it into a charity event by asking guests to bring donations of pet food. You may also be able to set up a drop-off spot at your workplace, though of course you’ll need to get permission for that.
If you have some spare time on your hands, you can also look into volunteering opportunities. That doesn’t only entail things like cleaning or walking dogs: many shelters can also use help with things like taking pet pictures or managing adoption listings. Even sharing posts and wish lists on social media helps!
Tips
Donating pet food isn’t complicated, but there are a few things to keep in mind. If you’re planning to donate things to a specific animal shelter or rescue, reach out to them first, and find out what they need the most. It may not be what you think. For instance, they may already be stocked up on kitten food, but may be in desperate need of puppy food. This is one reason wish lists are great. Don’t offer opened bags of food, or anything that is expired. You may also be able to donate pet food to organizations that work with the homeless. Or, look into working with a rescue that feeds strays.
Do you have questions about your pet’s health or care? Contact us, your Tampa, FL pet hospital, anytime!
