HOW YOU CAN HELP

One of the ways you can help is by going to your local shelter or rescue group to adopt one of the homeless critters there. There are so many cats, dogs, rabbits and even chickens and ducks (depending on the time of year).

If you don't have the room in your family for a new friend, you can work as a volunteer. Volunteers are needed for all aspects of the shelters and rescue groups, whether it's helping with a website, handling the animals, helping with pet fairs, posting fliers or helping feed, bathe and take care of the animals in the shelter. Most of the shelters and rescue groups rely heavily on the volunteers they have, but they could always use more. Quite a few of the shelters also have home-fostered animals, so they are always looking for volunteers to be foster parents for these loving animals.

Another way you can help your local rescue group is to adopt a feral colony. This would basically consist of going to a known colony and making sure that feral cats have food and water. When new feral cats show up you would be responsible for trapping the newcomer and getting them checked out by a designated veterinarian (usually assigned by the rescue group). You might be responsible for getting them spayed or neutered if needed, along with arranging for any other medical needs. This should not be an added expense to you. It would be jan act of love for animals by spending some time to help them.