Dog Talk: 6 ways to help your local animal shelter

One way to help a shelter is to wash, walk and help socialise dogs. — 123rf.com

First, tackle the problem at source: stop dogs breeding. Neuter and spay. If the breeding stops, so will the dumping.

Second, adopt from shelters. Give a dog a happy, healthy home. If you can, adopt two dogs. They'll keep each other company while you're at work.

Third, sponsor a shelter. You can pop money into their account or drop by with a bit of cash. If you're super rich, you can endow a cage, paying the costs of the dogs that live in it while they are looking for their forever home.

Fourth, volunteer. Shelters need people who are willing to wash, walk and help socialise dogs. However, be warned that it isn't an easy gig because you cannot become attached.

Fifth, buy little gifts from the shelter souvenir shops. They usually have mugs, caps, T-shirts and a lot of other small items. They're a good way of sponsoring the charity and you can raise awareness of the cause at the same time.

Sixth, run a fundraiser. However, this needs to be considered carefully. Shelters are really short of people and time, so anything that requires their involvement has the potential to backfire. If you have the skills to run a fundraiser, ask your local shelter their preferences – and don't take it personally if they don't have the time to talk to you or to help you run it.

---

Adopt Me

Photo: SIEW YEN

BUBBLES is a four-year-old girl who is healthy, flea-free, vaccinated and spayed. This young lady is a cheery soul who would make an excellent family dog or personal companion. Although she's social, she may not get along well in a home with other dogs. Interested adopters please contact Siew Yen at 012-9385968 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.