5 Ways to Make an Impact This Change a Pet’s Life Day

January 24, 2024

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While adopting a pet is a great way to change a pet’s life, it’s not the only way. There are so many ways to change animals’ lives, and many can even be done from the comfort of your home!

Right now, many animal shelters and rescue organizations across the country are at maximum capacity and in need of some extra help and resources. This Change a Pet’s Life Day, we encourage you to take one of these five actions to help not only an animal in need, but maybe a shelter or rescue organization, too!

1. Adopt or Foster an Animal in Need

As we mentioned earlier, adoption is a great way to help animals! Did you know that adopting can change multiple animals’ lives? Not only does it add a whole lot of love and cuteness to your life while giving a deserving animal a comfortable home, but it also makes room and opens up resources in the shelter for more animals in need. You can adopt an animal from the ASPCA in New York City or the tri-state area, Los Angeles, Asheville, North Carolina, or Columbus, Ohio. Or consider adopting through one of the Animal Care Centers of NYC locations, or your local shelter!

Not ready to adopt? That’s okay! Instead, you can become a foster caregiver. Fostering helps to give you hands-on experience with having a pet in your home while also giving your foster pet a chance to decompress outside of the shelter and experience life in a loving home—maybe for the first time. You can foster an animal from the ASPCA in New York City or the tri-state area, Los Angeles, Asheville, North Carolina, or Columbus, Ohio. Or consider fostering for your local shelter!

You can create your own fundraiser to share with your friends and family through your social media channels, or another digital platform. Peer to peer fundraising is a great way to get your community involved in a cause you're passionate about, and help raise critical funds for animals in need!

3. Volunteer Your Time at a Shelter

If you’re not in a position to donate supplies, try donating your time or your voice! Whether you choose to be hands-on with animals in-person, or help us advocate for policies from home, you have a few options to choose from.

a. Volunteer at an ASPCA facility! Not ready to take on an animal of your own? Help us care for animals in one of our facilities nationwide. We are looking for volunteers in New York City or the tri-state area, Asheville, North Carolina and Columbus, Ohio.

b. Become an advocacy volunteer! Join one of our advocacy volunteer programs to help us pass animal-friendly legislation and mobilize other animal advocates in your community.

c. Deploy with the National Field Response (NFR) team! Looking to get boots on the ground and help animals during natural disasters or cruelty cases? Sign up to become an NFR volunteer responder.

d. Join the Horse Action Team! To meet our goal of banning horse slaughter for good, we’re seeking advocates like you who are willing to step up for horses by actively participating in advocacy work right where you live.

4. Spread the Word on Social Media

You can use your social media channels to share content and information from shelters or rescues, giving adoptable animals, or the shelter itself, more visibility. You can follow us on Instagram, TikTok and X, or search for your local shelter’s social media accounts!

Local shelters need our help now more than ever! By finding your local shelter, and offering support, whether that be by fostering, adopting, volunteering, donating supplies or posting on your social media, you’re making a massive impact on all the animals, and the shelter.

Additionally, many local shelters rely on their communities for financial support. By donating funds, hosting a digital fundraiser or asking for donations in lieu of birthday or other gifts, you can make a world of difference.

However you choose to help, we are so thankful for your commitment and dedication to furry friends nationwide!