- Getting your pet a new bed this year? Donate his old one! As long as the beds are still in usable condition, they can be used by rescues and shelters! At TCDR, I buy zippered pillowcases and just "recover" the beds with a new pillowcase. Please machine wash the item and donate it! Rescues will put it to good use!
- When you are at your local store, consider purchasing a small item for rescue. Even a small bag of rawhide chews (make sure they are made in the USA!), pet food, shampoo, collar, etc. can help a rescue! So while you are shopping those holiday sales, consider picking up a small item to help out some pets that are still looking for their forever home.
- Got some old dog/cat dishes? Rescue can use them! As long as they don't have holes in them and are still in decent condition, shelters and rescues will put them to good use.
- Have a crate you don't use? Again - these are things rescues and shelters use a LOT!! Do you have all the parts except the screws that hold it together? Zip ties work great for that! Rescues and shelters need crates for foster homes, to transport pets, and sometimes just to use for recovery from surgery. Drop off used crates at your favorite rescue or local shelter. They will appreciate it!
- Did your dog outgrow his heartworm prevention or flea medications? Rescues will take it! We go through a LOT of this type of stuff in Texas - and I'm sure most other rescues, like ours, appreciate even one or two extra doses.
- Got old blankets or sheets? Local rescues and shelters can use them! With the weather cooling down, it becomes more difficult to help our rescues stay warm. Many pets shelters and rescues take in are malnourished - and without much body fat, staying warm is more difficult. Your old bedspread or throw could help keep a rescued pet warm this winter.
- Doing some "winter cleaning" getting ready for family and friends for the holidays? Consider auctioning off your unwanted items and donate to your favorite charity. eBay now offers an option where if you donate 100% of your auction to a charity on their list (TCDR is on their list!), they refund all listing and sales fees. A few dollars from your unwanted items will provide a heartworm pill... $40 will provide vaccines... $80 will neuter or spay a dog...
- Have some spare time to help during the holidays? Shelters can always use help walking dogs, cleaning kennels, washing bowls, etc. Even a few hours of your time is a LOT of help!
- Have a particular skill that might be useful to rescue? Maybe you are a webmaster, a graphic design guru, a design master... Rescues always need ideas to help draw attention to their cause. If you have ideas, send an email and offer your services! Shelters and rescues are grateful for a fresh suggestion on how to become more visible.
- And last but never least... Got a few spare pennies? Reputable rescues use every cent donated to vet and care for the pets they rescue. A few bucks from several people adds up really quickly. Rescue is really only limited by number of foster homes and funding. Can't foster but want to help another way? Sponsor a pet. Each shelter or rescue has an idea of what it costs to maintain a rescued animal for one month. You can sponsor one or more pets until adopted. Make a one time flat donation or donate monthly. Every donation counts. Donate to your favorite rescue or shelter and help save animals - it's that simple. (If TCDR happens to be your rescue of choice - you can donate to us via paypal at donate@texascattledogrescue.com. We also have 2012 calendars for sale as a fundraiser! Find them here - http://www.ebay.com/itm/200681287333?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1559.l2649).
Your friends at TCDR
