For twenty years and counting, NuVet Labs® has continued to give back to the furry members of our planet. NuVet Labs® is a proud contributor to hundreds of pet charities, rescue organizations and even K-9 police units as part of our desire to help those in need that are unable to help themselves.
There is a unique community of pets and pet parents who team up to give back. Whether the recipient of this goodwill is another animal or a human being in need of a hug, your cat or dog will feed off the positive vibes. Plus, when animals are around, we humans end up with lower stress levels and blood pressure, and a heightened sense of togetherness.
Ready to team up with your pet on a do-good crusade? Check out some of these ways to give back, together.
Foster a Pet in Need
Consider providing a temporary home for a pet in need. This can include a kitten that’s too young to be adopted, a dog recovering from knee surgery, or any pet that needs a break from their noisy pen. Most shelters provide you with all the needed supplies and lots of guidance. If your pet is particularly nurturing, the bonding and socialization for a foster pet is invaluable. Find out more by calling your local shelter and asking about fostering opportunities.
If fostering a pet isn’t an option, get creative by hosting a pet craft night. If you’ve got crafty friends, have them over to make simple cat toys or pet beds. Adoptable pets usually keep these special souvenirs with them once they’re adopted. Call your shelter to see if they have any particular needs.
Be Shameless About Donations
Donating your cat or dog’s blood is a great way to contribute. This may seem a little morbid, but as veterinary medicine becomes more like human healthcare, donated blood is increasingly valuable. Animal blood banks may either take donations or ask volunteers to help care for in-house donors (rescue pets) who are eventually adopted to forever homes. Many veterinary clinics have their own blood banks so ask your vet the next time you and your pet are in for a visit.
Another way to donate is to provide monetary donations. If you have a birthday or holiday coming up, take advantage! Create an email with one of those aww-inducing, ridiculously cute photos of your pet and ask your loved ones to forgo gifts. Instead, ask them to think of the animals and donate. To make it easy, provide a link that directs your loved ones to your favorite charity.
You can also take up a collection. Whether you bring your pet door-to-door or ask friends to stop by, it’s not too tough to provide a dumping ground for things people don’t want. Call your local shelter and see if they need old towels, blankets, cleaning supplies, or any other odds and ends. Tell your friends that if they dump, you’ll deliver.
How To Give Back Together
There are numerous ways that you and your furry companion can give back together. Pet Partners, formerly the Delta Society, screens human/ pet teams for volunteer projects in hospitals, health centers and more. There are a few considerations to make before applying to become a registered service animal team, such as getting a veterinary check-up. Visit Pet Partners for the specifics.
Maybe becoming a search and rescue team is a better fit for you and your pet. This one is for dog-owners only, and it’s best with young dogs, but it is one of the most impactful ways to give back. The American Rescue Dog Association (ARDA) trains volunteer human-canine teams to search for missing persons in conjunction with police or other emergency respondents. Find training resource in your area by visiting ARDA.
However, you and your pet may just want to stretch your legs and enjoy some fresh air while giving to others. A charity walk is a perfect solution. Lots of charity walks are dog-friendly and cat-stroller friendly. Contact the organizers of a local 5K to make sure you can bring you best bud along. There are even dog-centric walks like Bark of Life. A number of local dog walk events are hosted that raise money and awareness for local shelter and rescue operations. Charity walks allow you and your four-legged friend to have fun, meet other pets and their parents and be super hero’s together!
Think Outside The Box
It is always great to teach your dog or cat a new skill. For example, try teaching your pet to read. Or rather, teach your dog or cat to pay attention to a child who’s reading. Animal organizations like Bideawee and Canine Assistants help kids who are having trouble reading by setting them up with an animal listener. The nonjudgmental attention of the cat or dog becomes a powerful motivator for struggling students.
Another option is to join Dog Scouts of America. Sorry cat folks, this is another dog-only option. But it benefits everyone, as the Dog Scouts of America “is a non-profit organization of people who are dedicated to enriching their lives and the lives of others with dogs.” The organization has troops around the country that help people become more responsible dog owners, promote the humane management of animals and provide some fun bonding time along the way. And yes, they have merit badges. There are over 60 badges for Community Service, Clean-up America, Water Safety, Backpacking, Agility and many more.
NuVet Labs is celebrating 20 years of giving back to the pet community. We encourage pet parents or just pet lovers to take advantage of one of the many ways to give back. Learn more about NuVet Labs® by following the NuVet Twitter page.
