How can I help animals?

Ok, so I've had this dream of starting a rescue program, rescuing dogs from the pound, and bringing animals into my home. But we are just not financially able, and my mom doesn't want to take care of all my animals every day- she has a life outside of my dream. So I know I won't be able to help in that way for at least 4-6 years minimum after I go to college and earn myself a big enough living. I just feel helpless and a dream I have thought about forever is not going to happen for a very long time. Being a minor, what can I do that's really helpful, without adopting more animals? (We don't have enough room in our house either with 5 animals we do have.)
Thank you!

Originally Posted by Mollysmom

Ok, so I've had this dream of starting a rescue program, rescuing dogs from the pound, and bringing animals into my home. But we are just not financially able, and my mom doesn't want to take care of all my animals every day- she has a life outside of my dream. So I know I won't be able to help in that way for at least 4-6 years minimum after I go to college and earn myself a big enough living. I just feel helpless and a dream I have thought about forever is not going to happen for a very long time. Being a minor, what can I do that's really helpful, without adopting more animals? (We don't have enough room in our house either with 5 animals we do have.)
Thank you!

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Molly...a good way to help is to raise money to donate to a rescue group to use for spaying/neutering or adopting. Hold a bake sale or a lemonade sale.

Another way to help is to collect items that shelters/rescues could use such as leashes/carriers/cages/food/blankets/pens etc. etc.

Katie

What about volunteering at a local HS?

good ideas. I think if I try I can make a difference.

Yes, cooperate with some good rescue group or shelter is the trick.

You dont need adopt all homeless cats yourself, you see

cooperating with a good group/shelter, you may be a foster home for them, or a "on duty" home for temporary help. In this way you dont have the whole responsibility and dont need to pay the vet, and you dont need to have them longer than you can manage. All help to each cats is limited in time, the shelters responsibility finding the permanent home - or next "on duty home"..
When its time to go to college you take a breake from the group, etc.

Remember, own friendly homecats are usually a tremendous help in socializing shy semiferals, or cats who were once homecats but were abandoned and became shy to humans. So you are gold worth for a good shelter group. the trick you dont adopt the socialized cat, but shehe get adopted by others.

I take it your own home cats are fully vaccinated, and you have a room you can use as quarantene room. A clean dog-crate is also veryuseful sometimes
as a reserve quarantene room.


If you cant have any cats at home, many shelters do need volunteers to come to the cats living in the shelter. Give food, clean litters, play with the cats to help socialize them.

Originally Posted by TNR1

Molly...a good way to help is to raise money to donate to a rescue group to use for spaying/neutering or adopting. Hold a bake sale or a lemonade sale.

Another way to help is to collect items that shelters/rescues could use such as leashes/carriers/cages/food/blankets/pens etc. etc.

Katie

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These are excellent ideas. I've read many stories about kids/teens who have taken it upon themselves to help in this way. It sometimes helps even more than taking them into your home...instead of helping one, you're helping many! You have a good heart, and these are great ways to put it to use!

Moly good for you. I truly hope reach your dream. Volunteering is an excelent way to help until you can get there. I wish you were in Wisconsin because I'd recruit you to come help us. I love the young volunteers on my shift they are some of the best kids around. I hope you find a wonderful place to volunteer and if it's anything like out shelter you'll make a lot of great friends, both 2 & 4 legged.

Thank you for the suggestion of volunteering. That would be heaven!!!