5 Ways to Support Shelter Dogs

Every dog deserves love, care, and a place to call home. For shelter dogs, small acts of kindness can make a world of difference, turning what might feel like an uncertain journey into one filled with hope and comfort.

This Random Acts of Kindness Day (Monday, February 17th), let’s shine a light on the incredible impact we can have on shelter dogs. Whether it’s volunteering your time, donating nutritious food, offering a temporary home, or simply sharing a post on social media, there are countless ways to show these furry friends that they’re not forgotten.

1. Volunteer Your Time: Walk, Play, and Brighten a Shelter Dog’s Day

Sometimes, the most valuable thing you can give a shelter dog is your time. Shelters are often bustling with activity, and every extra pair of hands makes a difference. 

By volunteering, you can help with essential tasks and activities like dog walking, socializing, and providing much-needed companionship. For dogs, these moments of interaction can be transformative—building trust, relieving stress and dog depression, and preparing them for their forever homes.

Not only does your presence brighten a shelter dog’s day, but you can also support the staff with administrative tasks, cleaning, or organizing supplies. Every small effort contributes to the well-being of the animals and helps the shelter operate smoothly!

2. Foster a Shelter Dog: A Temporary Home, a Lifetime of Impact

Fostering a shelter dog is one of the most relevant ways to make a difference. When you open your home to a dog in need, you provide them with a safe, nurturing environment that helps them heal and adjust to life outside the shelter. Fostering not only relieves overcrowding at shelters but also gives dogs a better chance of finding their forever families.

Whether you’re fostering for a few weeks or a few months, you’ll play a pivotal role in helping a dog learn what it feels like to be loved and cared for. Many foster families find joy in seeing their temporary companions blossom in a home setting, and your support can help them become more adoptable.

To explore fostering opportunities, check out resources like Petfinder’s Foster Network or Animal Rescue Corps.

3. Donate Supplies: Give Comfort With Food, Toys, and Blankets

Shelter dogs rely on the kindness of people like you to provide the essentials that keep them safe and comfortable. Contributing items like food, toys, blankets, and grooming supplies can make a world of difference to a dog waiting for their forever home. 

Most shelter dogs rely on basic kibble, which, while meeting their minimal dietary needs, often lacks the vital nutrients needed for optimal health and vitality. You can help enhance their kibble with products like Volhard’s Veggie Pak. 

This blend of dehydrated vegetables and herbs provides essential nutrients, live enzymes, and amino acids, making it an excellent way to enhance their existing kibble or canned food. Every 1 lb bag hydrates to 4 lbs of fresh vegetables and herbs, offering whole food nutrition to improve digestive health and overall well-being.

4. Support With Monetary Donations: Fuel Their Care and Healing

Monetary donations are one of the most impactful ways to support shelter dogs. Shelters rely on financial contributions to cover veterinary care, vaccinations, spay and neuter procedures, and other essential expenses that keep dogs healthy and ready for adoption.

Even small donations can make a big difference, helping to fund life-saving treatments or buy supplies in bulk. Many shelters allow you to set up recurring donations, ensuring that your support continues to make an impact month after month. This simple act of kindness helps fuel the care, healing, and hope that shelter dogs need.

5. Be Their Voice: Advocate for Shelter Dogs in Need

Shelter dogs need more than physical care—they need advocates to help them find their forever homes and promote their welfare. Sharing adoptable dogs’ profiles on social media can be a powerful way to connect these dogs with potential families. A heartfelt post, complete with a cute photo and their unique story, could lead to the adoption they’ve been waiting for!

Spread Kindness and Change a Shelter Dog’s Life Today!

Whether you donate supplies, volunteer your time, foster a dog, or simply share your story, your kindness can change everything for a shelter dog.

For more advice on dog nutrition, health, and training, contact us and check out our blog!

Volhard Dog Nutrition and its expert canine nutrition coaches offer online consultations to help more dog parents discover why and how to feed their dogs the healthiest foods!

Speaking to a Volhard canine nutrition coach will help you understand the inseparable relationship between healthy food, a healthy body, and a healthy mind.

If you want to contact one of our Volhard canine nutrition coaches, don't hesitate to access our consultation page!

References

1. Arhant, Christine, and Josef Troxler. “Approach behaviour of shelter dogs and its relationships with the attitudes of shelter staff to dogs.” Applied Animal Behaviour Science, vol. 160, Nov. 2014, pp. 116–126, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2014.08.013. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.
   
   

2. Luescher, Andrew Urs, and Robert Tyson Medlock. “The effects of training and environmental alterations on adoption success of Shelter Dogs.” Applied Animal Behaviour Science, vol. 117, no. 1–2, Feb. 2009, pp. 63–68, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2008.11.001. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.
   
   

3. Marston, Linda C., et al. “What happens to shelter dogs? an analysis of data for 1 year from three Australian shelters.” Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, vol. 7, no. 1, Jan. 2004, pp. 27–47, https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327604jaws0701_2. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.
    

4. Protopopova, Alexandra. “Effects of sheltering on physiology, immune function, behavior, and the welfare of dogs.” Physiology & Behavior, vol. 159, May 2016, pp. 95–103, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.03.020. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.