Changing Lives Fur-Ever Through Animal Donations

Perhaps you’ve just tuned out when those heartbreaking commercials come on TV showing the shaking, starving, sad-faced pets that are stuck in shelters. 

Thankfully, there are loving animal advocates across the country with a mission to educate the public and raise necessary funding through animal donations, as well as help needy pets find “furever homes."

What Are My Animal Donations Supporting?

There are various forms of animal adoption opportunities, most of which have the same goals in mind: Get homeless creatures off the streets and into loving homes.

A poodle mix rescue organization has an article on its website that clarifies the difference between some of these entities. The biggest difference between a dog shelter and a rescue organization is the funding, says Oodles of Doodles, a New Jersey non-profit. Rescue groups need philanthropic support and most of the staff members volunteer their time. Shelters are typically run by the government. 

Both types of organizations help animals by taking in unwanted pets in hopes of finding them new homes. Shelters usually house the adoption candidates in on-site kennels, while rescue groups almost always solicit foster homes where animals can live until they find new families to take them in. Shelters and rescue groups both take temporary ownership of animals that are strays or have been seized by animal control.

If donating to marine animals is more important to you, there are many worthy non-profits that benefit undersea creatures – both directly and indirectly.

How to Help Animals

Though there’s no purrfect solution for the problems of overpopulation and abuse, there are easy, tangible ways to contribute.

Everyone knows the value of your four-legged friend is priceless, but an article in Time Magazine crunches the numbers for us, so we see the financial burden for rescues more clearly – canines, in this case.

The average annual cost of dog ownership ranges from $1001 for small breeds up to $1,448 for large dogs ... and that’s not including fees such as spaying and neutering or discretionary supplies.

They need food, beds, and healthcare – and for rescue dogs, that means they need animal donations from generous supporters.

But dogs aren’t the only kinds of pets that receive help from animal shelter donations. Sometimes more exotic pets end up stranded, awaiting generous adoption families. Among many other species, the Humane Society lists several types of animals waiting for adoption, including ferrets, guinea pigs, gerbils, birds, mice, and hamsters. 

The needs in rescue centers vary according to where they are. For instance, a shelter in Minnesota might need supplies for snowy winter months, while a rescue in Mississippi would rather have relief from insects.

Some of the most typical animal shelter wish lists include:
• Pet toys
• Food dishes
• Dog beds
• Tools for grooming
• Food/water dishes
• Collars/leashes

But don’t stop there. Other necessities for shelters are soaps, paper towels, newspaper, cleaning products, and office supplies. Or you can put in time as a volunteer.

If you don’t have extra cash, or you don’t have time to go shopping for supplies, you can donate your car to animal shelters. 

Who Can Process Animal Donations?

At the tail end of animal donations to a non-profit entity, there’s the happy ending of a tax write-off – whether you’re donating cash or making a car donation to animals.

But if you’re using the value of a vehicle, make sure you use a car donation company with a pedigree, meaning they have experience processing animal donations.

While there are some ideal circumstances to donate a car to charity, such as an estate with a car no one needs, anyone can turn their vehicle into an animal donation.

Whatever you drive, you can turn the value of your vehicle into comfort for unwanted animals via assistance to such groups as the Humane Society or New Beginnings for Animals.

Vehicle animal donations don’t have to be basic sedans, vans or SUVs. You can donate an RV to an animal charity such as Animal Friends Rescue Project, San Diego Humane Society, California Wildlife Center, Boston Buddies of Southern California, and Kitten Rescue (L.A.).

If you’re a car collector, you may have motorcycles or OHVs filling your storage unit. Animal donations can take the form of a boat donation, jet skis, quads, tractors – you’d be surprised.

Do you live on a cul-de-sac, maybe a 55+ retirement community? Then you probably have your own Club Car or E-Z-Go. You can donate a golf cart to an animal charity too.

Of course, the proceeds can go to any 501(c)(3) you choose. 

At Cars2Charities we work with numerous charities accepting animal donations. If youvisit our “causes” website page you’ll see that you can choose non-profits in many categories, from disaster relief to veterans. When you click on “Animal Rescues,” you can see our list of charities.

 If it makes it easier to see it in action, our video is an op-purr-tunity to illustrate the process for you.

Pets are powerless when it comes to their circumstances, but through animal donations, you can have an impact by supporting programs doing the work of fighting neglect and informing others about the real problems our furry friends face every day.