We squeal with delight at every Instagram pooch and kitty we see, but there are plenty of potential pets out there that need our help — and likes and heart emojis aren’t enough. Sharon Harvey, president and CEO of the Cleveland Animal Protective League, fills us in on some small ways to help out.
Support your local animal shelter.
Hit paws on season four of The Crown and find out what you can do to support these organizations. While the pandemic means there are less opportunities to volunteer, spots such as the APL will need people to help walk dogs, socialize with cats and help with clerical work once the pandemic subsides. “The best way we can make sure that we can help as many animals as possible and provide them with the absolute best care possible, is that people support those groups,” Harvey says.
Foster animals at home.
If you still want to get up close and friendly with furry friends, foster a pet that needs some love and care before getting ready for adoption. Fostering an animal could mean having them for a few weeks or a few months, depending on their needs. Foster homes are easier than being at a shelter for animals that might need rehabilitation. “They really are so critical to what we do,” Harvey says of foster pet parents. “The shelter environment can be a little scary for [some pets].”
Stay up to date on pet-specific legislation.
There are plenty of policies that affect the animals in our lives. From pit bull bans to animal cruelty legislation, staying up to date on different potential ordinances and bills at the city, state and federal level can go a long way in making sure animals are treated like the members of the family they are. “Inform yourself,” Harvey says. “Don’t just look at the title of the bill. Read the text of the bill and make sure you understand it. And then reach out to your lawmakers.”
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