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How to support organizations that support animals during this challenging time (and some suggestions free and/or quarantine-friendly!)

Like so many pet owners, I ordered extra of my cats' food before I stocked up on anything for myself.  I couldn’t help but think about how I could also support pets in local shelters during this challenging time.  Our nation is in uncharted territory with the recent COVID-19 outbreak.  Our ever-changing daily lives have become "the norm," as we try to walk the fine line between keeping ourselves and others safe and acting out of fear.

Like so many other nonprofit organizations that support local pets, we have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic on numerous levels.   Many animals still looking for their forever homes have also been greatly affected – shelters are at maximum capacity with minimum support.  Here are a few ways you can support these pets during this challenging time…and many suggestions are free and/or quarantine-friendly!

  1. SHARE THIS POST, AND OTHERS LIKE IT.  Many animal advocates are working from home and working hard to keep the mission and message alive during this critical time.  Sharing informative posts about how you can support the needs of local shelters and other causes you feel passionate about will help keep the movement going strong and even obtain much-needed supplies and donations.

 

  1. DOING SOME UNEXPECTED "SPRING" CLEANING? DONATE OLD TOWELS, BLANKETS, SHEETS, DISHES, AND PET SUPPLIES TO LOCAL SHELTERS.  With social distancing becoming the new norm, shelters and other organizations are getting fewer donations of all kinds.  Please consider saving items that may be useful in animal-related organizations and help support local pets. *We recommend that you contact organizations remotely (via phone or e-mail) versus walking in with donations.  Many organizations are temporarily closed, have restricted hours or new social distancing policies to protect staff and clients that may affect accepting these donations.

 

  1. DID YOU HAVE AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE WITH A NONPROFIT BUT DIDN'T HAVE THE TIME TO SHOW THE LOVE IN AN ONLINE REVIEW? NOW IS YOUR CHANCE!  Online reviews are essential to all businesses these days, even nonprofit organizations.  Positive feedback helps us spread the message of our mission, our services, and the importance of spay/neuter with individuals who may not have known about our organization or the importance of spay/neuter.  Science has proven it takes 6-12 "mentions" of a topic before an individual starts accepting something as the truth.  Review Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic on Google, www.greatnonprofits.org, or LIKE US on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nutmegclinic and share our posts you relate to!

 

  1. ADOPT, ADOPT, ADOPT! AND ENCOURAGE YOUR LOVED ONES TO DO THE SAME. Shelters are beyond maximum capacity right now with the COVID-19 pandemic.  Families who could never imagine giving up their beloved pets are suddenly finding themselves in financial and living situations they never dreamed of.  Due to the crisis, many local shelters are waving or deeply discounting adoption fees, and cutting out a lot of red tape to ensure as many successful adoptions possible.  Thought you would never have to time acclimate that new dog or cat?  Feeling lonely in self-isolation?  Make a decision right now you can feel confident and awesome about – adopt a dog or cat today.  NOTE: Please be patient – many organizations are working with reduced staff and a larger volume of inquiries of ALL kinds.

 

  1. CONSIDER FOSTERING A PET THROUGH AN EMERGENCY FOSTERING NETWORK.  AND ENCOURAGE YOUR LOVED ONES TO DO THE SAME. If you love the idea of helping an organization and a local shelter pet but are unable to adopt right now – PLEASE CONSIDER FOSTERING.  Many organizations are quickly organizing an emergency fostering network to get as many pets in temporary homes and out of the shelters as quickly as possible.  Why are they doing this?  Many organizations have been forced to close or have minimal staff, giving these pets even less time with their human care-takers and potential adopters.  There has also been a considerable influx of surrenders with the ever-changing economy and other life changes in the community.  Contact your local shelter via phone or e-mail, and see if they have a loving pet in isolation to keep you company in isolation today.  NOTE: Please be patient – many organizations are working with reduced staff and a larger volume of inquiries of ALL kinds.

 

  1. IF YOU CAN, CONSIDER A SMALL DONATION FOR A NONPROFIT YOU LOVE.  Times are tough for all of us right now; no one can deny that.  Especially in a time of economic uncertainty, monetary donations to nonprofit organizations that have essential programs to serve and protect our community are in significant decline.  If you can, consider a small tax-deductible contribution to a local nonprofit. 

 

*Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic is currently closed temporarily, but we still have 18 cats for adoption that the staff is taking turns caring for voluntarily each day.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are also limited in the quantity of cat food we are allowed to purchase despite our large clowder of kitties. Our organization depends on both clinic fees and donations to support our mission and local pets, and our recent closure has already dramatically affected both.   Please consider a tax-deductible donation of any amount at https://www.nutmegclinic.org/giving-back (a donation of $18.76 will feed one of our cats for adoption for one month!) OR sending a shipment of cat food to the clinic through www.chewy.com or www.walmart.com (Our cats eat Frisky's Poultry Platter 5.5 oz Canned Food and Purina Cat Chow Complete Dry Food). 

If you already have cat food to donate and would like to coordinate pick up or drop off, please e-mail erin.pollander@nutmegclinic.org, and I would be more than happy to do so!

Questions? Comments?  Email erin.pollander@nutmegclinic.org

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