Whenever possible, I try and purchase locally. Whether it be for my own food at the Farmer’s Market or food/treats for my dog, at our local, small business pet stores.
One of my favorite stores almost always has a large collection can right at the registers. Coincidentally, they usually have a treat that is on sale right on the counter and they are good about asking, “Would you like to donate a $2 dog or cat treat to the Sadie Mae Foundation?”
This method works. At least on me. Every. Single. Time.
I mean, sometimes I’ll have conversations with the cashier. Like this, “If SnoopDog is donating one dollar for every two dollar treat bar purchased, why doesn’t he just donate the money anyway?” THAT kind of stuff pisses me off, (maybe something I need to tweet Snoop about :-)) but it’s not the dog or cat’s fault, so I always support the effort by purchasing at least one treat/food product.
Isn’t that a simple and easy way to help your local shelter?
Easy steps to get you started:
- Ask your favorite pet store if they’d be willing to showcase an ‘on sale’ treat or food at the check out counter.
- Choose your favorite local rescue/shelter etc.
- Purchase a large trash can (31 Gallon at your local Home Depot for less than $25).
- Make up a sign to put on the trash can indicating what the local organization is.
- Make arrangements with the pet store as to when the donated items will be picked up.
- Deliver the donated items to your favorite rescue!
The Mama saved me from a high kill shelter, I’m glad she did. I’m also glad she tries to help others that aren’t as lucky as me.
It’s simple and easy and requires very little time commitment on your part. Plus it’s helping local animals in need.
Check out some other contributions to Be The Change 4 Animals in the blog hop listed below. Many thanks to my co-hosts, Talking Dogs, Pet Faves, and CindyLu’s Muse.
Most of the stores we shop at for pet stuff have the donate the change to a rescue or shelter option, and they usually have some donation jar on the counter as well.
Our favorite pet store is a small family owned chain. The family is local and they have a donation jar. We don’t go to other pet stores because they sell puppies. Our favorite store offers shelter pups every Saturday.
I have this really cool UK dog treat site that matches the treats it sells with donations, one pack sold, one pack donated. I love companies like this and wish more companies did it! As I have no need of these treats at the moment, I mammoth push of the treats to all my friends with dogs so fingers crossed I have done a little something to help.
What a great idea! It’s so simple and it really helps. I don’t even know if our local Petland has a change jar. As far as the smaller pet stores, I won’t patronize them because they sell pets and feature birds and stuff in the windows no matter how cold or hot is it. They don’t speak English so I can’t even yell at them.
Great ideas. Two of our local grocery stores have big bins with good signage by the doors collecting donated pet supplies for the local animal shelter. Our only local pet store is a small one that sells puppy mill puppies… I don’t shop there. Thanks for blogging the change for animals.
Sue
Be the Change for Animals
Talking-dogs.com
I also love the idea of purchasing locally especially independent stores like little pet stores, bookstores, etc. I also find some of the small places are even more generous than large chains. Thanks for hosting this great blog hop and for visiting our blog today! Thanks also for making a donation to Safe Humane!
This is such a great idea! The only place we see this is at Petco. Maybe Mommy should talk to some small shop owners!
That is a good idea. I have seen that set up in a couple of our local pet stores.
Our local PetSmart and Petco have their own charities that I usually donate to; but they also allow rescues to have adoption days every few months. Our vet has a collection bin at the front desk for clients to leave food/treats/toys for the local shelter. That’s where I leave most of our stuff like the food Shadow won’t eat any more, or toys Callie didn’t like. (I can’t part with her favorite ones.)
A local pet store we have been getting Cocoa’s stuff from has a reward program and you can donate your points every month to a local shelter. They do something every month to help a different shelter.
Great idea!
Purrs xx
Athena and Marie
We support those kinds of campaigns in Colorado too. Bless you for spotlighting how a simple act can make a huge difference! ღ
That is a great idea. I’ve never seen anything like that in our area, but I do see collection jars in various places, and the grocery stores have big bins for the local humane society that you can drop something into on your way out.
When we moved, I cleaned out a ton of stuff and took it to the local humane society. Any dog or cat stuff we no longer used plus a bunch of old sheets and towels that were still in good condition. I like to think every little bit we can do counts.
Great idea!
I always try to shop local too and donate my dollars to my local shelter. That way I know it is going to the animals and not big cooperates pocket.
What a fantastic, easy-to-accomplish idea! Lord knows, shelters are in such desperate need of support and supplies, all that would be collected would be so appreciated and put to great use. Collection jars are great, too, for the cash they can use to purchase whatever they need.
Working with a rescue, I can tell you that in addition to food or supplies, gift cards to that pet store are always welcome — with those they can purchase what they still need, without having to worry about cash.
Thank you for the awesome idea – and Thank You for blogging – and being – the change for animals!
Kim Thomas
Be the Change for Animals
CindyLu’s Muse
What a fantastic, easy-to-accomplish idea! Lord knows, shelters are in such desperate need of support and supplies, all that would be collected would be so appreciated and put to great use. Collection jars are great, too, for the cash they can use to purchase whatever they need.
Working with a rescue, I can tell you that in addition to food or supplies, gift cards to that pet store are always welcome — with those they can purchase what they still need, without having to worry about cash.
Thank You for blogging – and being – the change for animals!
Kim Thomas
Be the Change for Animals
CindyLu’s Muse