April 30th is Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, a day dedicated to promoting pet adoption from animal shelters. Adopting a shelter pet is not only an act of kindness but it also helps to reduce the number of homeless pets in the country. In honor of this day, we have outlined 8 options for how to make this day better.

  1. Volunteer at a shelter: If you cannot adopt a pet, consider volunteering at a local animal shelter. Shelters are always in need of volunteers to help with feeding, cleaning, and caring for the animals.
  2. Donate to a shelter: Shelters rely on donations to continue to provide care for the animals. Consider making a donation of money, pet food, or other supplies to a shelter near you. You can also donate to national animal charities like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) or the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
  3. Foster a pet: Fostering a pet is a great way to help a shelter while giving a pet a temporary home. Fostering can also be a great way to determine if you are ready for a pet of your own.
  4. Spread the word: Share your adoption story on social media and encourage others to adopt from shelters as well. Use the hashtag #AdoptAShelterPetDay to help spread the word.
  5. Attend an adoption event: Many shelters host adoption events to help promote pet adoption. Attend one of these events to meet adoptable pets and support the shelter.
  6. Educate yourself on pet care: Adopting a pet is a big responsibility. Educate yourself on pet care and the costs associated with owning a pet to ensure you are ready to take on the responsibility.
  7. Support pet health and wellness: Wagmo provides an end-to-end ecosystem that allows pet parents to plan and pay for everyday pet health and prevention services. Their Wagmo Wellness plan helps pet parents afford everyday expenses by bringing financial relief and additional value to stretch their paycheck. Consider enrolling in a plan like this to ensure your pet is receiving the care they need.
  8. Adopt a senior pet: Senior pets often have a harder time finding homes, but they can make wonderful companions. Consider adopting a senior pet to provide them with a loving home in their golden years.

If you're looking to donate on this special day, consider these four national animal charities:

  1. ASPCA: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals works to prevent cruelty to animals across the United States. You can donate to them here: https://www.aspca.org/ways-to-give
  2. HSUS: The Humane Society of the United States works to promote the protection of all animals. You can donate to them here: https://www.humanesociety.org/donate
  3. Best Friends Animal Society: Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters. You can donate to them here: https://bestfriends.org/donate
  4. PetSmart Charities: PetSmart Charities is a nonprofit organization that finds homes for homeless pets, supports animal welfare organizations, and provides grants to help pets in need. You can donate to them here: https://www.petsmartcharities.org/donate/