Best Items to Donate to an Animal Shelter

Here are items that most animal shelters take -- be sure to check with your local shelter before donating these items to make sure they are able to receive these donations: 

• Pet food or litter
• Newspapers, which they can shred into bedding for the animals
• Towels and blankets for any and all dog grooming needs
• Scraps of fabric like t-shirts or even from leftover crafts. These can turn into soft beds for cats or dog toys!
• Plastic bags to pick up dogs waste (not all shelters accept them, and they mustn’t have any holes)
• Heating pads for sick/injured animals 
• Gently used pet carriers, leashes, collars, bowls
• Empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls which can be chew toys
• Scrubs for animal care staff
• Household items like bleach, dish soap, paper towels, Kleenex, zip-lock bags, disinfectant wipes, powdered laundry detergent, garbage bags, mops, brooms, sponges
• Copy paper, pens, pencils, post-it notes, and staples -- buy them so the org doesn’t have to!

Don’t have the money to donate these items? There are other ways to give to your local animal shelter. You can also:

• Donate your time by cleaning and caring for the animals
• Donate your skills by creating websites for each adoptable pet or taking a great photo highlighting each animal’s personality 
• Foster! 
• Donate for your event or wedding registry