6 Ways To Help Shelters | How You Can Help The PEDIGREE® Foundation

by Jenn

This post brought to you by PEDIGREE FOUNDATION. All opinions are 100% mine.

We love our dogs!  We are an animal loving family, from my husband down to my youngest child.  I don’t understand how people can bring home such a loving campaign and then turn their backs on them, leave them to fend for themselves only to end up in local shelters.  It’s sad, shelters are becoming overcrowded, and many having a hard time finding funding to care for some many dogs.  When all that needs to happen is people need to be responsible pet owners.  Don’t bring one home unless you plan on loving it beyond its golden years.

I’m very excited to share this post with you, it’s something I am very passionate about, and I love being able to share great ways we can give back to our local shelters.   Do you ever help your local shelter, or with there was something you could do for all the sweet dogs and cats living at the shelters?   Helping shelters is easy, they don’t ask for a whole lot, and there are so many great ways you can help.  Here are a few of my favorite.

Learn – Know what you are getting yourself into before running out and getting a pet.  They are work, require a lot of attention, love, and work.  They are worth it, but not everyone is an animal person.

Adopt – With so many loving dogs and cats in the shelters why not stop by your local shelter and adopt.  Some of the best dogs I have owned where pound puppies.

Breeding – Consider spaying and neutering your pets.  There are already too many animals in the shelters.

Say Thank You – Take a moment to reach out to shelters, and rescue groups and say thank you.  Take a moment and follow them via social media networks, and say thank you.  Comment and interact, show them you appreciate what they do for the homeless animals out there.  Share pictures on your social media outlets, you never know maybe your share can help a sweet innocent animal’s land an amazing new home.

Donate – If you have old towels, bowls, toys, or anything else you think the shelter might use donate them rather than tossing them.  If you are not sure, call them and ask what items they might need.

Shop at your animal shelters thrift store – If you are like me, and love thrift store shopping look for the thrift stores where proceeds go to your local animal shelter. 

Purchase PEDIGREE® Brand or TEMPTATIONS® Brand products from Dollar General during the month of October – I love it when brands come together to support something that matters like this.  Not only are they supporting shelters in the United States, they are giving consumers the chance to get involved and support a campaign that matters.        

During the month of October Mars Petcare will donate $1 to PEDIGREE® Foundation to help shelters in the United States with any PEDIGREE® Brand or TEMPTATIONS® Brand is purchased at Dollar General during the month of October.  To make things even better when you purchase participating products you will receive a $1 off coupon for any PEDIGREE® Treat for Dogs!  It’s a win-win situation if you ask me.  Plus your dog will love you for purchasing them PEDIGREE dog treats.

We love our dogs very much.  They all have amazing personalities, and are total goofs.  The newest edition to our family is Trip.  He is a pitbull one of our friends found, and brought to use before he took him to the pound.  He was originally my dog, but somewhere along the way my youngest daughter stole his heart.  

Trip and Mattie are too funny, they fight and play just like kids would.  Trip picks on Mattie every chance he gets.  Mattie gets so mad, but when it’s time to head outside to play, or lay down she has her trusty dog right next to her.  I cannot believe the bond these two share, it’s amazing.  I’m so glad our friend brought Trip to our house rather than taking to the shelter first, or Mattie might not have experienced this awesome friendship between her and Trip, and Trip never leaves her side.  

It’s crazy how dogs know who needs them, but they do.  Trip knew that out of everyone in the house Mattie needed his friendship the most, and even as a puppy he is the most loyal friend anyone could ask for.  He looks out for her, loves her, sleeps on her, and follows her everywhere.  When you see Mattie if Trip is not right behind her but the time you count to 3 he will be right there.   

We seem to be the go-to house when someone finds a dog, cat, duck, or anything else because our friends see how much we love and value our animal’s companionship.   Unfortunately we cannot adopt them all.  So we choose to give back in other ways that we can.  

Be sure and purchase PEDIGREE® Brand or TEMPTATIONS® Brand products from Dollar General during the month of October, and help PEDIGREE – Foundation raise up to $50,000 for shelters in the United States!  Be sure to swing by the Dollar General website, and learn more and check out PEDIGREE dog treats.

Do you have any stories about a dog(s) that have come into your life, and left paw prints on your heart?  Leave me a comment below, I would love for you to share them with me.  

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42 comments

lisa October 8, 2013 - 12:14 pm
It is sad that people get a pet only to later abandon it. That's a really good idea to donate towels, etc.. to an animal shelter. I never considered it.
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Beth October 8, 2013 - 2:41 pm
We only use pedigree. Our last pup lived to almost 14 and my husband swears it was because of the food!
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Shar October 8, 2013 - 7:22 pm
I will be going to Dollar General to get some Pedigree. (We already use Pedigree for our dogs.) So cool that they are doing this. We are helping with a big project this weekend for a dog rescue facility. My husband & I are helping build a fence...hope it goes well. Love those animals.
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M.Clark October 8, 2013 - 9:35 pm
A lot of people adopt or buy pets because they have a child who wants a pet, but the child never learns to care for the pet. The pet ends up neglected and tied up outside without any socialization (which is very important for pets). The best thing that people can do, other than donating money, is not adopt a pet they have no intention of caring for.
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md kennedy October 9, 2013 - 12:16 am
I run my own TNR program in the neighborhood of our second home, and I tell you, your note on spay/neuter is CRITICAL. It is heartbreaking to see the suffering of so many animals when it could have been avoided with a relatively simple operation. And if you have financial trouble, there are so many programs to help you fix your cat or dog at low or no cost!
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Tracy @ Cotton Pickin Cute October 9, 2013 - 4:32 am
What a darling little girl you have. I love the cute pics you took. We're a pet loving family too and I can't imagine not having them. We buy a lot of things at Dollar General and knowing that Pedigree is doing something positive makes me like their company even more.
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Carissa Joslyn October 9, 2013 - 7:55 am
I'm a animal lover & Before I had kids..and when I had money I used to rescue abused animals or find strays get them fixed then adopt them out. All my pets (5 cats and 3 dogs ) are fixed. & I try and do what I can. Donate blankets, etc to shelters. I can't afford to help money wise, I'm a single mom of two. but I still try my best :)
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Betty October 9, 2013 - 8:21 am
We adopted 3 former easter bunnies over the years. They litterbox train quite easily and become devoted house pets if given the chance. They also have a throaty purr when happy. One would shake his head (hitting the ears together to make a noise) when he wanted us to pay attention to him. It was always fun to watch visitors jaws drop when this bunny would come tearing across the patio to jump up in my lap and purr while I scratched behind his ears. So many homeless animals willing to love
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Michelle S October 9, 2013 - 11:58 am
What a great story! I just love the picture of them sleeping. Thank you for reminding us of how to help animals.
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heidi eaton October 9, 2013 - 6:58 pm
In 2003 we were loosing our home due to loss of employment because of work injury. At that time there was a cat that made its home on our back porch. It only had 1 eye and was declawed so I don't know if some one left it there or if it found its way there on its own but we just couldn't leave it behind we ended up going homeless w/ the cat and our 120lb dog. We couldn't bring them to the shelter. We lived in a camper for a year w/these 2 animals. Animals are like your own children you wouldn't send your children to a shelter to be put down would you? So why would you do it to a pet that you've been caring for- for a number of years.
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Jeni Mitchell October 13, 2013 - 4:54 pm
You are so right Heidi. I hope you're back on your feet.
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Melissa Gonick October 9, 2013 - 11:21 pm
I think it is terrific that Pedigree is contributing to help shelters!!! I have been buying Pedigree for so many years for my dog.
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Julie simpson October 10, 2013 - 9:31 pm
We bred mini daschunds for a few years and when we were able we would take large bags of dog food to the shelter in our area large and small chew toys and scoop bags. These shelters are running on empty right now and any little thing helps.
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Gail Williams October 10, 2013 - 11:31 pm
The picture reminds me of my granddaughter and her dog Daisy who doesn't want to leave her side. Daisy has added a great deal of joy to her owners. Thanks for the advice to individuals who plan on getting a dog. My middle daughter is a vet tech and she ends up adopting some animals that are not adjusting to their owners. I'm a firm believer that animals teach children a great deal about life.
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sherry butcher October 11, 2013 - 7:59 am
Great info. I did not know about" Purchase PEDIGREE® Brand or TEMPTATIONS® Brand products from Dollar General during the month of October" to raise $50,000. I will they have great sales on dog treats my Blackie loves.
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Candace Calkins October 11, 2013 - 1:50 pm
Reading this most reminds me of my mom right away. She raised us with a love of animals, just like her. You're right-- we ALWAYS rescued dogs from the pound and they were always such amazing animals. Can't wait to tell my mom about the Pedigree!
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Maria Iemma October 11, 2013 - 1:53 pm
I always clip dog and cat foot coupons and I buy them at a good discount and then bring them over to our town's shelter. The shelter depends on donations to supplement their food supply.
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Randy Fulgham October 11, 2013 - 2:15 pm
this sounds like a real nice foundation--have a good day!!!
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Kristy S October 11, 2013 - 3:42 pm
We love animals too. We are going to read more about how I can help the Pedigree Foundation.
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carita acuna October 11, 2013 - 6:19 pm
Going to have the kids volunteer at the local shelter, should be a good experience for all
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Sandy Cain October 11, 2013 - 7:58 pm
Shelters are super-important. It's a blessing both for you and your family when you take in an animal that needs a loving family. Between 2005-2007, my roommates and I fostered and trained a total of 16 dogs (not all at once!), all of which where adopted into good homes. Support your local shelter, especially those with a "no-kill" policy!
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M.Clark October 11, 2013 - 9:59 pm
I used to volunteer at the local Humane Society and a lot of the animals are not just neglected but abused. People need to realize that yelling and swearing at a pet is abuse. I've heard it said that a dog is a child that never grows up. If you were to yell and swear at a child on a daily basis someone would probably call Child Protective Services. When people yell and swear at at their dog no one does anything. As I said before, people who do not have the patience to care for a dog (pet) should not adopt.
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Anna Johnson October 11, 2013 - 11:17 pm
We buy Pedigree for our dogs, so good to know it's helping shelters!
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marissa lee October 12, 2013 - 10:52 am
thank you for sharing...I love animals,i have a toy poodle and we love her to death,,she is one of the family.she brings so much joy in our lives.
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tiffany dover October 12, 2013 - 11:04 am
I thoroughly enjoy helping animals.....I hate to say it but sometimes I enjoy it more than I do helping our own kind simply because an animal isn't going to fake needing help! I do my best to donate to local animal shelters...I don't my time sometimes but mostly donate food, bedding, toys etc. Thank you for sharing this so others who don't know how to help, now can!
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Lisa Chapman October 12, 2013 - 12:04 pm
My first dog was a pit bull/boxer mix that I got from one of our local shelters. One of the best dogs I have ever had and one of the main reasons I fell in love with the pitbull breed. I currently volunteer at our no kill shelter and I have a real problem with wanting to bring every animal there home with me. I know I can't save every one of them but I try to save as many as I can!! :-)
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evelynchuter October 13, 2013 - 12:29 am
Thanks for the post. People need to know about the plight of animal shelters and the animals. My family are also animal lovers. Everyone!!! I just started to foster animals in need of a home. I was worried about the animals getting put down and I was told about the foster program. It's wonderful!
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nenasinclair October 13, 2013 - 2:46 am
This is a great cause! My entire family are animal lovers as well! I have my own little feeding program going on in my neighborhood because there are so many abandoned pets, it breaks my heart! And there's no shelter here. If I was to take them to animal control, they would be put down. I do what I can, but wish I could do more. Animals are amazing!
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Katt Lewis October 13, 2013 - 10:04 am
Not only shop at animal shelter thrift stores, but donate to them as well. Our county is so bad they are actually considering closing the humane society. The only other option would be animal control, and you know what that means.
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Olivia Douglass October 13, 2013 - 10:26 am
We rescued our dog Mack, from a shelter and always do our best to support the local ones as I know they need it. Thank you for sharing these great tips, we are always looking for other ways to donate/support.
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Gloria walshver October 13, 2013 - 2:20 pm
To send a dog to a shelter is a big crime,. shelters are in need of food and money for their animals without that they need to kill them.
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desiree (@desitheblonde) October 13, 2013 - 3:44 pm
the shelter here we are going to add another little monster for king to keep him comony i have to see if king want the buddy and then we give them alot of food and thing
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June S. October 13, 2013 - 10:23 pm
(6 WAYS TO HELP SHELTERS | HOW YOU CAN HELP THE PEDIGREE® FOUNDATION) This is another great cause to support. Have to keep our little fury friends safe and happy too.
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Anna Johnson October 13, 2013 - 10:33 pm
We feed our dogs pedigree. We donate to shelters too
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lola October 14, 2013 - 7:33 am
my cat is adopted and he is the cutest baby i have ever seen. so sweet
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Angel Heaven Lee October 14, 2013 - 7:58 pm
Thanks for posting this... It's nice for others to be able to see ideas to help shelters.. me, personally, I like to donate supplies and my personal time. :-)
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catia neves October 17, 2013 - 6:56 pm
I make voluntary job too
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Amanda October 17, 2013 - 9:32 pm
We are definitely animals lovers in our family too, in fact right now we are visiting shelters and trying to adopt a dog!
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Sarah C October 18, 2013 - 2:48 pm
I love love this post. I have always had dogs, and always find a way to contribute to my local shelter. Whether it be volunteering, donating, or adopting, theres always a way to help!
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Kathy Stuit October 19, 2013 - 3:47 am
What a wonderful post. I am a huge animal lover. I have a few friends who volunteer at the animal shelters in our area. I have heard some stories that are so sad. I know how important it is to help shelters. These animals didn't ask to be dumped on and we have to step up to help them. Thanks for sharing.
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Stephen January 20, 2014 - 10:08 am
That's a great and happy photo of your kid. I'm not so much into dogs, but it looks like she's having fun!
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Anita L January 31, 2014 - 6:52 am
This is such a touchy subject for me because I love animals beyond words. I have donated to shelters in the past, but perhaps not as much as I should. If there was one prayer I would wish to be answered in this world, it would be for everyone to care for animals as much as I do. Thank you for sharing this post. It's a nice reminder to everyone to do all you can to help animals in need.
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