Getting involved with a local shelter or rescue is easier than you might think. While you may be familiar with the idea of volunteering at a shelter or fostering dogs, there’s a new way to give back that requires little to no commitment on your part: recycling cans for a local shelter! Now you can simultaneously help the environment and animals. Talk about a win-win!
How to Recycle for a Shelter
4 Luv of Dog Rescue, a local shelter near dogIDs, has instilled a convenient system that lets people choose between two recycling methods. First, people can drop their cans in a bin at 4 Luv, and the shelter then takes the cans to the recycling center. The other way is to take their aluminum cans to the nearest recycling facilities and request that the check be sent to the rescue.
Recycling cans is something many of us do regularly anyway, so why not donate the proceeds to help some furry friends?
Does it really make a difference?
Absolutely. Every single can helps. To put it into perspective, the average amount that 4 Luv of Dog Rescue collects provides the following:
- 12 neuters per year OR
- Funding to pull 36 dogs from the pound annually OR
- Approximately 3 dozen bags of high quality dog food per year
In other words, a slight change in your recycling routine can make a big impact on a local shelter.
I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Recycling
The great thing about recycling is that, no matter who you are, everyone can participate in recycling. If you’re considering recycling, this could be just the boost you need to start.
If you’re a business, you could create a company-wide competition to see which department can collect the most cans! Winning team gets cake!
If you’re an active facility volunteer, you could take steps to bring a recycling program to the shelter you’re involved with. (see below)
Start Today
If you’re interested in bringing a recycling program to your local shelter, first discuss the possibility with head volunteers and/or board members. The next step would be to contact your local recycling center and ask if you can set up an account to have can donations be sent to your shelter on a specified time basis (weekly, monthly, bi-annually, etc.).
Once you’ve got a program in place: advertise, advertise, advertise. Odds are that the local community won’t know they have additional recycling options unless they are made aware of a new program.
How To Get Involved
Interested in doing even more than donating cans? Here’s a few possibilities for you to consider:
Volunteer
Almost every shelter facility struggles to find enough volunteers to look after the boarded dogs. Volunteer responsibilities include: feeding, walking, cleaning, and playing with the dogs. Most shelters are extremely flexible and have a variety of times available for volunteer options, so you can find a time that works with your schedule.
Foster
This entails letting a dog live with you until a permanent owner is found. Space is then freed up at the shelter, which allows more dogs to be taken in. In addition, the dog you foster will be far happier staying in a stable home than in a facility.
Financial Donations
Charitable giving supports everything involved with providing a dog with a new home. Your donation could assist with veterinary bills, food, and building maintenance so that the shelter can keep helping as many animals as possible. Plus, donations are tax deductible.
Everyone Wins
No matter what you do to contribute, you are helping a pet find a permanent home, happiness, and love. Not only will the dogs benefit from your support, but you will discover the true joy that accompanies the difference you’ve made. Together, we can make a difference.