25 Creative Ways to Help Pets This Holiday Season

Giving Tuesday is November 30th this year (the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving and the internationally recognized day to contribute to charity), and while we are all in for finding ways to help pets that day, we wondered what about the next day, and the day after that?

So, we decided to think of #givingtuesday as just the start of the "giving season." With so much to be thankful for and with awareness that gratitude is the attitude we want to put into the world, we've come up with 25 ways to help pets—you can do them in 25 days or whenever works for you. Other ideas? Please share them in the comments below. We would love to know how you're giving back this year.

Thousands of active or retired military working dogs would love a little holiday cheer. See how you can send a care package or make a donation through the United States War Dogs Association. 

While the squirrels, birds and other critters who populate your yard during winter might not technically be "pets," one of the best ways to help pets is ensuring the diversity of species that's critical to a healthy planet to sustain them. We love this recipe!

Dog-friendly Jingle Bell Run events happen during December, but why not make it an everyday thing. ResQwalk is an app that lets you raise money and resources for your favorite animal welfare organization, and all you have to do is walk! 

While many pets are just fine being boarded, how much better for them to stay at home while their folks are away. Offer your services for a day, a few days or longer and be rewarded with wags and kisses. Here are tips to get you started.

Animal shelters and rescue groups do their best to keep pets in their care clean and tidy... but they could use a little help. A groomed pet is more likely to be adopted. One of our favorite ways to help pets is to volunteer a day of bathing and brushing. Better yet, see if your local groomer might want to join in. They often volunteer their services to groom pets in need.

Organize a craft night or take a day and upcycle some of your used clothing to make a blanket or sweater for a shelter animal who needs comfort and care. Here is a great tutorial. More? Make curtains to provide shelter cats with some stress-reducing privacy. 

While preferable, it's not always possible to capture a homeless animal. Having basics such as food, water and bedding in your car to offer an animal in need can be the difference between life or death. Take a day to pack up a box of supplies to have at the ready.

Now is a great time to factor end-of-year charitable donations to benefit an animal shelter or rescue organization or other group that supports the welfare of animals. Sustained funding is one of the best ways to help pets. Here's a tool to help you decide to which to give.

Staff at your local shelter or rescue are likely swamped with the basics of caring for animals. Offer to transport a pet to a vet appointment or to another rescue group that has room or even to a new adopting family who lives out of the area. And be sure to pack treats!

Donate your specialized skills to support your local animal shelter or rescue. From accounting and legal services to creative communications, there is a role for everyone. Need inspiration? This couple are professional photographers who volunteer their skills to take beautiful images of pets up for adoption.

Look, you're probably not going anywhere anytime soon, right? Why not put those thousands of air miles to great use by donating them to an organization that transports animals in need. Here is a round-up of airlines that allow you to transfer air miles.

This one seems easy, but for many of us living in a vortex of stress and work, the thought of taking 20 minutes to just sit on the floor with a pet is guilt-inducing. Don't go there! Make a play date with your pet today and then make it habit. Need more convincing? Look to the science.

There are plenty of reasons why a pet needs the temporary safe space of a foster home, but for us, the whys don't matter. The holidays can be a tough time at a shelter or rescue with fewer regular volunteers. If you can open your home, make a call today and see how you can help. Find tips for fostering dogs and cats. 

Do animals know it's Christmas? Well, they know something's up, so why not just go with it and make their season bright with vet-approved homemade goodies you can bake in an afternoon and donate to a shelter or rescue. Cookies, doggy donuts or mini-muffins or any sort of treats for the sweet!

It's estimated that we will need to reforest our planet with 1 billion trees to ensure clean water and air, diverse species and full, healthy forests for future generations of people and pets. You can donate in your pet's name and be part of the solution. Find out more here. 

One of the surest ways to give back that is always appreciated by humans and canines alike during the nutty holiday season, is to grab a leash and walk the neighbor's dog (with their permission of course!).

Most shelters and rescues have a wish list of items that they prioritize above all other material donations. Start a digital campaign using any of the crowd funding apps and raise funds to purchase from their list. Find a shelter or rescue near you to shop their wish list.

Help your local shelter, rescue or other animal charity get the word out by giving them a shout out on your social media channels and sharing their good works with your network. Every click counts!

You can make sure that a particular pet currently in a shelter or rescue has everything they need by becoming their sponsor. Every organization's program is different—find out more here.

It's a labor of love to be sure. Let's reward these heroes by "adopting" them and lavishing some appreciation and a bit of pampering on them. Have lunch delivered, drop off a gift certificate, or give them the gift of time by taking on tasks such as walking or petting shelter animals. Why not start today? Find a facility near you.

No, it's not as fun or romantic as baking cookies for shelter pets, but providing for your pet in case you become incapacitated is one sure way to ensure they do not end up in difficult circumstances. Setting up a pet trust is easy and important.

As we mentioned there are food banks for pets, but many pet parents will go to regular food banks as well as meal centers and pantries with their beloved pets in tow. Help make sure pets get the food they need by donating canned or bagged foods. Check with your local organization to get details.

If you are a business owner, consider donating a percentage of each product sold on a given day to an animal support organization. Ask local businesses to be part of a one day event. It all adds up!

It's a fact that pets groove on being read to despite likely not knowing what you are talking about. Reading to animals reduces stress and promotes a sense of connection and well-being. What to read? Try this original holiday poem we wrote just for you (and them).

If you have the time, circumstances and resources to make adoption a success, you can change the life of homeless pet in need. While it is tempting to bring a new pet into the family at the holiday, many experts advise waiting until after when things are less overwhelming. A video of the new family member might be a better idea. Nearly 1 million pets in the US went to their forever homes in 2021. Let's top that in 2022.