organize a donation drive

What is a Donation Drive?
A Pet Supply Donation Drive is a group effort to encourage friends, family, neighbors and the community to donate items such as food, bedding, toys etc. to help meet the needs of  homeless animals.  These donations help us to provide top quality care for each animal.

What type of pet supply items should we collect?

• New or used dog/cat beds, towels and blankets, including cotton baby receiving blankets and sheets; cats and dogs love to snuggle in your old blankets!
• For the dogs and pups: unopened food with no food coloring, tennis balls, rawhide bones and kongs, stuffed toys (best without plastic eyes, noses, etc.)
• For the cats and kittens:  unopened food with no food coloring, cats toys, treats, Gerber baby food stage one for young kittens (turkey or chicken), tuna, unscented cat litter (non-clumping), Kitten Milk Replacement Formula, non-clumping, unscented cat litter
• For the small animals: small animal bedding (Aspen or recycled paper), food, timothy hay (2nd cut is best), toys (cardboard boxes with two entry points cut out, old phone books for shredding, hard plastic baby toys like rattles an keys, plastic cat toys)
• Bleach, paper towels, laundry detergent, other cleaning supplies.  
• NEW grooming supplies for dogs, cats and rabbits (such as brushes, combs, flea combs, nail clippers)

How do we get started?
Create posters asking people to donate pet supply items for your collection drive project.  You may be able to hang the posters in your school, at a pet supply store, a veterinarian’s office or throughout your neighborhood.  You will need to decide how you will collect the items and include that information on you posters.  Please call the ARL at 854-9771 ext. 110 when you’re ready to drop off your donations so we can be sure to thank you properly for your kindness!

You can also ask your friends to bring gifts or money for the shelter animals for your birthday party instead of giving gifts to you!


protect yourself

Like humans, animals have a natural mechanism to protect themselves from danger. Keep yourself safe around animals by following these rules:

What to do:

• ALWAYS ask a dog’s owner before you pet a dog.
• If the person says “Yes”, let the dog sniff the back of your hand, curling your fingers into your palm and extending your hand slowly toward her face.  She may want to sniff other parts of you, too.  That’s how a dog finds out who you are.
• Stand quietly with your eyes on the ground as you and the dog get to know each other.
• Scratch the dog under her chin.  Move and talk quietly and slowly.

What not to do:

• Never pet a dog without the owner’s permission.  Never approach a dog when his owner is not present.  You don’t know if the dog may be nervous or unfriendly.
• Never put your hand over or around a dog’s head.  These gestures can be threatening to a dog and can cause him to snap.
• Never put your face in a dog’s face, or stare into a dog’s eyes.  This is how dogs challenge each other to fight and it is considered very rude behavior to a dog.
• Never pet a dog from behind.  It can startle her and cause her to snap.
• Never run past or toward a dog.  Their natural instinct is to chase something that is running.
• Never jump, scream or wave your arms at a dog-even in play.  This can get the dog excited and can lead to rough play and biting.
• Never make fast, jerky movements, especially around a dog’s eyes or head.  This can seem like teasing and lead to snapping.
• Never disturb a dog who is eating or taking care of puppies.  She may feel protective of food or babies and think you are a threat.
• Never sic a dog on a friend while playing.  You will confuse the dog by teaching that it’s okay to attack sometimes.
• Never pet or pick up an injured animal, even your own.  Get help from a parent, adult friend, a veterinarian or an Animal Control Officer.

stop, drop and roll

How do you know if a dog or cat might bite?

A dog might have his hackles up. His hackles are the fur on the back of his neck and shoulders.  The fur along his back may be standing up. He might be growling or showing his teeth; he’s telling you “I’ll use them if I have to!” His body may be stiff and the whites of his eyes may be showing.  His might be tail straight up.

A cat may hiss or growl. She may puff out her fur to look bigger and more threatening.  Her eyes might be wide and dark.  Her tail may be twitching.  Stop approaching an animal that shows any of these sign

A cat may hiss or growl. She may puff out her fur to look bigger and more threatening.  Her eyes might be wide and dark.  Her tail may be twitching.  Stop approaching an animal that shows any of these signs!

Use the Stop, Drop and Roll guidelines developed by Dr. Emily Weiss, a well known and respected animal behaviorist:

STOP – Stop forward movement

DROP – Drop your eyes and shoulders (look at the ground and slouch your shoulders)

ROLL – Roll your shoulder away from the dog and stand sideways.  The dog will perceive this as much less threatening than standing straight toward him.

Remember, NEVER approach an animal you do not know.  It could be sick or injured.  If you see a stray animal, tell an adult.  Try to remember what the animal looked like, where you saw it and where it was heading. The adult can call the police and your local animal shelter. 

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