Caring for your own furry family is one of the most rewarding aspects of modern living. Pets need shelter, food, fresh water, appropriate medical care and tons of love and attention. If you are unable to provide for these basic needs (be it for economic, time or space reasons), it doesn’t mean you love animals any less. There is a silver lining to this bleak cloud: you can STILL be a pet hero to other animals! It just requires some time and creative thinking.
The NSPCA needs you!
The National Council of SPCAs, who is opposed to animal cruelty, has a list of ways you can help by being more animal-conscious. From eating less meat (and thus not supporting cruel factory farming practices); to not attending and supporting circuses with wild animal acts; to supporting the NSPCA with monthly donations towards their Adopt-a-Project initiative – these are all crucial ways for you to be an animal hero! Visit their website to find out how you can contribute to a myriad of animal causes.
Become a volunteer
Devoting your time and attention to the care of animals who are waiting for their forever homes is a noble cause that will surely reward you with a hero’s cape! SPCAs and welfare organisations are usually over-crowded and under-staffed, so they rely heavily on selfless volunteers to help them out. Volunteer work entails unglamorous tasks like topping up food bowls, cleaning cages, bathing dogs and ensuring the basic care of all the animals. But the rewards of volunteering far exceed the demands, in that you get to walk the dogs and interact with furry friends, especially friendly felines, who are so desperate for any human attention they can get. Some volunteer work will also be focused on fundraising and marshalling at special animal events. Volunteering is sometimes challenging work, but is a hero’s job ever easy?
A note on volunteering
Each SCPA and animal welfare organisation will have their own rules and processes for volunteering. Some will require an admin fee (also deemed a donation) for processing your application forms and making sure each applicant is serious. Keep in mind that these protocols are in place for the wellbeing of the animals in their care. If you are committed to helping, comply with their rules and be a reliable and present volunteer.
Be a foster parent
If you’re unable to commit to a long-term pet relationship, but you have the time and resources for short-term care then fostering is the way to go! Keep in mind that SPCAs don’t have foster programmes, but there are many local shelters and welfare organisations that have dire space shortages and need foster solutions as ‘halfway houses’ for their animals. It will be your responsibility to provide basic care for your fosters and, depending on the organisation you’re assisting, you may or may not be expected to cover food and medical costs. Be sure to confirm these details before you avail yourself for fostering.
Regular donations
Every single animal welfare organisation needs financial resources. If you don’t have the space for adopting or fostering and you don’t have the time for volunteering, then consider making regular donations to one, a few or many animal shelters. Pet care costs money, so donate the money you would have spent on a pet – it will go a long way to helping shelter animals in need. You can set up monthly debit orders to the welfare organisations of your choice.
Also consider making the NSPCA, your local SPCA or your chosen shelter a beneficiary in your will. If you love animals, this is a great way to leave a loving legacy after your death.
Don’t know where to start?
Here is a list of animal welfare organisations in South Africa. Find one that’s closest to you and enquire about what they need most and how you can help. Even if you don’t have a pet, there are thousands out there that need the hero in you!
