Black Friday, Shop and Donate for Animals
I saw the kitty above when I was on one of my local trails this past weekend. Judging by where I was when I saw him and the state of his fur I would guess this kitty did not have a home to he thankful for this Thanksgiving. As he moved away and crossed the trail I could see a kink in his tail and ripples through his fur, signs of scars and a life lived outdoors.
I had nothing to catch him with, I was on my bicycle and rain was threatening, and I decided against any type of pursuit. “You can’t save them all,” I have always had to tell myself.
But I should save the ones I can save, and while I may not have been able to catch this kitty that day or return with a trap and food later, I can always support someone who can or the network of organizations that help all animals.
Therefore, on Black Friday, keep kitties like this guy in mind as you plan your activities.
You can support a local TNR effort with a donation or even volunteer efforts at a clinic. If you know someone who manages a colony, take advantage of Black Friday sales to buy cat food and give it to them.
Likewise, buy a case or two of canned cat or dog food to donate to your local shelter and deliver it on Black Friday—or any Friday!
Visit a shelter and adopt if you can, become a foster family or just pet the cats and walk a dog or two and make a donation.
Many shelters have wish lists published on their websites including things they need or would like to have but can’t quite afford or which will offset operating costs, and on these lists you’ll find the usual stuff such as food and litter, but also items that might surprise you such as office furniture, cleaning supplies, even a car. Check the lists and see if there is anything you can supply.
These are just a few things you can do today to turn the consumer power of Black Friday to the good of animals. Make sure the animals or the people who help them are on your list.
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That is a great picture. Our local supermarket has a tub by the door where you can put cat and dog food donations for local rescue centres. I think it is a great idea if you can’t actually get to a centre yourself.
Carolyn, I like the photo too, I just wish the kitty wasn’t outdoors as he is. But I love to see when shops or even offices have a bin for pet food for donation. I know for some small organizations it’s made all the difference in the world.
I think he would be grateful if you or a local TNR Group could set a humane trap and monitor it — and of course where there is one there are others. Probably a dumping ground for peoples’ unwanted pets — sigh…..
Ace, it’s a rather remote rural area, and the trail is an old railway line, so it’s either what feels like a safe place for scared kitties or it really is a kitty dumping ground. I don’t know anyone in the area who manages a colony, and the closest TNR is pretty far away. Let’s hope for the best.