Shelter Pets Deserve Christmas Gifts, Too

Dogs need enrichment and stimulation while they wait for a family, and interactive toys can help pass the time. Kongs are classic — they help with shelter stress by getting a dog’s brain moving — plus there’s a tasty treat at the center.

Shelter dogs tend to scarf down their dinner because they don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Lick mats are a great way to not only slow down the eating process (and prevent stomach upset), but also make dinnertime a fun enrichment activity. Dog trainer Robert Haussman explains, “Soft foods, such as peanut butter or canned pumpkin, can be smeared on the textured surface for a dog to lick clean. To keep a dog stimulated and busy, they can also be frozen, which allows them to last much longer. It’s highly enjoyable, engaging, and — most importantly — delicious!”

Interactive cat toys, like this track toy, have been known to keep kitties so engaged that they help resolve litter box avoidance issues, cut down on overgrooming, curb anxiety, and keep their diet in check. It’s important to pay attention to the challenge level, though. So donate an easy, level one toy to shelter cats to avoid adding to their stress, (aka let them win).

Cats thrive when they have a safe place to hide. While it may sound counterintuitive, when a scared cat has a comforting place to burrow, they will come out of their shell more quickly over time. There are thousands to choose from, so be creative!

Your local shelter likely takes in senior dogs and cats who have been separated from their family and may be suffering from arthritis. Similarly, dogs recovering from orthopedic surgery would benefit from a high-quality, cleanable orthopedic bed to protect them from the concrete floor.

When shelter dogs go home with a high-quality collar and leash, their caretakers can feel good about their safety. But this means shelters and rescues go through a lot of equipment. Our picks include martingale collars that prevent a dog from slipping out, front-clip harnesses, and gentle leader headcollars that keep a dog who pulls on the leash or is leash reactive under control. Never purchase choke/prong collars or retractable/flexi-leashes. A simple and sturdy 6-foot nylon leash will work for all dogs. 

Shelter pets mean lots of cleanup. While they’re helping pets learn to poop and pee outside, mopping up spilled food and water, or trying to keep everyone healthy, animal organization workers and volunteers need as many cleaning supplies as they can get. The most-used products are dishwashing soap, bleach, hand sanitizer, and paper towels.

Every year, neonatal kittens who require specialized care enter shelters and rescues. They might be too young to eat on their own or with a mom cat who can’t nurse them all. These supplies help them through those first four to six weeks. Despite urban myths, kittens cannot survive on cow’s milk, and they require a specialized formula (and bottles to deliver it).

Besides being heart-stealers, puppies are totally messy. Donate disposable pee pads for the shelter or their foster parents.

Feeding hundreds of animals a day requires a lot of cat and dog food. Even if your shelter receives food directly from a pet food company, they may have a pantry for pets whose parents need some help. Check out their Amazon or Chewy Wish List to find out which brands and types of food are most needed.