Scott County Animal Shelter Receives Emergency Grant After Devastating Fire

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The Scott County Animal Shelter in Gate City, Virginia, will receive an emergency grant of $3,000 from The Humane Society of the United States. The grant will help fund rebuilding efforts after a fire destroyed the animal shelter on December 3. No lives were lost in the fire, but animals are being boarded at local veterinary clinics, boarding kennels and in foster homes. 

The HSUS was alerted to the situation by the Scott County Humane Society, which partners with the county to arrange support and raise funds for the animals’ care and a new shelter building. According to shelter and humane society leaders, the community is responding with generosity, but more help will be needed to rebuild a strong program and safe facility.

Anyone interested in making a financial or in-kind donation of needed supplies, or who may be available to foster an animal should contact the Scott County Humane Society at 276-452-7247, or info@scotthumane.org. For updates, visit www.scotthumane.org.

Media Contact: Cheylin Parker; 240-599-6848, cparker@humanesociety.org

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How to Sleep like a Baby

It’s 3:00 a.m. where are you? Most people would probably be asleep. However, for a large majority of people, it is near impossible for them to get a good nights rest. Without it, they are unable to focus well, they have low energy, and let’s face it, they are usually in a not so good mood. Is there anything that the sleep deprived can do in order to help give their body the much needed sleep it needs? Aside from counting sheep, which rarely works, try some of the suggestions below.

First, start out by examining your bedroom for sleep distractions. Sleep distractions would be such things as clutter, the color of the paint, the noise level, etc. If your room is painted in bright, electrifying colors, you may want to consider painting it a soothing cool color. A pale green or a soothing blue would be good choices. You can’t expect to be able to sleep if the paint in your bedroom is so bright that it looks like an airport runway.

If your room is cluttered, consider scheduling a spring cleaning day and get rid of all those unwanted sleep thieves. If a room is cluttered, it gives our mind more things to focus on and think about during the night instead of sleep. Your bedroom is supposed to be your sanctuary, and let’s face it, who wants piles of bills or junk mail in their sanctuary? Not too many people.

As far as the noise level goes, this is different for each person. Some people enjoy some form of noise while they sleep and may even purchase a noise machine, while others have to have quiet. If you fall into the latter category, try purchasing some heavy drapes to see if they block out any of the unwanted noise. While the drapes probably won’t get rid of every unwanted noise, you will notice a big difference.

Next, try not to exercise before going to bed. I’m not saying don’t exercise at all, because exercise is good for us, but we all know that exercise releases endorphins which amp us up. You can’t expect to be able to go to sleep if you feel like you could run a marathon. Try to keep exercise to either early in the mornings or to around four hours before bedtime. This will give your body time to calm down and will help you to drift off to sleep much easier.

Another suggestion to help you get a good nights sleep would be to take a nice warm bath just before you are ready to go to bed. The warm bath will not only help you to relax physically, but it will also give your brain some time to unwind as well. It doesn’t have to be a long bath, just 10 or 15 minutes should do the trick. As you are letting the water out of the tub, picture your troubles and cares being washed down the drain. A mind that is not burdened with troubles is a mind that can easily drift off to sleep.

Lighting is another issue that effects sleep. If your bedroom window lets the light of a nearby street light into your bedroom, you might want to try some of those room darkening curtains to eliminate that problem. If you can’t find any or can’t afford them, try putting a quilt up instead. If your curtain rods are sturdy, they will usually hold up the extra weight of the quilt. Either of these two things will help darken your bedroom and help you drift off to what could be the best nights sleep you’ve had in a while.

Of course, don’t forget to flip your mattress every so often to keep it from getting worn. However, if your mattress is not in good shape and you can’t afford to buy a new one (because we know they don’t come cheap), consider buying a mattress topper. This will give you the sense of a new mattress, but will cost you a fraction of the price. Toppers come in a variety of styles, and it is up to you to find the one that suits your needs.

The last tip, try and keep the temperature in your bedroom at a comfortable level. You don’t want the temperature too hot or too cold. You want it just right. Again, it is up to you, as an individual, to decide what your perfect temperature is. Try these few tips out and see if they help you get the peaceful nights slumber your body has been missing. Pleasant dreams sleep deprived.

How to Sleep like a Baby

It’s 3:00 a.m. where are you? Most people would probably be asleep. However, for a large majority of people, it is near impossible for them to get a good nights rest. Without it, they are unable to focus well, they have low energy, and let’s face it, they are usually in a not so good mood. Is there anything that the sleep deprived can do in order to help give their body the much needed sleep it needs? Aside from counting sheep, which rarely works, try some of the suggestions below.

First, start out by examining your bedroom for sleep distractions. Sleep distractions would be such things as clutter, the color of the paint, the noise level, etc. If your room is painted in bright, electrifying colors, you may want to consider painting it a soothing cool color. A pale green or a soothing blue would be good choices. You can’t expect to be able to sleep if the paint in your bedroom is so bright that it looks like an airport runway.

If your room is cluttered, consider scheduling a spring cleaning day and get rid of all those unwanted sleep thieves. If a room is cluttered, it gives our mind more things to focus on and think about during the night instead of sleep. Your bedroom is supposed to be your sanctuary, and let’s face it, who wants piles of bills or junk mail in their sanctuary? Not too many people.

As far as the noise level goes, this is different for each person. Some people enjoy some form of noise while they sleep and may even purchase a noise machine, while others have to have quiet. If you fall into the latter category, try purchasing some heavy drapes to see if they block out any of the unwanted noise. While the drapes probably won’t get rid of every unwanted noise, you will notice a big difference.

Next, try not to exercise before going to bed. I’m not saying don’t exercise at all, because exercise is good for us, but we all know that exercise releases endorphins which amp us up. You can’t expect to be able to go to sleep if you feel like you could run a marathon. Try to keep exercise to either early in the mornings or to around four hours before bedtime. This will give your body time to calm down and will help you to drift off to sleep much easier.

Another suggestion to help you get a good nights sleep would be to take a nice warm bath just before you are ready to go to bed. The warm bath will not only help you to relax physically, but it will also give your brain some time to unwind as well. It doesn’t have to be a long bath, just 10 or 15 minutes should do the trick. As you are letting the water out of the tub, picture your troubles and cares being washed down the drain. A mind that is not burdened with troubles is a mind that can easily drift off to sleep.

Lighting is another issue that effects sleep. If your bedroom window lets the light of a nearby street light into your bedroom, you might want to try some of those room darkening curtains to eliminate that problem. If you can’t find any or can’t afford them, try putting a quilt up instead. If your curtain rods are sturdy, they will usually hold up the extra weight of the quilt. Either of these two things will help darken your bedroom and help you drift off to what could be the best nights sleep you’ve had in a while.

Of course, don’t forget to flip your mattress every so often to keep it from getting worn. However, if your mattress is not in good shape and you can’t afford to buy a new one (because we know they don’t come cheap), consider buying a mattress topper. This will give you the sense of a new mattress, but will cost you a fraction of the price. Toppers come in a variety of styles, and it is up to you to find the one that suits your needs.

The last tip, try and keep the temperature in your bedroom at a comfortable level. You don’t want the temperature too hot or too cold. You want it just right. Again, it is up to you, as an individual, to decide what your perfect temperature is. Try these few tips out and see if they help you get the peaceful nights slumber your body has been missing. Pleasant dreams sleep deprived.

Are You Having Trouble Affording Your Pet?

Check our list of national and state resources for pet owners in need

• 

Below is a comprehensive list of pet financial aid-related organizations.

Some are listed nationwide, and some are listed alphabetically by state.

NOTICE: If your animal requires emergency veterinary care and you cannot afford treatment, click here to contact groups or veterinary schools that may help. If you are unsure what qualifies as emergency veterinary care, call your veterinarian and describe the symptoms.

If your organization is offering assistance (such as pet food, discounted veterinary services including spay/neuter, temporary foster care, etc.) to individuals facing financial difficulties due to the current economic situation, please let us know about your programs by emailing us at petfriendly@humanesociety.org.

Find a free or low-cost spay or neuter »

National organizations that provide financial assistance to pet owners in need

Please keep in mind that each organization is independent and has their own set of rules and guidelines. Therefore you will have to investigate each one separately to determine if you qualify for assistance:

The Big Hearts Fund: financial assistance for the diagnosis and treatment of canine and feline heart disease
Brown Dog Foundation: prescription medications 
Canine Cancer Awareness
Cats In Crisis
The Dog & Cat Cancer Fund
God's Creatures Ministry Veterinary Charity
IMOM
Joshua Louis Animal Cancer Foundation: Under the JLACF's bylaws as approved by the IRS, grants can only be provided for pets under the care of a board-certified veterinary oncologist.
Magic Bullet Fund: cancer-specific
The Mosby Fund
The Onyx & Breezy Foundation
Paws 4 A Cure
The Pet Fund
Pets of the Homeless: pet food and veterinary care assistance for homeless
The Riedel & Cody Fund: support for pets suffering with cancer
RedRover Relief
Rose's Fund
Shakespeare Animal Fund
Top Dog Foundation "Bentley Grant": for senior dogs (age 10 and over; breed taken into consideration when determining what is "senior")

Assistance by state

AL | AK | | AZ | AR | CA | CO | CT | DE | DC | FL | GA | HI | ID | IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | LA | ME | MD | MA | MI | MN | MS | MO | MT | NE | NV | NH | NJ | NM | NY | NC | ND | OH | OK | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN | TX | UT | VT | VA | WA | WV | WI | WY | Puerto Rico

Alabama

Alabama Animal Adoption Society: Homewood (spay/neuter assistance)

Alabama Animal Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic: Montgomery (spay/neuter assistance)

The Animal Friends Humane Society: Decatur (pet food/litter, spay/neuter assistance)

Alabama Veterinary Medical Association: Statewide (spay/neuter support for residents on public assistance) 334-395-0086

American Veterinary Medical Foundation: Multiple locations (disaster-related grants)

Friends of Cats and Dogs Foundation: Birmingham (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Greater Huntsville Humane Society: Huntsville (veterinary assistance and spay/neuter assistance)

Macon County Humane Society: Tuskegee (spay/neuter assistance)

Mobile SPCA: Mobile (spay/neuter assistance)

Shelby Humane Society: Columbiana (spay/neuter assistance)

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Alaska

Alaska SPCA: Anchorage (low-cost spay/neuter, vaccines, pet food bank)

Friends of Pets: Anchorage (spay/neuter vouchers)

STOP the Overpopulation of Pets: (spay/neuter vouchers)

Straw for Dogs (free resources and supplies for pets outdoors)

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Arizona

Altered Tails Barnhart Clinic: Phoenix and Mesa (low-cost spay/neuter clinic)

Animal Guardian Network: Cave Creek (pet food)

Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA: Phoenix (low-cost veterinary clinic)

Chuck Waggin’ Pet Food Pantry: Phoenix (pet food)

Empty Bowl Pet Food Pantry: Pet assistance for disaster victims and veterans, seniors, domestic violence victims, functionally disabled people with service animals, homeless and near homeless people; special programs include pet food and supplies, temporary housing for emergencies. See map for locations and services, which change regularly.

Lost Our Home Pet Foundation: Scottsdale (pet food, temporary foster program)

Payson Humane Society: Payson (spay/neuter assistance)

Pets In Need Action League: Casa Grande (pet food pantry)

Scottsdale P.E.T.: Scottsdale (pet food pantry)

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Arkansas

All About Labs: Statewide (temporary housing/foster for dogs and cats, not just labs; pet food; spay/neuter, vaccinations, heartworm prevention and flea/tick treatments)

Bella Vista Animal Shelter: Bella Vista (spay/neuter assistance; contact BVAS for additional services)

For Pets' Sake Best Friends Program: Springdale, NW Arkansas (microchipping, Best Friends Senior Program includes pet food, assistance for veterinary care, transportation to veterinarian and groomer, temporary foster program if hospitalized for seniors in Northwest Arkansas)

Fuzzy Hearts Animal Rescue: Van Buren County (spay/neuter & pet food assistance)
501-208-4160

Humane Society of Saline County: Benton (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Northeast Arkansas for Animals (NAFA): Jonesboro (pet food, vaccination assistance)

Out Of The Woods Rescue and Referral: Little Rock (pet food, spay/neuter assistance, temporary foster program, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care)

Ranger's Pet Food Bank: (pet food for qualified Fayetteville residents)

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California

The ACME Foundation: Clearlake (veterinary care assistance for senior and disabled pet owners)

Actors and Others for Animals: Greater Los Angeles area (pet food, spay/neuter assistance, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care)

Animal Assistance League of Orange County: Orange County (pet food, transportation and veterinary care assistance)

Animal Health Foundation: Los Angeles and Orange Counties (veterinary care assistance)

AnimalSave: Green Valley (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Bad Rap: San Francisco (pit bull-specific assistance for finding rental housing and insurance)

California Department of Social Services Assistance Dog Special Allowance (ADSA) Program: Statewide (provides monthly stipend to eligible persons who use a guide, signal, or service dog)

Cat People: Bakersfield (cat food/litter, spay/neuter assistance, vaccination assistance)
661-327-4706

Cats in Need (of Human Care): Southern California, multiple locations (spay/neuter assistance)

The Chester Foundation: Sacramento region (veterinary care assistance)

FixNation: Los Angeles (spay/neuter assistance for cats)

Friends of Long Beach Animals: Long Beach (spay/neuter assistance)

Haven Humane Society: Redding (low-cost spay/neuter, pet food assistance, emergency veterinary grants for residents receiving Medi-Cal or Medicare)
Clinic: 530-241-1658; Shelter: 530-241-1653

Helen Woodward Animal Center: Rancho Santa Fe (pet food)

Helen Woodward Animal Center Animeals program: San Diego County (free pet food for the dogs and cats of elderly or disabled people)

Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley: San Bernardino (low-cost spay/neuter)

Keep Your Pet: Sacramento (behavior assistance, veterinary care assistance, services for seniors)

LA Animal Services: Los Angeles (spay/neuter, vaccination and microchip assistance)

Marin Humane Society: Novato (pet care assistance to low-income seniors, persons living with HIV/AIDS and those receiving hospice services; please see website for complete list of services)

Mercy Crusade's Spay and Neuter Clinic: Oxnard (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Mojave Desert Animal Rescue: Western Mojave Desert (pet food & supplies and veterinary assistance for homeless, unemployed, disabled, and senior pet guardians)

Mountains' Humane Society: Lake Arrowhead (pet food, spay/neuter assistance) 

Napa Humane: Napa (spay/neuter assistance)

Ohlone Humane Society Special Assistance Program: Fremont, Union City, and Newark (veterinary care assistance, pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Orange County SPCA Animal Rescue Fund: Orange County (assistance for veterinary care including spay/neuter)

Palo Alto Humane Society: Palo Alto (spay/neuter assistance, assistance for emergency veterinary care)

PALS: Pets Are Loving Support (veterinary care assistance programs for senior, disabled or ill pet owners)

Pasadena Humane Society: Pasadena (spay/neuter assistance)

PAWS/LA: Hollywood (pet food and supplies, veterinary medical care assistance, grooming, spay/neuter, veterinary care assistance programs for senior, disabled or ill pet owners, and other services)

PAWS San Francisco: veterinary care assistance programs for senior, disabled or ill pet owners

Peninsula CatWorks: veterinary care assistance for cats only

Pet Assistance Foundation: Multiple Locations, Southern California (spay/neuter assistance for dogs, cats, and rabbits)

Pet Orphans of Southern California: Van Nuys (veterinary care assistance)

The Pet Rescue Center's Pet Pantry: Orange County (pet food, litter, and flea treatments for unemployed, senior, or disabled pet owners)

Pets Are Wonderful Support: San Diego (pet food/litter, pet supplies, veterinary assistance, animal transport, temporary foster program, veterinary care assistance programs for senior, disabled or ill pet owners)

Placer SPCA SOS Program: Placer County (rental deposits, temporary boarding, pet food and veterinary care assistance)

Rescuing Unwanted Furry Friends (RUFF): Laguna Beach (pet food)

Riverside County Department of Animal Services: Riverside (spay/neuter assistance)

Sacramento SPCA: Sacramento (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

The Sam Simon Foundation: Los Angeles (free surgery for non-orthopedic procedures; free spay/neuter operations, including vaccinations, flea control, deworming, nail trims, and antibiotics)

Sammie's Friends: Grass Valley (veterinary care assistance)

San Francisco SPCA Animal Hospital: veterinary care assistance programs for senior, disabled or ill pet owners, spay/neuter assistance

Santa Cruz SPCA: Santa Cruz (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Santa Maria Valley Humane Society: Santa Maria (spay/neuter assistance, microchips, pet food bank)

SEAACA: Downey (veterinary medical care assistance, spay/neuter, vaccination assistance)

Sequoia Humane Society: Eureka (spay/neuter assistance)

SHARE Marin Humane Society: veterinary care assistance programs for senior, disabled or ill pet owners

Spay Neuter Animal Network (SPAN): Ventura (spay/neuter assistance)

SPCA for Monterey County: Monterey (pet food, spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation: Walnut Creek (pet food, spay/neuter assistance, emergency veterinary assistance)

VET SOS: San Francisco (free veterinary care and supplies for pets of the homeless)

Voice for the Animals Foundation: Santa Monica (veterinary care assistance)

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Colorado

Ark-Valley Humane Society: Buena Vista (pet food)

The Cartwright Foundation: Denver/Front Range region (veterinary care assistance)

Cat Care Society: Lakewood (spay/neuter assistance, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care)

Colorado State University Companion Care Fund: Fort Collins (veterinary care assistance)

Colorado State University Pets Forever Program: Larimer County (various services for low-income or disabled pet-owners)

Denkai Animal Sanctuary: Northern Colorado (spay/neuter and veterinary assistance)

Dreampower Animal Rescue: Colorado Springs (temporary foster program)

Every Creature Counts: Fort Lupton (spay/neuter assistance)

The Feline Fix: Denver (spay/neuter assistance)

For Pets' Sake Humane Society: Cortez (assistance for emergency veterinary care, spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic: Fort Collins (assistance with pet food, spay/neuter, vaccinations and financial assistance for sugeries)

Friends of the Aspen Animal Shelter: Aspen (spay/neuter assistance)

Good Samaritan Pet Center: Denver (spay/neuter assistance)

Humane Society of Pagosa Springs: Pagosa Springs (spay/neuter assistance, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care)

League for Animals and People of the Summit (LAPS):: Summit County (financial assistance to low-income families living or working in Summit County, for pet spay/neuter, life-shortening illnesses or unexpected high vet bills; discounted spay/neuter vouchers for higher incomes)

MaxFund: Denver (pet food, spay/neuter assistance, vaccination assistance)

PAWS Colorado: Denver metro area (pet food, cat litter, veterinary care assistance/volunteers to aid low-income persons with HIV/AIDS and other debilitating illnesses)

PetAid Colorado: Denver (assistance with veterinary care including spay/neuter)

Pikes Peak Pet Pantry: Colorado Springs (pet food/litter, pet supplies, pet prescription diet assistance, and grooming assistance)

SpayToday: Lakewood (low-cost spay/neuter)

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Connecticut

Connecticut Humane Society: Newington (assistance for necessary veterinary medical care including spay/neuter and vaccination assistance, pet food bank) or Connecticut Humane Society Fox Veterinary Clinic (veterinary care assistance)

Dogology: (pet food pantry available to residents referred by food bank administrators in the Farmington Valley)

The Friends of Windsor Animal Care and Control Inc.: Windsor (pet food assistance)

Milford Animal Control: Milford (pet food bank)

STARelief and Pet Assistance: Statewide (veterinary care grant program, pet food, temporary fostering/emergency shelter and pet hospice care)

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Delaware

Delaware Humane Association: Wilmington (pet food/supplies, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care)

Delaware Office of Animal Welfare: Statewide (low-cost spay/neuter for income-eligible applicants)

Delaware SPCA: New Castle and Sussex Counties (pet food pantry, low-cost spay/neuter and wellness services)

Grass Roots Rescue Society: Statewide, including adjacent Maryland counties (assistance with vet care costs, including spay/neuter, for the pets of people with limited income and stray or feral cats)

Faithful Friends, Inc: Wilmington (pet food and supplies, spay/neuter assistance)

Forgotten Cats, Inc: Wilmington (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

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District of Columbia

Capital Animal Care Mobile Spay/neuter Clinic: pet food, supplies and spay/neuter assistance

PETS-DC: veterinary care assistance programs for senior, disabled or ill pet owners

Washington Animal Rescue League: pet food and supplies, discounted veterinary care including spay/neuter and vaccination assistance

Washington Humane Society (spay/neuter assistance)

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Florida

Alachua County Humane Society: Gainesville (pet food)

American Veterinary Medical Foundation

Animal Coalition of Tampa (ACT): Tampa (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Animal Emergency Hospital of St. Johns: St. Augustine (low cost spay/neuter, vaccines, heartworm prevention)

Bright Paw Pet food Bank: Melbourne (pet food assistance)
321-733-7672

Central Brevard Humane Society: Cocoa (assistance for veterinary care including spay/neuter)

Collier Spay Neuter Clinic: Southwest Florida (spay/neuter assistance)

Fairy Tail Endings, Inc.: Sarasota and Manatee Counties (veterinary and pet product assistance)

First Coast No More Homeless Pets, Inc.: Jacksonville (free and low-cost spay/neuter, veterinary care assistance)

Frankie's Friends: Tampa/Clearwater areas (cancer specific—veterinary care assistance)

Humane Society of Broward County: Ft. Lauderdale (low-cost spay/neuter)

Humane Society of Pinellas: Clearwater (pet health clinic, affordable spay/neuter, pet food pantry, pet food delivery program for senior pet owners)

Humane Society of Tampa Bay: Tampa Bay (pet food, discounted/free vaccinations)

The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River Co.: Vero Beach (pet food, spay/neuter assistance, limited medical assistance)
772-388-3331

Pasco Animal Welfare Society (PAWS): Port Richey (spay/neuter assistance)

Pet Project for Pets: Oakland Park (provides pet food and supplies for terminally ill, disabled and senior pet owners)

Spay Shuttle: Palm Beach County (spay/neuter assistance)

Pinellas Alternatives to Shelter Surrender (PASS): Pinellas County (referrals for spay/neuter, veterinary assistance, pet supplies, pet-friendly housing, dog training; run by the Humane Society of Pinellas.)

SPCA of Central Florida: Orlando (pet food, spay/neuter assistance, temporary foster program, discounted veterinary care)

SPCA Suncoast: New Port Richey (pet food)

SPCA Tampa Bay: Tampa Bay (spay/neuter assistance)

SPOT Low Cost Spay/neuter Clinic: Pinellas Park (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

St. Francis Animal Hospital: Jacksonville (assistance for veterinary care including spay/neuter)

TLC PetSnip, Inc.: Polk County (low-cost spay/neuter services, trap-neuter-return for feral cats, vaccinations, microchipping, de-worming and flea treatment, heartworm testing)

You Can Make a Difference, Inc.: Gadsen County (spay/neuter vouchers, pet food assistance, emergency veterinary assistance) 

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Georgia

Carroll County Humane Society's West Georgia Spay/neuter Clinic: Villa Rica (spay/neuter assistance)

Cherokee County Humane Society: Acworth (spay/neuter assistance)

Daffy's Pet Soup Kitchen: Lilburn (pet food and supplies, spay/neuter assistance, temporary foster program, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care)

Georgia Animal Project: North Georgia (spay/neuter clinic)

Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia: Statewide (spay/neuter, vaccination, microchipping and pet food assistance)

LifeLine Animal Project: Atlanta (spay/neuter assistance)

PALS: Pets Are Loving Support: (veterinary care assistance programs for senior, disabled or ill pet owners)

PAWS Atlanta: Atlanta (spay/neuter assistance)

Project CatSnip: Atlanta (spay/neuter assistance)

Spay Georgia: statewide (spay/neuter assistance)

Stopping Pet Overpopulation Together (SPOT): Atlanta (spay/neuter assistance)

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Hawaii

Hawaiian Humane Society: Honolulu (spay/neuter assistance, temporary foster program)

Hawaii Island Humane Society: Kailua-Kona, Kamuela, and Keaau (spay/neuter assistance)

The Neuter Scooter: Multiple Locations (spay/neuter assistance for cats)

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Idaho

Humane Society of the Palouse: Moscow (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Idaho Humane Society: Boise (pet food)

Lewis Clark Animal Shelter: Lewiston (spay/neuter and microchip assistance)

Spay Neuter Idaho Pets (SNIP): Boise (spay/neuter assistance)

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Illinois

Anderson Animal Shelter: South Elgin (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Animal Care League: Oak Park (assistance for veterinary care including vaccinations, microchipping and spay/neuter)

Animal Protective League: Springfield (spay/neuter assistance)

The Animal Welfare League: Chicago Ridge (pet food, spay/neuter assistance, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care)

The Anti-Cruelty Society: Chicago (assistance with veterinary care including spay/neuter)

Best Buddies Pet Pantry: Cook County (pet food, low-cost vaccinations and low-cost spay/neuter referrals)

Better Pets Clinic: Moline (spay/neuter assistance)

Blessed Bonds: Palos Park (temporary foster program)

Brown Dog Foundation: statewide (veterinary care assistance and prescription medications)

Catsnap: Champaign County (spay/neuter assistance)

DuPage County Animal Care and Control: Wheaton (spay/neuter and microchipping assistance)

Humane Society of Central Illinois: Normal (spay/neuter assistance)

Humane Society of Southern Illinois: Carbondale (spay/neuter assistance)

National Animal Welfare Society: Mokina (assistance for general veterinary care, including vaccinations and spay/neuter)

PAWS Chicago: Chicago (spay/neuter assistance)

Pets Are Like Family: Chicago (pet food pantry, spay/neuter assistance, vaccines, microchips, pet care workshops) 
Pet assistance hotline: 312-725-3315

Quad City Animal Welfare Center: Milan (assistance for general veterinary care, including vaccinations and spay/neuter)

The Quincy Humane Society: Quincy (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

South Suburban Humane Society: Glenwood, Chicago Heights (spay/neuter assistance)

Spay Illinois: Homer Glen (low-cost spay/neuter services)

Tree House Humane Society: Chicago (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Winnebago County Animal Services: Rockford (spay/neuter assistance)

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Indiana

Best Buddies Pet Pantry: Porter, Lake and LaPorte Counties (pet food, low-cost vaccination and low-cost spay/neuter referrals)

Brown County Humane Society: Nashville (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

City of Bloomington Animal Shelter: Bloomington (pet food)

FACE Low-Cost Spay/neuter Clinic: Indianapolis (spay/neuter, vaccination and microchip assistance)

F.I.D.O.: Indianapolis (pet food pantry, help for chained dogs)

Hamilton County Low Cost Clinic: Noblesville (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Hope for Pets Food Pantry: Lafayette (pet food)

Humane Society Calumet Area: Statewide (spay/neuter assistance)
219-924-7140

Humane Society of Northwest Indiana: Gary (spay/neuter assistance)

Kibble Kitchen Pet Pantry: Porter County (pet food pantry, spay/neuter referral, Fur Angel Fund euthanasia referral service)

Kokomo Humane Society: Kokomo (pet food bank)

The Monroe County Humane Association: Bloomington (spay/neuter assistance, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care, discount vaccinations and microchips)

The Neuter Scooter: Multiple Locations (spay/neuter assistance for cats)

Partners for Animal Welfare Society, Inc.: Greenfield (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Spay Neuter Indiana Pets, Inc.: Greenwood (spay/neuter assistance)

Spay Neuter Indiana Pets, Inc.: Multiple Locations (spay/neuter assistance)

St. Joseph County Spay/Neuter Assistance Program: Notre Dame (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Vanderburgh Humane Society: Evansville (pet food)

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Iowa

Brown Dog Foundation: Statewide (veterinary care assistance and prescription medications)

Capitol Area Animal Response Team: Shawnee County (temporary boarding, pet food and supplies)

Iowa Humane Alliance/Spay Iowa: Statewide (spay/neuter assistance)

The Pet Project Midwest: Des Moines (pet food and supply pantry)

Southwest Iowa Humane Society: Clarinda (spay/neuter assistance)

Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter: Oskaloosa (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

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Kansas

Great Plains SPCA: Greater Kansas City area (various services for low-income and senior pet owners)

Humane Society of Greater Kansas City: Kansas City (spay/neuter assistance, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care)

Pet Assistance Network of Topeka: Topeka (temporary foster program)

The Pet Connection: Mission (assistance for necessary veterinary medical care including spay/neuter)

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Kentucky

Anderson Humane Society: Lawrenceburg (spay/neuter assistance)

Animal Refuge Center: Vine Grove (spay/neuter assistance)

Bowling Green Warren County Humane Society: Bowling Green (spay/neuter, vaccination and microchip assistance)

Friends of the Shelter: Middleboro (spay/neuter assistance)

Friends of the Shelter: Boone, Campbell, Kenton, Grant counties) (spay/neuter assistance)

Glasgow Barren Animal Shelter: Glasgow (spay/neuter assistance)

Holly's Place: Lawrenceburg (spay/neuter assistance)

Hope for Pets: Mt. Washington (pet food assistance, assistance with veterinary expenses for senior citizens with senior pets)

Humane Society Animal League for Life: Richmond (spay/neuter assistance)

Humane Society of Oldham County: LaGrange (spay/neuter assistance)

Kentucky Humane Society: Louisville (spay/neuter assistance)

Mercer Humane Society: Harrodsburg (spay/neuter assistance)

Scott County Humane Society: Georgetown (spay/neuter assistance)

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Louisiana

Baton Rouge Spay/Neuter (spay/neuter assistance)

Cat Haven: Baton Rouge (spay/neuter assistance: cats only)

Lafayette Animal Aid: Carencro (spay/neuter assistance)

Louisiana SPCA: New Orleans (spay/neuter assistance)

Spay Baton Rouge: Baton Rouge (spay/neuter assistance)

Southern Animal Foundation: New Orleans (low-cost veterinary services)

St. Martin Humane Society: Breaux Bridge (spay/neuter assistance)

The Spay Spa: Port Allen (spay/neuter assistance)

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Maine

Animal Refuge League: Westbrook (pet food, spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

The Animal Welfare Society: West Kennebunk (spay/neuter assistance)

Bar Harbor Food Pantry: Bar Harbor (pet food)

Camp Bow Wow: Portland (pet food)

Catholic Charities of Maine: Caribou (pet food/litter)

Greater Androscoggin Humane Society: Lewiston (spay/neuter assistance)

Hardy's Friends: Gouldsboro/Winter Harbor area (pet food and supplies)
207-963-7444

Helping People, Helping Pets—York County

Houlton Humane Society: Houlton (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Lincoln County Animal Shelter: Edgecomb (pet food)

Maine Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program: statewide (spay/neuter assistance)

Paws for a Cause: Fairfield (pet food)
Victor Grange at the junction of Routes 104 and 23 in Fairfield Center, 207-465-7906 or 207-249-9441

SPCA of Hancock County: Trenton (spay/neuter assistance)

Spay Maine (spay/neuter assistance)

Sullivan Animal Food Eatery: Sullivan (pet food)
1888 Route 1, 207-422-6282

York County Shelter Programs: Alfred (pet food)

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Maryland

Animal Advocates of Howard County: Ellicott City (spay/neuter assistance)

Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County: spay/neuter assistance

The Animal Welfare Society of Howard County: Columbia (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Baltimore Humane Society: Baltimore (veterinary care assistance including spay/neuter)

Caroline County Humane Society: Ridgely (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Frederick County Humane Society: Frederick (pet food, spay/neuter assistance, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care)

Humane Society of Charles County: Waldorf (spay/neuter assistance)

Montgomery County Humane Society: Rockville (spay/neuter assistance)

Spay Now, Inc.: Graysonville (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George's County, Inc.: Prince George's County (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Talbot Humane Society: Easton (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Thankful Paws, Inc.: Bel Air (pet food bank)

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Massachusetts

Alliance for Animals: Boston (spay/neuter and veterinary medical care assistance)

Angell Animal Medical Center-Nantucket: veterinary care assistance
21 Crooked Lane, Nantucket, MA 02554
508-228-1491

Angell Animal Medical Center-Western New England: (veterinary care assistance)
171 Union St., Springfield, MA 01105
413-785-1221

Angell Memorial Animal Hospital-Boston (veterinary care assistance)
350 South Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130
617-522-7282

Animal Rescue League of Boston-Alice T. Whitney Helping Hand Fund: Statewide (veterinary assistance for pet owners receiving government assistance)

Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society: Leverett and Greenfield (pet food, spay/neuter assistance, temporary foster program)

Fairy DogParents: Duxbury (assistance with food, medical needs and general wellness for dogs)

Phinney's Friends; MSPCA: (veterinary care assistance programs for senior, disabled or ill pet owners)

The Sampson Fund: Cape Cod (fund to benefit companion animals of Cape Cod and the adjacent Islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard)
PO Box 1756, Orleans, MA 02653

Southborough Pet food Pantry: Southborough (pet food)
508-485-2147

Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine: Statewide (veterinary care assistance including spay/neuter)

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Michigan

Adopt-A-Pet: Fenton (spay/neuter assistance)

All About Animals Rescue: Eastpointe (spay/neuter assistance)

Cascades Humane Society: Jackson (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

C-SNIP: Kentwood (spay/neuter assistance)

Furever Full Food Bank: Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties (pet food)

Furry Friends Food Pantry: Holland (pet food Thursdays)
616-499-7342, 616-399-5160

Humane Society of Genesee County: Burton (spay/neuter assistance)

Humane Society of Huron Valley: Ann Arbor (pet food/litter, spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Humane Society of South Central Michigan: Battle Creek (spay/neuter assistance)

Kalamazoo Humane Society: Kalamazoo (pet food bank, dog houses, and spay/neuter assistance)

K9 Resque: St. Claire (pet food)

Little Traverse Bay Humane Society: Harbor Springs (spay/neuter assistance)

Luce County Pet Pals: Newberry (spay/neuter assistance)

Michigan Humane Society: Multiple Locations (spay/neuter assistance)

Mission for Area People: Muskegon Heights (pet food assistance; licensing and vet records required) 231-733-9672 

Northeast Community Lutheran Church, Little Kitchen Food Shelf

Oakland County Pet Adoption Center: Auburn Hills (spay/neuter assistance)

Oakland County Pet Food Pantry: Western Michigan (pet food and supplies)

Stop the Overpopulation of Pets: Weymouth (spay/neuter assistance)

Voiceless–MI: Lansing (spay/neuter assistance)

Waggin' Tails Dog Rescue: Northville (pet food)

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Minnesota

Camp Companion: Rochester (spay/neuter assistance)

Kindest Cut: twin cities metro area (low-cost spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping)

Minnesota Spay Neuter Project, Inc.: Minneapolis (spay/neuter assistance)

Northeast Community Lutheran Church: Minneapolis (pet food)

Northland Spay/Neuter: Duluth (low-cost spay/neuter)

PetCare of Duluth: Statewide (low-cost clinic offering vaccines, flea/tick prevention, heartworm testing/prevention and microchipping)

Pet Haven: Minneapolis (spay/neuter assistance)

Tri-County Humane Society: St. Cloud (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

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Mississippi

Humane Society of South Mississippi: Gulfport (pet food, spay/neuter assistance, other necessary supplies including training advice)

Mississippi Spay and Neuter: Pearl (spay/neuter assistance)

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Missouri

Animal Protective Association of Missouri: St. Louis (Assistance with vaccinations and routine veterinary care)

Central Missouri Humane Society: Columbia (spay/neuter assistance)

Humane Society of Missouri: St. Louis (assistance with veterinary care including spay/neuter)

Humane Society of Southeast Missouri: Camp Girardeau (spay/neuter assistance)

Northland Pet Pantry: Gladstone (pet food)

Operation SPOT: St. Louis (spay/neuter assistance)

Pound Pals Nooterville: St. Louis (spay/neuter assistance)

St. Charles County Humane Services: Cottleville (spay/neuter and heartworm preventative assistance)

Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP): Christian, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk and Webster Counties (spay/neuter assistance)

Spay Neuter Kansas City: Kansas City (pet food and supplies, spay/neuter assistance)

Stray Rescue of St. Louis: St. Louis (spay/neuter assistance)

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Montana

Beartooth Humane Alliance: Red Lodge (spay/neuter assistance)

Bitter Root Humane Association: Hamilton (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Humane Society of Western Montana: Missoula (pet food)

Kootenai Pets for Life: Troy/Libby (pet food and supplies, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care, spay/neuter assistance, temporary foster program)

Rimrock Humane Society: Roundup (spay/neuter assistance)

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Nebraska

Hearts United for Animals: Auburn (low-cost spay/neuter clinic)

Lincoln Animal Ambassadors: Lincoln County (low-cost spay/neuter program, pet food

Nebraska Humane Society: Omaha (low-cost spay/neuter, pet food delivery for senior citizens receiving Meals on Wheels, training classes, grooming and boarding services)

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Nevada

Nevada Humane Society: Reno (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Shakespeare Animal: veterinary care assistance

Spay and Neuter Center of Southern Nevada: Las Vegas (spay/neuter and microchip assistance)

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New Hampshire

Cocheco Valley Humane Society: Dover (pet food, temporary foster program)

Concord-Merrimack County SPCA: Penacook (pet food, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care)

Helping People, Helping Pets—Hillsborough County

Helping People, Helping Pets—Merrimack County

Helping People, Helping Pets—Rockingham County

Helping People, Helping Pets—Strafford County

Manchester Animal Shelter: Manchester (pet food)

New Hampshire Humane Society: Laconia (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Upper Valley Humane Society: Enfield (spay/neuter assistance)

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New Jersey

A Purrfect World: Bloomfield (temporary foster program)

Animal Alliance: Belle Mead (pet food and supplies, spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Companion Animal Advocates: Hillsdale (pet food, spay/neuter, and rehoming assistance)

Friends of Randolph Animal Pound (All Our Orphans): Randolph (spay/neuter assistance)

Humane Society of Atlantic: Atlantic City (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

New Jersey Animal Rights Alliance: Statewide (veterinary care assistance)

Oakland Animal Hospital: Oakland (pet food)

One Step Closer Animal Rescue (OSCAR): Statewide (pet food bank and spay/neuter assistance)

PetPALS of Southern New Jersey: veterinary care assistance programs for senior, disabled or ill pet owners

Prince Chunk Foundation: Statewide (pet food and veterinary care assistance)

Save U.S. Pets Foundation: veterinary care assistance (A veterinarian must apply on behalf of the pet owner.)

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New Mexico

ACTion Programs for Animals: Las Cruces (pet food bank)

Animal Humane Association of New Mexico: Albuquerque (spay/neuter, vaccination and other necessary veterinary medical care)

Animal Village New Mexico: (low-cost spay/neuter, pet food bank)

Casa Rosa Food Pantry: Placitas community (food bank that offers pet food and supplies)

Espanola Valley Humane Society: Espanola (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Gallup McKinley County Humane Society: low-cost spay/neuter

Santa Fe Animal Shelter: Santa Fe (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Vet Co: Multiple Locations  (spay/neuter assistance)

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New York

ALL 4 PETS: Limited to Western New York (veterinary care assistance)

The Animal Lovers League: Glen Cove (temporary foster program)

Ascension’s Pet Food Pantry: Buffalo (pet food pantry) 

Baxter Pet Pantry: Nassau and Suffolk Counties (pet food and supplies)

Beyond Breed’s Ruff Riders: pet food and supplies for underserved neighborhoods in Brooklyn and New York City

Black Dog, Second Chance Rescue Food Pantry for Pets: Buffalo
37 Chandler St.

Frankie's Friends: New York City (veterinary care assistance including cancer)

Hudson Valley Pet Food Pantry: (pet food bank)

Lollypop Farm, The Humane Society of Greater Rochester: Fairport (emergency pet food assistance, spay/neuter assistance, and information on other community programs for veterinary assistance)

Rochester Hope for Pets: Rochester (veterinary care assistance)

NY SAVE, Inc.: veterinary care assistance

Operation Pets: The Spay/Neuter Clinic of Western New York (low-cost spay/neuter)

Pet Food Pantry Auburn: (pet food)

The Shamrock Animal Fund: Syracuse/Central New York (veterinary care assistance).

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North Carolina

Animal Compassion Network: Skyland (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

AnimalKind: Raleigh (spay/neuter assistance)

Animal Protection Society of Durham: Durham (pet food assistance)

Ashley's Angel Fund (veterinary care assistance)

Community Partnership for Pets: Flat Rock (spay/neuter assistance)

Forsyth County Animal Control: Winston-Salem; Forsyth County (pet food assistance, low-cost spay/neuter)

Forsyth Humane Society: Winston-Salem (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Friends of Madison County Animals: (low-cost/no-cost services to Madison County residents: spay-neuter, pet food pantry, microchips, vaccinations)

Harnett Animal Welfare Coalition (HAWC): Harnett County (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Haywood Animal Welfare Association: Waynesville (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Humane Alliance: Asheville (spay/neuter assistance)

The Humane Society of the Piedmont: Greensboro (pet food & spay/neuter assistance)

Madison County Animal Shelter: Marshall (spay/neuter assistance)

North Carolina State University Companion Pet Assistance Program: Raleigh (veterinary care assistance for clients)

SNAP-NC:Statewide (spay/neuter assistance)

Spay Neuter Charlotte: Charlotte (low-cost spay/neuter, vaccines and pet-food pantry)

SPCA of Wake County: Raleigh (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Watauga Humane Society: Boone (spay/neuter and microchip assistance)

Wayne County Humane Society: Goldsboro (spay/neuter assistance)

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North Dakota

Circle of Friends Humane Society: Grand Forks (spay/neuter assistance, emergency medical assistance)

Spay Dakota: low-cost spay/neuter assistance and referrals

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Ohio

Angels for Animals: Canfield (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

The Bummer Fund: Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull Counties (veterinary care assistance)

Humane Ohio: Toledo (spay/neuter assistance)

Jake Brady Memorial Fund (veterinary care assistance)

MedVet Good Sam Fund: Columbus and Cincinatti (veterinary care assistance)

The Neuter Scooter: Multiple Locations (spay/neuter assistance for cats)

Paws with Pride: Uniontown (temporary foster program)

Pet Guards Clinic: Cuyahoga Falls (assistance for necessary veterinary medical care, spay/neuter and vaccinations)

PetPromise: Columbus (pet food assistance)

Pets in Stitches: Miami Valley (affordable spay/neuter and vaccines for cats, dogs and rabbits; TNR for community cats)

The Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals: Kettering (spay/neuter assistance, temporary foster program)

Stop the Overpopulation of Pets: Mansfield (spay/neuter assistance)

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Oklahoma

Animal Birth Control Clinic: Lawton (spay/neuter, vaccination, microchip assistance and other basic veterinary services)

Animal Rescue and Care of McCurtain County: Broken Bow (spay/neuter assistance)

Best Friends of Pets: multiple locations (spay/neuter assistance)

Central Oklahoma Humane Society: Oklahoma City (spay neuter clinic, trap-neuter-return for community cats)

Humane Society of Grove and Grand Lake: Grove (spay/neuter assistance)

Humane Society of Tulsa: Tulsa (spay/neuter assistance)

Oklahoma City Animal Shelter: Oklahoma City (pet food)
405-316-FOOD (3663) or email petfoodbank@okc.gov

Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division: (spay/neuter help, pet food bank, community cat program)

PAWS, Inc.: Bristow (spay/neuter assistance)

Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma City: (pet food)

Poteau Valley Humane Society: Poteau (spay/neuter assistance)

Spay Oklahoma: Tulsa (spay/neuter assistance)

Volunteers for Animal Welfare: Oklahoma City (spay/neuter assistance)

Washington County SPCA: Bartlesville (spay/neuter assistance)

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Oregon

Cat Adoption Team: Sherwood (cat food assistance)

City of Eugene Spay/Neuter Clinic: Eugene (spay/neuter, vaccination, and microchip assistance)

DoveLewis Velvet Assistance Fund: Portland (veterinary care assistance)

Hand To Paw Fund: Statewide (veterinary care assistance)

Humane Society of Central Oregon: Bend (spay/neuter assistance, contact HSCO for additional services)

Lane County Animal Services: Eugene (spay/neuter assistance)

The Neuter Scooter: Multiple Locations (spay/neuter assistance for cats)

Oregon Outback Humane Society: Lakeview (pet food, spay/neuter assistance, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care)

Pet Overpopulation Prevention Advocates: Statewide (spay/neuter assistance and referral)

The Pongo Fund Pet Food Bank (pet food and spay/neuter assistance)

Pro-Bone-O: Eugene (free pet food, supplies, and veterinary care for pets of the homeless)

Willamette Animal Guild: Eugene (spay/neuter assistance)

Willamette Humane Society: Salem (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

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Pennsylvania

ACCT Philly: (pet food, referrals for low-cost spay/neuter and wellness services)

Action for Animals Humane Society: Latrobe (spay/neuter assistance)

Animal Care & Assistance Fund (veterinary care assistance)

Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley: (pet food for families in need)

Animal Friends: Pittsburgh (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Animal House Project: (pet food for low-income residents of Chester County)

The Animal Rescue of Western Pennsylvania (veterinary care assistance)

Delaware County SPCA: (spay/neuter and wellness services)

Forgotten Cats, Inc.: Willow Grove (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Humane Society of Berks County: Reading (pet food and veterinary care assistance)

Humane Society of Harrisburg Area: (pet food pantry, low-cost spay/neuter services, wellness clinics, microchipping)

Humane Society of Westmoreland County: Greenberg (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Sam's Hope: Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties (pet food and veterinary care assistance for pet owners with demonstrated financial hardship)

Spay/Neuter Assistance Program, Inc.: Harrisburg (low-cost spay/neuter)

Washington Area Humane Society: Eighty Four (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care)

Western Pennsylvania Humane Society: Pittsburgh (spay/neuter assistance, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care

Wilkes Barre Animal Hospital: Wilkes Barre (spay/neuter assistance for cats)

Pet Pantry of Lancaster County: (pet food, spay/neuter and wellness services, community cat program)

Pennsylvania SPCA: Philadelphia (spay/neuter and wellness services)

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Puerto Rico

Pets Alive Puerto Rico: (spay/neuter help)

Puerto Rico Animal Welfare Society: Isabela (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

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Rhode Island

Humane Association of Northwestern Rhode Island: Pascoag (spay/neuter assistance)

Providence Animal Rescue League: Providence (spay/neuter assistance)

Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association: Statewide (spay/neuter assistance, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care)

RIVMA Companion Animal Foundation: veterinary care assistance

Volunteer Services for Animals: Providence (spay/neuter assistance)

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South Carolina

Charleston Animal Society: Charleston (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Columbia (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Keep Our Pets Food Bank: Horry and Georgetown (pet food for eligible applicants)

Pawmetto Lifeline: Columbia (low-cost spay/neuter clinic, mobile vaccine clinic, pet food pantry) 

Pet Helpers: Charleston (a broad range of low-cost veterinary care—including vaccinations, deworming, flea and tick control, heartworm tests, feline leukemia/aids tests, very affordable heartworm preventive medication, mass removals, orthopedic surgery, and some dentistry [fees are on a sliding scale]—as well as a pet food bank, low-cost spay/neuter, help for chained dogs, TNR, and behavior/training referrals); clinic phone number: 843-302-0556

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South Dakota

Brookings Humane Society: pet food and supplies

Oglala Pet Project: free spay/neuter, low-cost vaccines, pet food bank for pet owners living on the Pine Ridge American Indian Reservation

Operation Pets, Inc.: low-cost spay/neuter for pets and community cats

Spay Dakota: low-cost spay/neuter referrals

South Dakota West River Spay/Neuter Coalition: low-cost spay/neuter clinics

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Tennessee

Brown Dog Foundation: Statewide (veterinary care assistance and prescription medications)

Companion Animal Initiative of Tennessee (List of groups that assist with companion animal issues in Tennssee by county)

Fayette County Animal Rescue: Rossville (pet food and supplies)

Humane Society of Putnam County: Cookeville (spay/neuter assistance)

Nashville Humane Association: Nashville (pet food, spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Shepherd's Green Sanctuary (pigs only): Cookeville (contact Shepherd's Green for list of services)

Young-Williams Animal Center: Knoxville (pet food, spay/neuter, and vaccination assistance)

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Texas

Animal Birth Control Clinic: Waco (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Animal Friends of Washington County: Brenham (low-cost spay/neuter, vaccinations, heartworm treatment)

Animal Trustees of Austin: Austin (assistance for necessary veterinary medical care, spay/neuter assistance, and heartworm treatment)

Arlington Humane Society: Arlington (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Canyon Lake Animal Shelter Society: Canyon Lake (pet food, spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Cause for Paws: Greenville (spay/neuter, medication, and vaccination assistance)

DaisyCares Pet Food Program: San Antonio (pet food assistance through the San Antonio Food Bank)

Dallas Animal Services: Dallas (spay/neuter assistance)

EmanciPet: Austin (spay/neuter assistance)

Freeman-Fritts: Kerrville (spay/neuter assistance, low-cost veterinary care)

Helotes Humane Society: Helotes (pet food)

Houston Humane Society: Houston (spay/neuter assistance)

Kaufman County Animal Awareness Project: Crandall (assistance for veterinary care including vaccinations, microchipping, and spay/neuter)

Metroplex Animal Coalition: Dallas (spay/neuter assistance)

Outreach Animal Clinic: Dallas (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Pet Food Bank of Austin and Travis County: Austin (Pet food)

Pet Pals of Texas: Converse (pet food, supplies, and general pet care assistance for elderly or disabled residents)

Pet Prevent A Litter of Central Texas: San Marcos (pet food and litter, spay/neuter assistance)

Spay-Neuter Assistance Program: Multiple locations (spay/neuter assistance)

Spay/Neuter Your Pet: Dallas-Fort Worth (spay/neuter assistance)

Spay Texas: Statewide (spay/neuter assistance)

SPCA of Polk County: Livingston (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

SPCA of Texas: Dallas (pet food, assistance for veterinary care including vaccinations, microchipping, and spay/neuter)

Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine "The Capper and Chris Save the Animals Fund" (veterinary care assistance)

Texas Coalition for Animal Protection: Azle, Cleburne, Denton, Fort Worth, Hamilton, Hillsboro, and McKinney (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

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Utah

Best Friends Animal Society: Salt Lake City (spay/neuter assistance)

The Humane Society of Moab Valley: Moab (spay/neuter assistance)

Humane Society of Utah: Murray (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Pet Samaritan Fund (veterinary care assistance programs for senior, disabled or ill pet owners)

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Vermont

Frontier Animal Society: Orleans (spay/neuter assistance)

Second Chance Animal Center: Shaftsbury (spay/neuter assistance)

Vermont Spay Neuter Incentive Program: Bridgewater (spay/neuter assistance)

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Virginia

Angels of Assisi: Roanoke (spay/neuter assistance, discounted pet medications)

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria: Alexandria (spay/neuter assistance)

Animal Welfare League of Arlington: Arlington (spay/neuter, vaccination and microchip assistance, assistance for emergency veterinary care)

Bedford Humane Society: Bedford (spay/neuter assistance)

Capital Animal Care Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic: northern Virginia (pet food, supplies and spay/neuter assistance)

Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA: Charlottesville (spay/neuter assistance for owned pets and feral cats)

Fairfax County Animal Shelter

Fauquier SPCA: Warrenton (spay/neuter assistance)

Franklin County Humane Society: Rocky Mount (spay/neuter assistance)

Helping Hands Affordable Veternary Surgery and Dental Clinic: Richmond (reduced cost veterinary surgery)

The Holly Help Memorial Spay/Neuter Fund: Bristol (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Humane Society of Culpeper: Culpeper (spay/neuter assistance)

Humane Society of Fairfax County: Fairfax (pet food)

Humane Society of Loudoun County: Purcellville (spay/neuter assistance)

Loudon County Animal Care and Control CARE Pet Pantry: Leesburg (pet food)

Mountain View Humane Spay Neuter Clinic: low cost spay/neuter

Partners Among Cats and Canines: Franklin (spay/neuter assistance, assistance for emergency veterinary care)

Prince William SPCA: Manassas (spay/neuter, vaccinations, wellness checks)

Richmond SPCA: Richmond and the surrounding counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and Goochland (free and low-cost spay/neuter services, affordable pet wellness clinics, free pet pantry, free behavior support, low-cost temporary off-site boarding for pets)

Roanoke Valley SPCA: Roanoke (pet food)

Saint Seton's Orphaned Animals: Fredricksburg (operates Thomas Beath Veterinary Hospital, assistance with diagnostics, surgery, and veterinary treatments for low-income clients and animal welfare organizations, pet food pantry) 

Shenandoah Valley Spay and Neuter Clinic: Harrisonburg (spay/neuter assistance)

Lynchburg Humane Society: Evington (spay/neuter assistance)

Spay, Inc.: Northern Virginia (spay/neuter assistance)

SPCA of Martinsville and Henry County: Martinsville (spay/neuter assistance)

Virginia Beach SPCA: Virginia Beach (pet food, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care)

The Virginia Kincheloe Spay/Neuter Clinic: Fredericksburg (low-cost spay/neuter, microchips)

Voices for Animals: Charlottesville and surrounding counties (feral cat spay/neuter and vaccination; weather-proof shelters for outdoor dogs)

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Washington

Northwest Spay & Neuter Center: Tacoma (spay/neuter assistance for owned pets and feral cats)

Concern for Animals: Thurston, Mason and Lewis Counties (spay/neuter, pet food and veterinary care assistance)

Forget Me Not Animal Shelter: Republic (spay/neuter assistance)

Humane Society for Seattle/King County: Bellevue (low-income senior citizen's pet food assistance, discounted spay/neuter and microchipping, pet project assistance for individuals disabled by AIDS)

Olympic Mountain Pet Pals: Jefferson County (spay/neuter assistance for low-income pet owners, TNR for community cats)

PAWS of Bainbridge Island: Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap (spay/neuter, vaccination, pet food, veterinary care assistance; additional services for seniors)

Seattle Humane Society: Seattle (services for low-income, disabled, and senior pet owners: spay/neuter, vaccination, pet food, veterinary care assistance) 

Progressive Animal Welfare Society: Lynnwood (spay/neuter assistance, microchip and vaccination assistance, behavior helpline)

Spokane Valley Regional Animal Protection Service: Spokane Valley (spay/neuter assistance)

Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine Good Samaritan Fund (veterinary care assistance)

Whatcom Humane Society: Bellingham (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Whidbey Animals' Improvement Foundation (WAIF): Whidbey Island (spay/neuter assistance for owned cats and ferals, crisis care assistance, pet food banks, and temporary foster care)

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West Virginia

Monroe County Animal League, Inc.: Union (spay/neuter assistance)

The National Humane Education Society: Charles Town (spay/neuter assistance)

Promise Animal League: Falling Waters (pet food)

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Wisconsin

The Dodge County Humane Society: Juneau (pet food, spay/neuter assistance, temporary foster program)

Eau Claire County Humane Association: Eau Claire (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

Fox Valley Humane Society: Appleton (temporary boarding program)

The Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha: Waukesha (assistance with spay/neuter, pet food and short term fostering for pets displaced from their homes); contact HAWS' Shelter Manager: kelly@hawspets.org, 262-542-8851

Wisconsin Humane Society: (spay/neuter assistance program, vaccines, pet food and supplies for families in need, community cat caregivers program)

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Wyoming

Central Wyoming Spay & Neuter Foundation: spay/neuter vouchers

Cheyenne Animal Shelter: low-cost spay/neuter and trap-neuter-return for community cats

Wyoming Spay and Neuter: low-cost spay/neuter for pets and feral cats

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post from sitemap

Baby's First Christmas - Celebrity Edition

The year of 2014 brought big changes in the lives of some of our favorite celebrities. New records, new releases, and new awards are always exciting, but nothing can measure up to the beauty and amazement of the birth of a baby. Meet all the new mini-celebrities that will be celebrating their very first Christmas this year.

Baby Schuyler
Parents: Rodger Berman and Rachel Zoe
Rodger Berman and Rachel Zoe (celebrity stylist) welcomed their very first baby this year, Schuyler Harris. Judging from his custom made shoes and his Missoni stroller, I think it's very safe to make the assumption that Schuyler's first Christmas will be filled with Gucci, Prada and Chanel.

Baby Flynn
Parents: Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr
Actor Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Caribbean, Lord of the Rings) and model Miranda Kerr may have given birth to the cutest baby alive. With brown hair and big blue eyes, he has been making headlines since day one. This is an extra exciting time of year for Baby Flynn; he will be celebrating his first birthday on January 6th.

Baby Haven
Parents: Cash Warren and Jessica Alba
Producer Cash Warren and actress Jessica Alba (Fantastic Four, Sin City) welcomed their second daughter, baby Haven Garner in August, much to the delight of big sister Honor Marie. Jessica recently took both three year old Honor and four month old Haven to meet Santa Claus in their local mall. How sweet is that!

Baby Morocco and Baby Monroe
Parents: Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey
Nick Cannon (America's Got Talent) and singer/actress Mariah Carey welcomed their twins on April 30th of this year. This adorable duo made one of their first public appearances last Christmas when Mariah was visibly showing during her Christmas Special. Morocco was named after the Moroccan inspired room in which Nick proposed to Mariah, and Monroe was named after one of Mariah's longtime role models, Marilyn Monroe.

Baby Harper
Parents: David & Victoria Beckham
World renowned power couple David (English soccer star) & Victoria Beckham (designer) welcomed their very first daughter this year. Baby Harper Seven joined older brothers Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz.

Baby Bingham
Parents: Matt Bellamy and Kate Hudson
Matt Bellamy (front-man of Muse) and actress Kate Hudson (Bride Wars, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days) welcomed their first baby, Bingham Hawn in August. Baby Bingham joins Kate's older son Ryder, who affectionately calls him Bing.

Baby Arabella
Parents: Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump
Jared Kushner and entrepreneur and daughter of Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, married in October 2009, welcomed their very first baby, Arabella Rose on July 17th of this year.

Baby Aleph
Parents: Benjamin Millepied and Natalie Portman
Producer Benjamin Millepied and actress Natalie Portman (V for Vendetta, Black Swan) welcomed their first baby, Aleph this year. Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, a sweet tribute to the Hebrew background of the couple.

And there, my friends, are the newest celebrities of 2011. Merry Christmas to all the baby celebs and their parents! I can't help but wonder which celebrities will make this list next year...

You Can Afford to Have Your Pet Spayed or Neutered

There are more options than you think

Many people want to have their pets spayed or neutered, but when they find out how much it costs, they think it won't be possible. Others want to help community cats but think they won't be able to find a low-cost or free option. But it absolutely is possible—there are many shelters, veterinarians, and organizations who are ready and able to help. And it can be easy to find them.

If you still need help, we've got more suggestions

1. Visit our Trouble Affording Your Pet page to see if there is a state or national group that will help you out.

2. Call your local humane society or animal shelter and tell them you are looking for low-cost spay/neuter services.

3. Talk to your veterinarian. You might be able to work out payment arrangements.

4. Contact Care Credit, which offers credit plans for veterinary services.

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How to Keep Your Cat Happy Indoors

10 Tips to Keep Your Cat Happy Indoors

Although many cats enjoy being outside, it's a myth that going outside is a requirement for feline happiness. Playing regularly with a cat easily satisfies her stalking instinct, keeps her stimulated and provides the exercise she needs to stay healthy and happy.

Here are some tips for making the great indoors an interesting, feline-friendly environment that meets all of your cat's needs.

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Start young

Kittens who are kept indoors are usually happy to stay there as they grow up.

Fence me in

Provide a screened porch or other safe way for your cat to experience the outdoors. Consider building or purchasing a "cat fence" or similar enclosure. Such an enclosure can allow your cat to experience the pleasures of the great outdoors without the risks. However, a fence may not prevent other animals from entering your yard, so you should always be present when you allow your cat outside.

Be sure to cat-proof the yard by checking that the fence has no escape routes and by making toxic plants, garden chemicals and other dangerous objects inaccessible.

Walk this way

If you live in a peaceful neighborhood in which you can walk without encountering loose dogs, consider buying a harness and training your cat to walk on a leash. This training takes time and patience, for both you and the cat, and it's easiest when your cat is young. Some cats can even be harnessed and tied to a stationary object to enjoy the outdoors while you are gardening nearby (but be sure to never leave your cat alone while she is tied to a stationary object).

Hang out

Install a perch indoors near a sunny window; padded perches can be purchased at many pet supply stores, through catalog retailers or at our online store. Another option is an enclosure that sits in a window frame (much like an air conditioning unit) and provides a secure space in which your kitty can hang out. Larger perches can attach to the side of a house or ground-floor apartment patio. It's best to allow your cat access to these when someone is home to supervise.

Pledge to keep cats and wildlife safe »

Tree's company

Buy a ready-made cat tree (often called a "kitty condo"), or make your own. A cat tree can be short, or may stretch from floor to ceiling. It provides great climbing opportunities and, in multi-cat households, creates more play and rest areas by taking advantage of vertical space. If you can, locate the cat tree next to a window so your cat can watch the action outdoors.

Play time

Play with your cat each day. Try different types of toys that allow your cat to stalk, chase, pounce and kick. When you've tired out your cat, store toys that could harm him (such as toys with strings attached) out of reach. When you can't be there to supervise, leave out "toys" such as paper bags (with the handles removed) or cardboard boxes. Be sure to switch the toys from time to time so that they seem "new" and more interesting to your cat. 

Bring the outdoors in

Plant cat grass (available from pet supply stores) in indoor pots so your feline can graze. 

Clean house

Clean the litter box regularly. Here are some tips for preventing and solving litter box problems.

ID, please

Even indoor cats should still be outfitted with a collar and visible identification. The occasional open window (make sure your windows have secure screens) or door offers a tempting opportunity for your cat to explore the outdoors. And your cat may become frightened and make her way outside if strangers come to work on your house or if there is a fire or similar disaster. The collar and visible ID could help someone get your pet back to you.

Chip in for safety

For extra insurance, consider having your cat microchipped and keep your contact information with the microchip registry up to date. If you do lose your cat, contact your local animal shelter immediately to file a report. Shelter workers can give you tips on getting your pet back home safely. Also read our tips for finding a lost pet.

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Fun gifts for Christmas technology

Lego Minecraft

When technology enthusiasts that participate in your life already has the latest smartphones, tablets, and much better headphones to last a lifetime, it can be very difficult to find something for Christmas, they really appreciate. Luckily for you, we tracked down some of the technologies more fun gifts that would not have arisen in the mind when he entered the street.

What do you get when building toys 20:21 coolest century combined? Lego Minecraft! There are a variety of games available, allowing you to build your own version of several places at once dig-em-up. Sets include a haunted by zombies and monsters cave spider, a set that leads to the end to find the Ender Dragon, and this assembly, which is $ 40 on Amazon, which places the first night in their first retreat with a pig, a vine and Steve own minifig.

DJI Phantom Vision 2 +

Get to the chopper! Help your tinnitus near their recent adventures flying high with DJI Phantom 2 Vision + Quadcopter £ 940 multi-rotor remote machine that can fly up to 25 minutes and even switch to autopilot when taking a rest from flight.

Your camera mounted below, you can shoot Full HD video resolution and stabilized by a three-axis gimbal, ensuring the footage is soft butter.

JBL flip 2

2 Turn on Bluetooth speaker JBL going to hit an impressive sound comes in a variety of colors and even for phones using NFC technology.

If for their children to enjoy the fantastic music in their bedrooms or your partner for something more elegant rock while cooking in the kitchen, pull 2 worth the price of £ 50.

Apple iPod Shuffle

After chewing through a ton of turkey and mince pies this Christmas Mountain, you probably need to put on running shoes to return to a state of health of the entire family.

Apple IPod shuffle remains one of the best audio players to move, thanks to its small size and the fact that you can easily clip in a shirtsleeve, rather than going into the pocket.

It is on sale at the Apple Store for $ 40 for 2GB of storage - enough for hundreds of songs.

This Little Piggy Went Home

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One creature rescued at a puppy mill this year doesn't bark -- she oinks

Text by Julie Falconer | Photos by Chuck Cook/AP Images for The HSUS

The pig was a surprise. So were the enormous piles of junk at the scene of a puppy mill rescue in Alcorn County, Mississippi, in October. HSUS rescuers found dogs confined to cages wedged under broken-down cars, Persian cats housed in rabbit hutches and a rabbit huddled in an old red shopping cart. And when Rowdy Shaw peered into a muck-filled wire cage surrounded by trash, he saw a tiny pink snout. The young porcine sought affection “the moment she saw us,” says Shaw, HSUS senior field responder. “When I went to reach for her, she was bouncing around, trying to nibble on my hand.”

With a goat and miniature donkey in tow, veterinarian Laurissa Heinz and HSUS rescuer John Sidenstricker navigated a maze of discarded farm equipment, wooden pallets and weirder elements, like the hundreds of cases of canned stewed tomatoes. Many puppy mill cases involve properties with lots of foliage and debris that manage to hide the animal neglect from neighbors and passers-by, says Heinz: “So it’s kind of like that kid who goes to school every day; until someone sees him undress at PE class, no one knows what goes on at home.

Along with the pig, rescuers removed 71 dogs, 13 rabbits, 11 cats, two goats, a donkey and more than 40 chickens, roosters and ducks. Tucked away in a ramshackle pen in one corner of the property, this little English bulldog showed “horrible withering of muscles,” says Tia Pope, HSUS manager of puppy mill response. He walked with a strange twist in his hips due to past injuries that never healed properly. As he greeted the rescue team, his hind end listed from side to side. “He was extremely happy to see us,” Pope says, “and so excited to go.”

Rescuers worried they wouldn’t find all the animals amidst the mountains of junk. “You’d lift up a tarp, and there’d be an animal under there in a cage,” Pope says. “We went through it a million and one times.” At the same time, rescuers were also assisting with another puppy mill response at a property 10 minutes away. Amidst the chaos, the tiny pig “definitely brightened up everyone’s day,” Shaw says. “How could you not love her?”

Want to be a hero for more animals like Penelope? Text HUMANE to 20222 to give $10, or make a lifesaving donation here »

It turns out the pig had captured a rescuer’s heart. Heinz, the vet, wasn’t planning to come home with souvenirs, but the lifelong animal lover and horse rescuer decided she had space for four more needy animals at her Columbia, Mississippi, home, which she refers to as “Scratch-and-Dent Hill” for the critters she’s rescued. Penelope the pig now enjoys the lap of luxury along with her housemate Ditto, a rescued Pomeranian. Penelope's two favorite things are food—sweet potato peels are a big hit—and belly rubs. “You can pretty much put her in a catatonic state by rubbing her belly,” Heinz says.

At the Alcorn property, Lenny, a miniature donkey, and goats Laverne and Shirley lived together in a small dilapidated pen. Heinz recognized how tightly bonded the animals were—after she brought them home, the goats “absolutely screamed” when the donkey was taken away for a checkup. “They were not happy until they had their burro back,” Heinz says. The trio now shares a pasture with a barn and sleep together in a furry heap. Eventually, they’ll join Heinz’s flock of rescued sheep, and Lenny will have more friends to watch over.

With kindness, proper care and a lot of petting, this little group of rescued creatures has grown more trusting of people. With space to show off his playful side, Lenny bucks and brays and hee-haws across the pasture to Heinz’s other rescued donkey. Heinz hopes that when Penelope is large enough to hold her own with five rescued dogs, she’ll be able to go between the house and yard through the pet door. Adding four animals—of three different species—to her life at the same time was a bit of a challenge. But “they just seemed to fit.”

Raising a pig isn’t for most people; Heinz has the setup and expertise to make it work. Penelope “screamed bloody murder during her bath,” says Heinz, and pigs “scream better than any two-legged young’un on the planet.” Heinz hopes her husband will eventually fall in love with their new pet. “On a regular basis, my husband reminds me that we have a pig—In. The. House.” With patience and a book on a pig training, Heinz has taught Penelope not to soil in the house and to walk on a leash. That’s the upside of her companion’s intelligence. The downside: Some pigs “will learn how to open the fridge, so I’m keeping my eye out.”

Want to be a hero for more animals like Penelope? Text HUMANE to 20222 to give $10, or make a lifesaving donation here »

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How to Care for Outdoor Cats in Winter

Shelter, food and water are especially important to feral and stray cats in cold weather

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Who are those cats you see outside on cold days? They may be pets whose owners let (or put) them outside.

Or they could be community cats, a group that includes ferals (who are afraid of people) and strays (who've been lost or abandoned). No matter how resourceful these outdoor cats are, they need help surviving winter.

Follow our tips for making sure your local outdoor cats have shelter, food and water during the cold months.

Shelter for outdoor cats »
Food and water for outdoor cats »
Trap-neuter-return in winter »

Give outdoor cats shelter from the cold

Yes, their thickened winter coats help feral and stray cats weather winter's chill, but they still need warm, dry, well-insulated and appropriate-sized shelters.

It's cheapest to build your own shelters, and there are many plans and instructions that can help you get started.

How to get help building your outdoor-cat shelter

A shelter-building party can be a fun weekend project! Ask your friends, neighbors and coworkers to join in. Try contacting local youth groups to find out if they will help build shelters as a service project.

Where to find materials for your outdoor-cat shelter

You may find inexpensive or free materials by asking building-supply stores or contractors if they have scrap lumber. Ask friends, neighbors and coworkers for used dog houses, which can be modified to make good shelters. You can even use a storage bin from the local hardware store.

Creating a life-saving shelter for outdoor cats can be easy and inexpensive.

Why size matters with cat shelters

A shelter must trap the cats' body heat to warm its interior. If the shelter is too large, it will be difficult for the cats' body heat to keep the space warm.

What to put in your outdoor cat shelter

Straw is the best material to put in a shelter because it allows cats to burrow. Pillowcases loosely stuffed with packing peanuts and shredded newspaper also work.

Keep things clean: Replace straw and newspaper if moist or dirty, and wash and re-stuff pillowcases as needed.

However, if it's really cold where you live and you can't check on the shelters regularly, don’t use the above insulations. Instead, "wallpaper" the shelter's inner walls and floor with Mylar. It reflects back body heat, and it's okay for cats to lie on it.

What NOT to put in your outdoor-cat shelter

Don't use blankets, towels or folded newspaper; they absorb body heat and chill cats who are lying on them. Forego hay, too, which may irritate noses and cause allergic reactions.

Give outdoor cats food and water

Where to place food and water

Protect outdoor cats from hunger and thirst this winter by keeping their food and water from freezing.

If you can do so without compromising the privacy and security of the shelter, place food and water near the shelter so the cats won't have to travel far.

A way to protect food and water is to place two shelters—doorways facing each other—two feet apart. Then create a canopy between them by securing a wide board from one roof to the other. Then put the food and water under the canopy.

How to keep outdoor cats' food and water from freezing

What you put food and water in can make a difference. A thick plastic water container that's deep and wide is better-insulated than a thin plastic or ceramic container. A solar-heated water bowl can prevent or delay water and canned food from freezing.

If shelters are well-insulated, you can put bowls of dry or moist food inside them, far from the doorway. Even if the moist food freezes, the cats' body heat will defrost it when they hunker down in their shelter.

Don't put water bowls inside the shelter. Water is easily spilled, and a wet shelter will feel more like a refrigerator than a warm haven. You’ll find suggestions for keeping water from freezing at the Neighborhood Cats website.

To TNR or not to TNR community cats in winter?

Don't attempt TNR activities in the winter unless you can return the cats to a warm shelter.

People may be concerned about performing trap-neuter-return during winter because they worry about releasing females who have had their stomachs shaved for surgery. But winter trapping has its advantages. There are far fewer pregnant cats, which makes for a less complicated surgery, and you'll prevent the births of many kittens come spring, when the majority are born.

Before you start winter trapping, however, you must ensure that the cats will have adequate shelter when you return them to their territory. If you've followed the directions above, they'll be in good shape.

Learn more about caring for outdoor cats

Outdoor cat FAQ »
A caretaker's tale of providing shelter
How to build the ultimate shelter
How to build a simple shelter
Neighborhood Cats’ website

You're here to help animals. So are we. Please join us. »

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