The Great Eight: 8 Ways to Support Your Local Rescue
Hello, amazing Barkery pack!
We know that not everyone is in the position to adopt a dog, but plenty of you still want to help and support animals in need… and we reckon the best way to support adoptable animals is by supporting the shelters that care for them!
The wonderful humans who work at rescues and shelters are there because they truly care about creating better outcomes for dogs - despite being incredibly busy, woefully underfunded and often pretty tired and stressed out. We’ve put together a list of some great ways you can help to support your local rescues, and take off some of the strain.
Host a fundraising event
Most rescues and shelters are charities, and the majority of their funding comes from donations and fundraising.
Rescue organisations are often short on time and resources, so don’t be afraid to set up your own fundraising event! Whether it’s organising a sports club raffle, hosting an office morning tea, or holding a streetwide garage sale, there’s no limit to creative fundraising ideas (and we would love to hear yours in the comments).
Don’t worry if your event is only small - every little bit really does count.
Imagine the impact it would have if everyone who read this newsletter managed to raise $50 for their local shelter… if we made that happen, the Barkery community would have contributed nearly $40,000 to awesome rescues.
HEATH FRANKLIN FROM CHCH BULL BREED RESCUE, TAKING SOME TIME OUT TO STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS
Volunteer at your local shelter
Without the support of their volunteers, rescue organisations wouldn’t be able to keep up with the everyday demands of keeping the dogs in their care happy, healthy, and safe.
So if you’ve been thinking about starting a new hobby, chuck out the stamp collecting book and do something truly fulfilling instead… volunteer at your local rescue! It might not be all puppy-patting and long walks on the beach (after all, someone’s got to clean out those kennels), but volunteering is rewarding, fun, and you’ll make some great friends - both two-legged and four-legged - along the way.
Get in touch with your local shelter directly to learn about their volunteer training programme and how you can help.
Foster a rescue dog
Fostering is an overlooked part of the rescue and rehabilitation process, and one of the most valuable ways you can help out a shelter and a dog in need! Fostering a pup at your house means there’s one more space available at the shelter, and it gives the dog some great practice at being in a home environment.
It’s also a lovely thing to do for a dog - rescue organisations take amazing care of the animals they look after, but there’s nothing quite like a loving home environment to provide a safe and calming place for dogs to fully express their personalities and become ready for long-term adoption.
If long-term adoption isn’t the right fit for your family, talk to your local rescue organisation and find out if fostering is right for you.
Give paw-some gifts
Embrace the gift of giving! Whether it’s doggo-themed merchandise or replacing a traditional present with a donation, ‘tis the season to put your Christmas spirit to good use.
Rather than a physical present, ask friends and family to donate to a rescue organisation on your behalf. It’s a win-win - they’ll be giving a gift they know you’ll love, and they’ll feel great about contributing to a good cause. (And it’ll save you from receiving yet another pair of festive socks.)
Most shelters have great merchandise available to purchase online - and when the proceeds go to benefit a doggo in need of a loving home, why would you shop for your Christmas gifts anywhere else? We’re proud to sponsor the Chained Dog Rehabilitation & Rehoming 2020 ‘Mutts & Muscles’ calendar, which is full of gorgeous dog eye candy for the year ahead (and a few men as well).
Check out your local shelter’s website for their merchandise options - or if you prefer to shop in person, drop in to the Dogwatch Variety Shop.
NANA DOESN’T NEED ANY MORE TEA TOWELS, YOU SHOULD PROBABLY GIVE HER THIS INSTEAD
Make a non-financial donation
While financial donations are always incredibly helpful to rescue shelters, there are plenty of other ways to give back.
Bedding, toys, leads, and even plastic kids’ paddling pools are some of the items currently on shelter wishlists - just check out your local shelter’s website to find out what items they need.
If it feels right for your family, donating a pet’s toys after they pass on can be a beautiful way to honour their memory and make sure their favourite items continue to be enjoyed.
Spread the word
Word of mouth has always been the best form of advertising - so, welcome to the Rescue Dog Publicity Team!
The Barkery crew were amazed at how many of our own friends and family simply didn’t know about the rescue organisations in Christchurch - and now that we’ve brought them up to speed, the doors are open for them to adopt or foster in the future.
Some shelters have posters and stickers available that you can display at your business or on your car, and something as small as tagging a friend in a post or sharing to your own social media can be the start of a story that ends in a new furever home.
THIS IS MARLEY FROM DOGWATCH, HE WOULD LIKE YOU TO TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT HIM PLEASE
Sponsor a shelter
Let your business do something awesome. Ongoing sponsorship is a big part of helping rescue organisations do their work, and it’s a fantastic way to show your suppliers and clients that your business gives back to the community.
Talk about it enough, and some of those clients and suppliers might even join you on the list of sponsors!
Share your unique skills!
No matter your profession, chances are there’s an opportunity to help your local shelter by donating your time and expertise. Whether you’re a lawyer, a sparky, a courier driver or a landscape designer… there’s no harm in reaching out to see if your skills could be of assistance.
We’re all talented and all have unique gifts, why not see if yours can help your local rescue?
The Barkery works closely with the awesome people at Dogwatch and Christchurch Bull Breed Rescue - check out their websites for more information on how to support.
If this has sparked your interest and you have a creative idea for a fundraiser or want to chat, feel free to email us: woof@thebarkerychch.co.nz
Thanks for reading - we hope you feel as inspired as we do to get out there and support these awesome people and pups.
With tails wagging,
The Barkery team