SPREADING

The lights are up, holiday scents are wafting out of the oven, and you are trying to figure out the perfect gifts to make your loved ones smile. As you check off names on your list, remember that someone else could use a little holiday cheer this season… rescue animals!

DONATE SUPPLIES Animal rescues and shelters are always in need of supplies to keep the pets comfy and healthy while they wait for their furever families. Consider dropping off food (wet and dry), litter, toys, or a nice comfy bed. Many rescues have owner support programs so if they don’t need the supplies for their adoptable animals, they’ll go to a family struggling to make ends meet for their fur babies.

Bonus Idea: Are you hosting a Secret Santa this year? Instead of buying generic gifts that will likely be re-gifted the following year, why not select an animal rescue to support, and buy supplies for the homeless animals? DONATE MONEY It costs a great deal to vet an animal and then feed them and provide shelter until they get adopted. While rescues charge an adoption fee, that fee rarely covers the full cost. Community donations are essential to continue saving lives. This holiday season; please make a financial contribution to your local rescue.

Bonus Idea: Get together with a few friends and decide to skip the gifts this year. Instead, donate to your favorite rescue in each other’s honor. VOLUNTEER If you’ve got a few hours to spare, there are dogs that could use a good walk and some extra socialization, and cats who would love to be brushed (and maybe even have their litter box cleaned). The more time animals spend with humans, the more adoptable they become. If you aren’t comfortable working directly with the animals because “I’ll want to take them all home!” there are other tasks that need to be done. Check with your local rescue and see how else you can help.

Bonus Idea: Turn those few hours into a New Year’s resolution and commit to volunteering all year round. You’ll be surprised how amazing you feel. FOSTER Being in a kennel can be difficult for an animal. Even in the best of environments, the lack of full-time socialization and cuddles can be hard on them. When you foster an animal, you take them into your home as a temporary part of your family. You snuggle them, help train them, and show them what it means to be truly loved. And, the rescue pays the bills. Fostering saves lives and what better way to spread joy?

Bonus Idea: Sometimes, your foster is the perfect match for your family. You weren’t looking for another fur baby, but you found one. It’s perfectly okay to adopt your foster and make them a permanent part of your family. ADOPT If you’d like to add a new baby to the family, please adopt. There are so many lovable animals waiting for the right home. Plus, with the family off from school and work around the holidays, it’s the perfect time to welcome a new family member.

Bonus Idea: What’s better than adopting a pet? Adopting two.

Sheryl Green is an author, writing coach, and passionate animal advocate, serving as the Director of Communications and Cuddling for Hearts Alive Village Las Vegas. Find her at www.sherylgreenspeaks.com.

Toxicity ranges from mild to severe, and the amount of plant consumed determines how sick a pet may become. Signs most commonly seen with toxic plant ingestion relate to the gastrointestinal tract: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sometimes excessive salivation.

Two Excellent Resources: www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poisoncontrol/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants www.petpoisonhelpline.com