May 29 (Day 90) Coats For Cubs

Donate your old furs to wildlife!

Do you have an old fur coat in your closet? Is your grandmother's mink stole stored in the attic? Many of us have fur apparel that we no longer want or that was left to us by a family member. Some of us aren't comfortable selling it or giving it to charity, because we feel people should not wear animal fur. And storing, cleaning, and remodeling old fur coats are highly profitable services for furriers and helps keep them in the fur business. So what should people do with it?


Give it back to the animals. If you would like to see that old fur put to a good use, donate it to The Humane Society of the United States' Coats for Cubs program. The fur will aid and comfort wildlife.


Where Do the Furs Go?
All of the furs received by The HSUS are sent to wildlife rehabilitators, who use the furs to warm and comfort orphaned and injured wildlife. More than 200 rehabilitators from across the United States and Canada now participate in the program.


How Do the Furs Help Wildlife?
The furs are cut into an appropriate size for the animal, whether it be a bobcat, fox, raccoon, squirrel, or rabbit, and placed inside the animal's enclosure. The furry blanket becomes a surrogate mother to orphaned animals, reducing stress and giving comfort.  The HSUS accepts all fur apparel, fur trims, and fur accessories (such as hats, gloves, and muffs).


One rehabilitator related a story about a restless orphaned river otter who chirped constantly. Once she was given a fur blanket, she settled right down. Turning the sleeve of a fur coat inside out, a rehabilitator can also create a warm nest for a burrowing animal such as an opossum. Some animals adopt a piece of fur as a playmate, jumping on it and wrestling with it.


How Do I Donate?
Donating is easy: Place your fur in a sturdy box (a large padded envelope is fine for small items) and mail it to The HSUS at the following address:

          The Humane Society of the United States
          2100 L St., NW
          Washington, D.C. 20037
          Attn: Coats for Cubs




Need More Info? Click here.
Donate to HSUS programs.



Source:  Humane Society of the United States.
Website: hsus.org 

March 4 (Day 4) - Shelter Animals Need Your Help

Because of the economy many shelters have seen the number of surrendered animals increase beyond their capacity. Sadly, because of foreclosures and job losses many family pets have been surrendered as families are unable to afford to care for them.  Many shelters are full and struggling with caring for the increased number of animals.  Most shelters are seeking volunteers to help them in a variety of ways.  Click on the petfinder link www.petfinder.com/shelters.html and you can search for shelters in your area.  Check out the shelter's webpage and see what opportunities are available to assist - most shelters will list the areas in which they need help.  

WAYS TO HELP:

Wish List:  Does the shelter have a wishlist posted?  Can you provide them with some of the items on their wishlist? 

Volunteer:  Many shelters are looking for volunteers to assist in many ways... administrative work, cuddling with kittens, walking dogs, cleaning up.  There are many ways you can help! 

Foster an Animal:  Maybe you are unable to commit to adopting an animal but consider fostering an animal... you can provide a loving home for an animal until it is adopted by it's forever family. 

Adopt a Shelter Animal:  Can you provide a loving forever home to an animal in need?  Please consider adopting a shelter animal.  What's in it for you?  Besides knowing that you will be saving a life, you will enjoy the love and happiness of the animal you saved.

The ways to help and the needs are as varied as the shelters and animals they serve, but the reward is the same!   Lots of purrs and tail wags and the love and adoration of your new forever family member.