How to Support Your Local Shelter During the Holiday Season

The holidays are all about giving, and what better way to give than by helping animals in need? Shelters continue to be overcrowded. Shelters Animals Count reported that 5.8 million animals entered shelters in 2024. And in their 2025 midyear report, they estimated that 2.8 million dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues across America, over the first half of this year alone.

The holidays arrive with several unique opportunities to support those local animal shelters. This includes organizing holiday-themed adoption events, working hands-on in the facility, or donating much-needed supplies. 

If you’re looking for a pet, adopting (versus shopping) is the best way to help ease the overcrowding. But long-term fostering, offering holiday “staycations,” or signing up for shelter dog walks are also extremely helpful. They all boost an animal’s chances of being adopted by positively impacting their stress and energy levels.

No matter how you choose to help, your contribution will brighten the season for shelter pets and their hardworking humans alike. Before you jump in, here’s what you should know about supporting your local pet shelter this holiday season.

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What do animal shelters need the most? 

Before making your holiday shopping list, consider adding a few items for your local animal shelter. A lot of shelters run low on essentials during the colder months. Donations can help keep pets warm, well-fed, and comfortable throughout the holidays. 

• Wishlists: The easiest way to know what your local shelter or rescue needs most is to ask them directly — or better yet, check their wishlist. Most shelters and rescues put together wishlists on major e-commerce sites (think Amazon and Chewy, to name a few) and link to exactly what they’re looking for, whether that’s basic paper towels or specialized foods for pets in need.

• Pet food: A full belly is one of the best gifts you can give a shelter pet. Donating wet and dry pet food — especially high-quality or specialty diet options — can make sure no pet goes hungry during the holiday season.

• Blankets: As temperatures drop, shelters need extra blankets to keep animals warm. But blankets do even more to keep them cozy: They help animals relax and feel a sense of comfort.

• Towels: Towels are used for everything from drying off dogs after a chilly walk to cleaning up messes. New and gently used towels are practical and much appreciated, especially during winter months.

• Bedding: Warm bedding makes a huge difference for shelter animals, especially during cold nights. Dog and cat beds and comforters in good condition can help pets feel safe and give them their own space, while they wait for their forever homes.

• Cleaning supplies: Shelters are constantly cleaning, especially around the holidays when they may take in more animals. It may not be a glamorous gift, but disinfectants, paper towels, and pet-safe cleaners are absolutely vital to keep shelters clean and healthy for pets and the humans caring for them.

• Toys: While essentials like food and blankets come first, giving shelter pets a new toy is extra special during the holidays. Durable, easy-to-clean toys are great — but it’s best to avoid rawhide or anything that can fray or rip easily.

What shelters usually can’t accept: Most shelters have strict rules about donations for safety reasons. That means homemade foods, open containers, prescription medications, or anything that’s expired usually can’t be accepted. Even treats or supplements need to be unopened and properly labeled. When in doubt, check with the shelter first—this helps keep their pets safe and healthy.

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Holiday volunteering opportunities at local animal shelters

If you’re looking to give back this holiday season, volunteering at your local shelter is a meaningful way to make a difference. Many shelters need extra help during the holidays, whether it’s through special events, fostering, or simply donating to the cause. 

Special event assistance 

Shelters will often host holiday-themed adoption events, which are a great way for pets to find homes before the new year. They can always use volunteers to help with everything from setup to answering questions to handling pets.

Related article

Fostering Pets: Should I Foster a Dog or Cat?

Fostering is a great way to dip your toes into the pet-parenting waters, while helping a pet in need.

Fostering or spending time with pets 

Holidays can be a hectic time for shelters, with an influx of animals, which leads to even more limited space. Fostering a pet is a great way to give them a break from the shelter while gifting yourself a furry companion for the season. If you can’t foster, visit shelters to walk dogs or socialize with cats to give them some much-needed love and attention.

Shelter decorations

Help your local shelter get into the holiday spirit by assisting them with putting up seasonal decorations. Simple touches like lights, garlands, or holiday-themed backdrops for photo ops can make the shelter feel more cheerful and welcoming for pets and visitors. Just make sure animals can’t reach any of the decorations, which could pose a safety hazard.

Help with social media campaigns

The holidays are a prime time for shelters to promote adoptions, fundraisers, and donations. If you’re savvy with social media, offer to help them manage their holiday campaigns or create festive content that can be shared across different platforms.

Holiday donation letters

Shelters will often send out donation letters or emails during the holiday season to ask for contributions. By helping them write and distribute these letters, you are spreading the word.

Creating holiday care packages 

Holiday care packages are a fun way to make the season special for shelter animals and staff. You could organize a gift basket (or even fill a stocking) with toys, treats, and cozy blankets for the animals. Or put together a staff appreciation package with snacks, coffee, and heartfelt notes thanking shelter employees and volunteers for their hard work. Small gestures like this go a long way in showing support.

Sponsoring a pet’s adoption

Sponsoring a pet’s adoption is a super simple way to change a life without bringing home a new buddy yourself. You cover the adoption fee so a dog or cat who’s been waiting gets a real shot at finding their person. Sponsoring a donation takes the pressure off potential pet parents, speeds up matches, and helps shelters keep doing the important work. Some shelters, such as Lakepaws, let you pick a dog’s ornament from their holiday tree and be their “angel” for the season.

Year-end monetary donation

If you have the financial means, consider a year-end lump-sum donation to your local shelter. Most shelters are nonprofits, meaning your donations are tax-deductible. It’s an easy way to support animals in need and benefit from a tax break before the new year. Many shelters and pet charities also have matching gift programs or ways to set up recurring donations that can extend beyond the holiday season.

Commonly asked questions

How to choose a reputable pet rescue organization? 

Not all pet rescue organizations are the same. Before donating or volunteering, do research to make sure the shelter or rescue is reputable. Look for organizations that are open about how they operate, are registered as a 501(c)(3), and have good reviews from your community. 

Can I write off pet-related donations? 

Yes! Most donations to shelters (monetary or physical goods and supplies) are tax-deductible as long as the shelter is a registered nonprofit. Just be sure to save your receipts, and check with your tax advisor before filing your year-end taxes.

What are some virtual ways to help shelters during busy holiday times?

If you can’t physically volunteer at your local shelter, there are still plenty of ways to help from home. Remote skills, such as posting on social media, creating fundraising campaigns, or even making fun seasonal graphics, can all benefit shelters during the holidays. A lot of shelters also have Amazon wishlists from which you can buy items they need and have them shipped directly to them.

Can you donate used dog toys to an animal shelter? 

Most of the time, shelters will accept gently used dog toys. Durable ones like KONGs or other tough rubber toys are especially popular. Just make sure they’re in good condition (not super ripped up with no chunks missing, and so on). If you aren’t sure, you can always check with the shelter to see what they can accept before taking them there.

References

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