Fostering is always the first response to this question. If you can do this, even on a limited basis, please contact your closest rescue. Expect to fill out an application, have references checked and expect a home visit. We want our fostered Westies to be safe and we must take every precaution to be sure they will be.
If you can't foster but still want to help, there ARE things you can do! All Rescues need finanical assistance but all the money in the world won't do any good if there aren't people doing the actual work. So if you can help out, your time is at least as valuable as a donation!
IDEAS OF WAYS TO HELP
- Offer to transport dogs (Westies or other breeds in the name of Westie Rescue)
- Offer to walk a dog who is in foster care
- Offer to visit a foster dog who needs to learn to meet strangers
- Foster a Westie
- Offer to babysit a fostered dog for a few hours, a day, a weekend
- Adopt a shelter to visit weekly looking for Westies
- Pull Westies from shelters upon Rescue's request
- Donate long distance calling cards
- Donate use of a photocopier when large jobs arise
- Donate a gift certificate to a pet store
- Donate a raffle or auction item
- Donate a canine first aid kit
- Pay boarding fees on a dog who arrives when no foster space is available
- Make purchases through our web site to generate commissions
- Make purchases through our Cafe Press stores
- Make purchases of our other fundraiser items
- Link your site to our Rescue web site (ask for permission)
- Offer to conduct home visits for Westie Rescue or for other rescues in the name of Westie Rescue
- Have a yard sale and donate the proceeds to Rescue
- Donate to a local shelter (funds or goods) in the name of Westie Rescue to promote good feelings about Westie Rescue among the shelter personal
- Volunteer to do rescue in your area if there is no Westie Rescue available (Contact the National Rescue Committee)
- Talk up Rescue to your friends; maybe some of them would be willing to foster or transport
- Talk up the importance of spay/neuter!!
- Donate a carpet cleaning to a foster home
- Donate the cost and take a foster dog to obedience school
- Take your kids to visit foster dogs for socialization
- Offer to allow a foster dog to visit you and your cat!
- Offer to give daily car rides to a foster dog who doesn't like riding in the car
- Donate seat belt harnesses to foster homes so every dog can go to its new home with a harness; help train the dogs to use the harnesses
- Transport foster dogs to the groomer
- Donate printer paper, envelopes, printer or copier ink or stamps
- Offer to help with foster dog events such as the annual Rescue Parade
- Pay for a newspaper ad for rescue (in the same section of the want ads that advertise Westies) Contact Rescue to do this.
- Microchip your own Westies and register those microchips!!!!
- If you are a breeder, microchip your puppies and make sure your buyers know you will take that dog back at any age to find it a new home (so they will contact you and not Rescue)
- If you are a breeder, donate a small portion of each puppy sale to Rescue
- If you are a breeder, allow Rescue to board a dog in your kennel when they are overfilled, or even better, foster your Breed.
- When you find a doggie item that you love, buy two and donate one to Rescue for use or as a fundraiser.
- Make sure your will covers the care of your dogs so they won't end up in Rescue. If they must come to Rescue, make sure your estate will cover their expenses including any boarding costs while your will is being probated.
- Donate your professional services (e.g., lawyer, accountant, vet, artist, etc.)
- Make yourself and your home available on an emergency basis (e.g., medical and family emergencies of foster parents, puppy mill busts, etc.)
- Offer a shoulder for the foster parent to cry on when things get overwhelming
- Come up with other ideas and implement them in conjunction with Rescue.
CLICK HERE TO READ SARAH'S STORY
(Donations will be deposited in the Rescue account upon receipt)
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