Three Ways to Help Homeless Pets This Holiday Season

Online, November 10, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Media Contact: Britta R. Moline
507.382.1407

For many Americans the holidays are a special time for giving. More than half report plans to donate to charity this year because they know the economic downturn makes their giving even more important.

But often, it is pets that also feel the effects of the still-faltering economy in a real way. As some Americans lost their jobs and homes, they were forced to surrender their beloved dogs and cats to animal impounds.

And more than 3 million of those former pets, around 50%, will be euthanized, simply due to overpopulation.

"What is heart-breaking, is that most of these animals would make fantastic companions," said Kate Benvenuti, Executive Director of Twin Cities Pet Rescue, the area's no-kill rescue organization. "They're given up by well-meaning people who don't know that half of their pets won't survive to find new homes."

If your family would like to help these homeless animals this holiday season, Benvenuti offers these three tips.

• Foster a Dog or Cat: Animal fosters provide an invaluable service to homeless animals. Instead of sitting in a loud, frightening shelter, animals get the chance to live in a warm and loving home environment. If they are transitioning from puppy mills or abuse situations, a foster home is a necessary step towards rehabilitation.

Often, the public is unaware that they can choose which type of dog or cat they would like to foster. Fostering can be a fun and meaningful experience for the entire family, and if it doesn't work out, Twin Cities Pet Rescue is always willing to take the pet back and try to find it a better fit with another family.

Twin Cities Pet Rescue provides food, supplies and veterinary care to all foster animals, so there is no expense to foster families who open their homes to animals in need. The more fosters available, the more at-risk animals can be saved.

• Donate To a Rescue: Of course, most Americans give to charity with money, and pet rescues are in need now more than ever. Each cash donation goes to covering spay and neutering services, life-saving veterinary care, and pet food and supplies.

You can donate directly to rescues online, or participate in fun and educational events, such as Fall Fest for Pets on November 21st, a silent auction and dinner hosted at Summit Brewery by Twin Cities Pet Rescue. Purchase your tickets here: http://fall_fest_for_pets.charityhappenings.org/

• Volunteer Your Time and Skills: If you'd like a more hands-on approach to saving homeless animals, pet rescues are always looking for volunteers to help coordinate events, perform home visits, help with nail-clipping or bathing, and several dozen other tasks. The ways you can help are limitless-almost any skill can be applied to helping out pets in need. Get creative with your entire family, do something you love, and save lives.

The need is greater than ever, says Benvenuti who has seen a dramatic rise in the homeless pet population the past 5 years.

"Every pet deserves a warm home," she said. "Especially in these hard Minnesota winters."

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About Twin Cities Pet Rescue: Founded in 2009, Twin Cities Pet Rescue is a Minnesota nonprofit, foster-based rescue organization. Animals that are rescued by Twin Cities Pet Rescue are placed in foster homes until they find their permanent home. TCPR is a no-kill organization that often takes in 'un-adoptable' animals, like senior and special needs animals, to give them a second chance. For more information or to donate directly, visit http://www.tcpetrescue.org/

For more information, pet success stories, high-quality photos or to schedule an interview with Kate Benvenuti, contact Britta R. Moline at 507.382.1407 or [email protected]