How To Help Your Local Animal Shelter

Many people have a deep love of animals. We love to hold them and comfort them, play with them and tell our secrets to them. Dogs and cats can be faithful companions, our best friends when times turn tough.

Unfortunately, some people aren't well equipped to manage the responsibility that pet ownership requires. Whether emotions cloud good judgment or someone simply doesn't understand the level of care required by pets, sometimes the wrong people end up owning a cat or a dog. At least for a while.

Shelters take in animals that are lost or abandoned, rescued from poor homes, or from people with good intentions but without the means. Whatever the reasons, shelter dogs and cats need medical attention, food, shelter and love just as any other living mammal.

Often cats in a shelter are adversely affected by their surroundings. Even shelters which are set up to attend to their emotional and psychological needs sometimes find that cats which have been waiting for adoption for several months become restless, agitated or even a little aggressive. Part of the reason is they lack stimulation. The small cages don't afford them an opportunity to run, pounce, hide and stalk.

You can help your local animal shelter by considering a donation of some cat trees. Cat trees are furniture items built for use by cats. Constructed primarily of wood, carpet and sisal rope, cat trees come in varying heights and widths. Good cat trees may have a platform perch, an enclosure for hiding, a swing or pouch for lounging, and sisal for scratching.

Cat trees range in expense from sixty to several hundred dollars. If you're thinking of making a donation to your local animal shelter this year, speak with a representative to find out if they have the space for a few cat trees. The cats will greatly benefit, and you'll get a write-off for your taxes.