Donations help shelters survive holiday needs

By Beth Leermakers

As the season of giving begins, please don’t forget animals who need a little help — and the people who care for them. Whether you’re decluttering your house for guests, shopping for gifts or have a bit of free time over the holidays, here are a few ways to support your local shelters and rescue groups (without spending any money, in some cases).

Donate Pet Food or Supplies 

Donate food to help families keep their cats and dogs instead of surrendering them to a full shelter. Several organizations (including Operation Kindness and the SPCA, mentioned in my September 19, 2025 column) accept donated food to share with families in need. 

Dallas Animal Services (DAS) Pet Food Pantry Drive. Drop off unopened bags of cat or dog food (or cat litter) at Dallas Animal Services (1818 N. Westmoreland Dr., Dallas), or donate through these websites: 

AMAZON: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/GUZC58UCZW4T

CUDDLY: cuddly.com/donate/4952688/das-pet-food-pantry.

Dallas Pets Alive Pet Food Drive. Drop off pet food cans or bags (must be unopened and unexpired) at 

Community Beer Company (3110 Commonwealth Drive, Dallas) Wednesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. and get a free pint of beer as a thank you through November 30! 

The Humane Society of Dallas County (2719 Manor Way, Dallas) accepts donations daily from 12–5 p.m.   

For more information, visit dallaspetsalive.org/dpapetfooddrive.

Donate supplies, including used linens, to a shelter. If you want to drop off items, Dallas Animal Services always needs:

• Towels and blankets (used are fine!)

• Dog treats (especially small, stinky treats for training)

• Dog toys (e.g., Kongs, Nylabones and similar “tough” toys)

• Cat toys

• Plastic pet carriers (I sometimes collect these during big trash pickup week in my neighborhood)  

• Leashes

• Unscented baby wipes

• Large and small black wire crates 

• Peanut butter (smooth, not crunchy)

Or visit bedallas90.org/donate for links to the shelter’s Amazon and Chewy wish lists.  

Turn unwanted household items into cash. Donate to Impact (donate2impact.com/donate) will pick up clothing, shoes, purses, books, toys, electronics and small appliances (working or not). You select the charity you want to support. 

Passport For Paws (a rescue group that sends hundreds of North Texas cats and dogs to rescue groups in Minnesota and Wisconsin, where there are more people looking to adopt) has a Donate to Impact fundraiser from December 8-21.   

Spend Time with a 

Shelter Dog

Take a DAS dog on a Doggie Daycation. Give a pup a much-needed break from the shelter stress and help him get adopted. The information and photos you provide increase the chances of the dog being chosen by an adopter or foster parent. Most dogs that are eligible for Doggie Daycations are medium or large, so you must be able to handle a more than 40 pound dog. A leash and harness are provided. Visit bedallas90.org/doggie-daycations/ for more information and to sign up. Email DASVolunteer@dallas.gov if you have any questions.

 Foster a Dog for a Week 

or Two Over the Holidays 

— or Beyond 

DAS needs short and longer-term foster homes, especially now when the shelter is beyond full. Sign up for a Holiday Staycation — host a foster dog in your home for one or two weeks. Pick up the dog on November 22 or 23, return by November 30. Or pick up on December 20 or 21, return by December 28 or January 4. Email DASfta@dallas.gov with questions. Want to foster beyond the holidays? Visit bedallas90.org/foster/ for information and to apply. 

Volunteer With Cats

DAS has several volunteer opportunities for cat lovers, including socializing and photographing the cats and assisting with the kitten nursery or adoptions. Visit bedallas90.org/volunteer/ to sign up. 

Show Appreciation for the Shelter Staff

Working in a shelter is often a thankless, heartbreaking job. I often take treats (store-bought cookies or brownies, sports drinks during hot weather) for the shelter staff. They are always grateful to be appreciated. 

More Ways to Support Animals this Holiday Season

On Facebook, watch for silent auctions, pet photos with Santa or the Grinch, and other fundraisers benefiting local shelters and rescue groups. Here are two opportunities to support local rescue groups while shopping for gifts:

Custom pet portraits. For a $10 donation, a volunteer for Ace’s Place All Dog Rescue will create a (poorly drawn but super cute!) portrait of your dog or cat (or a friend’s). Visit acesplacerescue.org/donate to donate $10, then send proof of payment and a photo of your pet to acesplacerescue@gmail.com. This fundraiser runs through November 20. 

Jewelry and accessories. Attend a Kendra Gives Back party at Kendra Scott in The Shops at Clearfork (in Fort Worth) on Sunday, Dec. 7 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., or use code GIVEBACK-KEWFX to shop online (kendrascott.com) from December 7-10. Allie’s Haven Animal Rescue will receive 20 percent of the proceeds. Thank you for helping animals. Saving lives and caring for pets takes a village.  

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