Donating pet food may seem like the most obvious way to help an animal shelter, but food isn’t the only supply these organizations run out of every day. Towels, laundry detergent, cleaning products, and other household basics can be just as useful for keeping animals comfortable and their living spaces clean.
Many of these items are affordable, and you may already have some at home that you no longer need. Before dropping off a donation, check the shelter’s wish list to see what it accepts and what its staff needs most.
Clean Towels
Old bath towels and hand towels can still be useful even if they’ve seen better days in your own bathroom. Shelters use them to dry animals after baths, clean up spills, wipe muddy paws, and provide extra padding when needed.
Related: 12 Reasons You Shouldn’t Throw Out Your Old Towels Yet
Blankets
Washable blankets give dogs and cats a softer, warmer place to rest while they wait for adoption. They can be especially helpful for young animals, older pets, and those recovering from illness or medical procedures.
Laundry Detergent
Shelters wash a steady stream of towels, blankets, bedding, and washable pet items, so detergent runs out quickly. Check the shelter’s wish list for preferred products before donating, since some facilities have particular laundry needs.
Paper Towels
Paper towels come in handy for cleaning up spilled water, food messes, muddy pawprints, and other everyday accidents. An unopened multipack is an easy donation that staff can use right away.
Garbage Bags
Animal shelters produce plenty of waste from kennel cleaning, litter changes, and general housekeeping. Unopened boxes of garbage bags in the sizes the shelter uses can help replenish a supply that staff reaches for throughout the day.
Cat Litter
Shelters caring for many cats can go through bags of litter quickly because litter boxes need frequent cleaning. Check whether the shelter prefers clumping, non-clumping, or a particular type of litter before donating.
Leashes, Collars, and Harnesses
Shelter dogs need secure gear for walks, outdoor breaks, transport, and trips to adoption events. Clean, gently used leashes, collars, and harnesses may be welcome if the buckles work properly and the material is free from fraying or damage.
Related: 14 Places That Will Happily Take Your Pet’s Unused Supplies
Food and Water Bowls
Shelters need enough bowls to feed and water all the animals in their care while other dishes are being washed. Durable, easy-to-clean bowls are often a practical choice, but check with the shelter before bringing in used ones.
Cleaning Supplies
Keeping kennels, cages, floors, and shared areas clean takes a steady supply of gloves, scrub brushes, and approved cleaning products. Ask the shelter which products it uses before donating disinfectants or other chemicals, since some household cleaners may be unsafe around animals.
Related: 13 Cleaning Mistakes You Should Stop Making
Pet Beds
A comfortable bed gives an animal somewhere soft to rest while waiting for a permanent home. Some shelters accept gently used beds, while others require new ones because of cleaning and sanitation rules, so check before bringing one in.
