Let your donations go to the dogs (and cats, and rabbits, and guinea pigs...)
At Lisa Linard & Co., we love our pets!
In our team Zoom calls, it’s not unusual to see Nimbus’ tail drift across Stephanie’s screen or Renji leap onto Lisa’s desk and proudly deliver a toy mouse. And Briggs, Scooby, and Shiloh can often be heard in the background competing for Meg’s, Sarah’s, and Amanda’s attention.
As lovers of all creatures great and small, it brings us joy to help local animal shelters by donating items our clients no longer need. For many of our clients, donating gently used household items to an animal shelter is a rewarding way to give those items a second life with a literally warm and fuzzy purpose.
What’s on the wish list?
Many animal shelters welcome linens like flat sheets, blankets, and towels, which are used daily for bedding and cleaning. However, there are some items they typically can’t accept, including down-filled bedding, knitted or yarn blankets, curtains, and fitted sheets.
Many shelters also accept toys, leashes, crates, litter, and cleaning supplies such as paper towels and bottles of bleach. Some even welcome office supplies. Pet food and treats are sometimes accepted as well, though often only certain brands or formulas. Just like human food pantries, most shelters cannot accept opened or expired food.
The moral of the story is this: it’s always best to find out what shelters actually need, rather than guessing or assuming. Donations that they can't use end up costing them disposal fees, turning your donation into a loss for the organization.
Many shelters list their current wish lists on their website. And if they don’t, a quick phone call will usually point you in the right direction.
Places that welcome donations
We’re frequent visitors to MSPCA Nevins Farm in Methuen, Mass., conveniently located just off Route 213 near I-93 and I-495. They even offer a drop-off bin outside their front door, making it easy to donate even outside of regular hours.
If you’re in Eastern Massachusetts or Southern New Hampshire, these organizations will likely be happy to receive your donations:
- Animal Rescue League (Boston, Brewster, and Dedham, MA)
- Buddy Dog Humane Society, Inc. (Sudbury, MA)
- Gifford Cat Shelter (Brighton, MA)
- Lowell Humane Society (Lowell, MA)
- MSPCA Boston (Jamaica Plain, MA)
- MSPCA Northeast Shelter (Salem, MA)
- NHSPCA (Stratham, NH)
- Quincy Animal Shelter (Quincy, MA)
- Sweet Paws Rescue (Groveland)
There are many more organizations out there, each with its own specific needs. A quick online search for “animal shelter near me” will turn up plenty of options.
Before donating, take a moment to check a shelter’s website or give them a quick call. It helps ensure your donation makes the biggest possible impact. (Pro tip: Sometimes information about donating goods can be buried. Look for "in-kind donations" or "wish list," or use an AI assistant to find the direct link to the donation page.)
A little comfort goes a long way
A worn towel, an abandoned toy, or a crate collecting dust in the basement can provide warmth, comfort, enrichment, and care during a stressful time for an animal in need.
For many of our clients, donating to animal shelters feels especially meaningful because they know their items are helping vulnerable animals while also keeping usable goods out of the landfill. Decluttering is an opportunity to help people, pets, and the planet at the same time.
So the next time you’re sorting through linens, pet supplies, or household extras, consider letting your donations go to the dogs... and cats, and rabbits, and guinea pigs... You’ll make life cozier for a hopeful animal waiting for its forever home while making space in yours!
