We're so glad you asked! There are many ways you can help support animal shelters and make a difference in the lives of homeless pets. Here’s how:

• Spay and neuter your pets. One of the biggest reasons animals end up in shelters is pet overpopulation. By fixing your pets, you help prevent unwanted litters and reduce the number of homeless animals.

• Donate supplies. Shelters and rescues always need supplies like unopened food, gently used or new toys, treats, beds, and blankets. Many animals are euthanized due to a lack of resources, so even a single can of food can make a difference.

• Volunteer your time. Many animals in shelters are euthanized simply because they are not socialized or comfortable around people. By volunteering to walk, play with, or care for animals, you can help them become more adoptable and increase their chances of finding a home.

• Donate money—every dollar helps. Even a small donation can go toward food, medical care, and shelter improvements that directly benefit animals in need.

• Host a fundraising event. Organizing a bake sale, garage sale, or other fundraiser is a great way to raise money for rescue animals. Posting signs or sharing online about where the money is going can encourage more people to contribute.

• Foster an animal. Fostering means caring for an animal in your home until they find a permanent family. Most rescues cover food and vet care costs, so fostering is a great way to help without financial burden. Not only does it help socialize the animal and give them a second chance, but it also frees up space in shelters for more animals in need.

• Spread the word. Even if you can't donate or foster, simply raising awareness can make a huge impact. Encourage people to spay/neuter their pets and adopt from shelters instead of buying from breeders. Share posts on social media, talk to friends and family, and help educate others about pet overpopulation.

• Participate in TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return). TNR helps control the stray cat population by humanely trapping, neutering/spaying, and returning cats to their outdoor colonies. This prevents them from reproducing and helps reduce the number of homeless animals. Learn more on our TNR page!

• Adopt, don’t shop. Never buy animals from pet stores or breeders—many pet store animals come from inhumane puppy mills, and purchasing from breeders only adds to the overpopulation crisis. Instead, adopt from shelters and rescues to give an animal a second chance at life.

By taking even one of these steps, you can save lives and make a lasting impact on the welfare of animals. Every effort counts!

Have you ever visited a public park or a busy outdoor area? Chances are, you have. At first glance, it might seem clean—but if you look closer, you’ll notice cups, straws, wrappers, and cans scattered around. Even tiny pieces of litter can harm the environment and wildlife in ways many people don’t realize.

Imagine you’re enjoying lunch at a park. You responsibly throw away your large trash, but the small ketchup packet seems insignificant—so you leave it behind. That tiny piece of litter could mean life or death for a hungry bird. A bird might mistake the packet for food, swallow it, and become unable to digest or pass it. Trapped inside the bird’s body, the plastic causes starvation, leading to a slow and painful death—all because of one forgotten ketchup packet.

And that’s just one example. Researchers estimate that over one million animals die each year from ingesting, choking on, or becoming entangled in garbage. This tragic loss wouldn’t happen if everyone took responsibility for their trash.

At One Wish Rescue, we are committed to making a difference by picking up litter in parks, lakes, and other polluted areas. But we can’t do it alone—we need your help! Always clean up after yourself, and if you see trash lying around, dispose of it properly. A small action, like picking up a single piece of litter, can save a life.

* Remember: Always separate recyclables from trash. Many bins have labels indicating what should go where—let’s all do our part to keep the environment clean and safe!

According to the ASPCA, approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters annually, with about 3.1 million being dogs and 3.2 million cats. 

Each year, around 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized—390,000 dogs and 530,000 cats. This number has significantly decreased from approximately 2.6 million in 2011, thanks to increased adoption rates and successful return-to-owner efforts. 

Approximately 710,000 dogs and 100,000 cats are returned to their owners each year. Additionally, around 2 million shelter dogs and 2.1 million shelter cats are adopted annually. 

In the U.S., it's estimated that 27 million puppies and kittens are born each year, contributing to overpopulation issues. 

While there are around 14,000 animal shelters, rescues, and sanctuaries in North America, this number is still insufficient to support the millions of animals entering shelters annually.

A single unspayed female cat can have up to three litters per year, with an average of four kittens per litter, potentially leading to over 180 kittens in her lifetime. Similarly, an unspayed female dog can have between 70 to 90 puppies over her lifetime.

Globally, the World Health Organization estimates there are nearly 200 million stray dogs worldwide, with an even higher number of stray cats. 

Interestingly, every dog has a unique nose print, much like human fingerprints, which can be used for identification purposes.