Article: If you’re feeling healthy and haven’t been exposed to coronavirus, you may be able to assist the animal shelter with their day-to-day operations. Call the shelter and ask if they’re accepting volunteers and how you can help them out. They may have you fill out an online application or schedule a time for you to come in so they can meet you. Many shelters aren’t accepting volunteers to help limit the spread of coronavirus, so always call ahead or check the shelter’s website. First, check the shelter’s website to see if they have links to a wishlist since they may have picked out specific items that they need. If you don’t see a wishlist on their website, try giving them a call and asking to see if they’re running low on supplies or what they could use the most. On top of cleaning up after the animals, shelter employees also need to disinfect to limit the spread of coronavirus. Get cleaning products that have been certified by the EPA to kill COVID-19, or look for a solution that has at least 70% alcohol. You can also send paper towels, cleaning cloths, and garbage bags so the shelter doesn’t run out and get messy.  You can find a list of effective disinfectants here: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2. Check the labels on the cleaning products to make sure they’re safe to use around animals. Try calling your local shelter to see what kind of food they need the most. Choose a variety of dry dog and cat foods, wet canned foods, and milk or formula for kittens and puppies. If the shelter also takes care of small animals, like rabbits and guinea pigs, pick up some food pellets or feed as well. Avoid giving pet food that’s already been opened or used so you don’t spread any form of contamination to animals in the shelter. Animals in shelters can sometimes feel stressed or anxious, but soft blankets and towels can make them more relaxed. You can buy new blankets or wash some old ones you have at home before donating them. Opt for fleece or plush fabrics to make the animals feel the most comfortable. Some shelters may not accept blankets or towels to help limit the spread of coronavirus. If you find some old ones in your home, save them until the shelter reopens to the public before donating them. Rabbits and guinea pigs love to chew on things, and cardboard tubes are perfect for enriching their lives. After you use the last sheet of toilet paper or paper towel, save it in a shoebox or another container so you can collect them. Once you have a full box, donate it to the shelter so the small animals can have toys too. Some cats and dogs will also play with cardboard tubes, but call your shelter ahead of time to see if they allow them as donations. Even if you don’t have money to spend on new pet supplies, you may be able to reuse old materials as pet toys. For example, you can tie strips of fleece through the holes of a rubber sink mat to make a snuffle mat for dogs and cats to sniff around in. You can also sew small fleece pillows with some catnip inside to keep cats entertained. If you don’t have time to make toys, you can also buy them from a pet store or online. Look up the address for the animal shelter and use it as the shipping address for any online orders. Otherwise, send your items in a care package using the post office or a delivery service. That way, you don’t have to leave home or put yourself at risk of getting coronavirus. Some animal shelters have outdoor drop-offs so you can take the supplies there yourself. Call the shelter to see what delivery method they’d prefer. Even if the shelter isn’t accepting physical donations, they may still have options to support them financially. Look on their website to see if there’s a link that says “Donate” or something similar. Give as much money as you’re comfortable with to show your support and help keep the animals safe.

What is a summary?
See if you can volunteer at the shelter to help out. Check if your local shelter has a wish list of supplies they need. Buy cleaning supplies to help keep the shelter sanitary. Get pet food to help feed the animals. Give clean blankets and towels to help comfort the animals. Collect toilet paper and paper towel tubes to use for small animal toys. Make homemade toys if you want to do something crafty. Send the supplies directly to the shelter to help limit physical contact. Look for an online donation page if you’d rather give money.