By Heidi Dahms Foster

Dog-rescue organizations do an incredible work in our communities, and their efforts improve the lives of countless animals that have strayed, been abandoned, or have lost their homes through no fault of their own.

Adoption fees are a very small percentage of the money needed to provide veterinary care, food, rehabilitation and training so these dogs can find new, loving homes. Public donations are crucial to the success of any rescue.

Monetary Donations

While material goods are most welcome, rescues also need regular monetary donations. Monetary donations can come in cash or gift cards.

  • Veterinary Care: Topping the list of monetary needs is veterinary care and surgeries. Many dogs that come into rescues are infested with parasites, or suffer from skin diseases such as mange. Others may have injuries from other animals attacking them, or broken limbs. Some need dental work, vaccinations and spay/neuter before they can be adopted.
  • Quality Food and Treats: A lot of dogs that come into rescues are malnourished and need quality food to regain their health. Healthy treats aid with rehabilitation and training.
  • Shelter Expenses: Physical shelter property must pay rent or mortgage, utilities, security and general property upkeep. Monetary donations help with these expenses, and with expansion when needed.
  • Cleaning and Kennel Supplies: Cleaning supplies are a big expense for rescues, because they must maintain proper sanitation to keep animals healthy. Shelters need dog food and water bowls and pet beds, collars and leashes.
  • Behavioral and Rehabilitation Training: If a rescue dog is to have a chance at a forever home, many times it must overcome trauma, fear or lack of training. Specialized training is a necessary expense for rescues.
  • Transportation: Transportation for rescues requires fuel, vehicle purchase and maintenance, and transport kennels.
  • Advertising and Rescue News: Adoptable animals must be in front of the public so they’ll have the best chance of finding a home. Advertising in local media and on social media is expensive, and office supplies are also needed.

Most Appreciated Donations

  • Dog Food & Treats: Unopened bags of adult or puppy kibble, canned/wet dog food, and training treats.
  • Cleaning Supplies: Paper towels, laundry detergent, bleach, disinfectant wipes, floor cleaners, and dish soap, heavy duty mops, brooms, buckets, and other cleaning tools are always in need. Puppy pee pads are always appreciated.
  • Dog Beds: New or used (in good condition) washable dog beds, fleece blankets, elevated beds, and towels.
  • Training Supplies: Non-retractable leashes, collars, and crates.
  • Durable Toys: Rubber or nylon chew toys and balls.

Local Rescue Needs and Where to Donate

  • AARF Animal Rescue and Sanctuary: Donation & contact info at aarfrescue.net.
    • Supply Needs: Bleach, liquid laundry detergent (any brand), dish soap (any brand), and water for volunteers. 
  • Barb’s Dog Rescue: Donation and contact information at barbsdogrescue.org.
    • Supply Needs: Gently used towels, sheets and blankets, food (both wet and dry), used or new dog toys, harnesses and leashes, and cleaning supplies (especially paper towels and trash bags).
  • Black Hat Dog Rescue: Donation and contact information at blackhathumanesociety.org.
    • Supply Needs: Food (puppy and adult), training treats, toys, collars, leashes, puppy pee pads, exercise pens, monetary donations for advertising and positive training classes for shy dogs.
  • Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue: Donation and contact information at dlrraz.org.
    • Supply Needs: Medium and large Martingale-style collars, leashes, toys, and dog kibble. Wishlist on Amazon at: tinyurl.com/3cx292n5
  • Dog Tree Pines Senior Dog Sanctuary: Donation and contact information at dogtreepines.com.
    • General Supply Needs: Nature’s Miracle Dog Urine Destroyer Plus (Enzymatic [Urine]), Uproot Clean Washing Machine Cleaning Tablets Ultra, OdoBan Disinfectant Concentrate & Odor Eliminator, TurFresh BioX Artificial Turf Odor Eliminator (1 gallon), Nature’s Miracle Dog Stain & Odor Remover (Enzymatic [White Bottle]), Nature’s Miracle Carpet Shampoo (Pet Stain Formula), and Nature’s Miracle Advanced Stain & Odor Eliminator (Red Bottle).
    • Medical Supplies: BH Supplies 3 mL Luer Lock Tip Syringes (sterile, no Needle, 25 Gauge × 5/8” [16 mm]) and Luer Lock Needles (100 Count).
    • Supplements and Wellness: Real Mushrooms Organic Turkey Tail Capsules, Standard Process Whole Body Multisystem Support for Canines, Organic Pumpkin Powder for Dogs, and Vital Nutrients BCQ (Vegan, 60 capsules).
    • Food and Treats: OC Raw Duck & Produce Frozen Raw Dog Food (Available at Frontier Dog & Co), Loyall Life Lamb & Brown Rice Kibble by Nutrena (available at CAL Ranch or Tractor Supply),
      and Bully Sticks (available at Costco).
    • Sanctuary Supplies: Artificial Garden Grass (5’×8’ [40 sq. ft.]) and
Fake Grass / Dog-Potty Grass
    • Wish Lists:
  • Humane Society of Wickenburg: Donation, contact information, and donation button at wickenburghumane.com. Donations can be dropped off at 4000 Industrial Way, Wickenburg, Arizona.
    • Supply Needs: Dog collars (medium and large), small dog harnesses, martingale collars (medium to large breeds), leashes, heavy chewer toys, and training treats. 
  • Little Orphan Animals: Contact for Donations is orphananimals@aol.com.
    • Supply Needs and Wish List: Foster homes, funds for spay/neuter, Rx/supplements, a tiny home for overflow pets, microchips, ID tags, DNA tests, washable piddle pads, crate pads, printing supplies (ink and paper), transporters and gasoline.
  • United Animal Friends: Donation information at unitedanimalfriends.org. Donations can be dropped off at Furr-tastic Finds™ Thrift Store (510 S Montezuma Street, Prescott; Wed-Sat 10a-4p); or donors can call 928-778-2924 to arrange a drop-off time at the UAF Rescue Ranch in Prescott.
    • Supply Needs: Purina Cat Chow Sensitive Stomach Gentle Dry Cat Food; Fancy Feast Classic Poultry & Beef Pate Collection Feast or Seafood Feast Variety Pack Canned Food; Fancy Feast Kitten Tender Chicken Feast or Tender Turkey Feast Canned Food; Purina Kitten Chow Year One Essentials Nutrients with Real Chicken High-Protein Kitten Dry Food; Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Powder Probiotic Digestive Supplement for Cats; Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Powder Probiotic Digestive Supplement for Dogs; and, Costco Beef and Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food.
  • Yavapai Humane Trappers: Donation and contact information at yavapaihumanetrappers.org.
    • Supply Needs: Dog food (Pure Balance Lamb and Fava Bean from Walmart), new puppy and dog toys, and gently used towels and blankets.
  • Yavapai Humane Society: Donation and contact information at yavapaihumane.org.
    • Supply Needs: Towels (we go through hundreds of towels every day), Puppy & Kitten Formula, Food for YHS Community Pet Food Pantry. Our biggest need is donations to fund our Second Chance Program and our Safety Net Program. 
    • Safety Net Program—Provides provides temporary care for pets while their owners work through difficult circumstances such as surgery, medical emergency, unexpected hospitalization, domestic violence situation, military deployment, house fire, or temporary housing.
    • Second Chance Medical Program—Provides assistance when a pet medical diagnosis expense is out of reach for a family. Through the YHS Clinic Team and veterinary staff, along with the generosity of donors, YHS is able to provide treatments that might otherwise be financially impossible for many families.