Make a difference this holiday season with donations to local pet shelters

Our hearts tend to become a little more generous during the holiday season. As you’re thinking about sharing gifts with family, neighbors and co-workers, remember some furry friends could use your love too. ‘Tis the perfect season for helping out Utah pet shelters that support pets in need of loving homes.

How you can help adoptable pets

Best Friends Animal Society and the Humane Society of Utah rely on donations from the public to provide for homeless animals throughout the year. Both Utah pet shelters work to find homes for all kinds of pets, from dogs to cats and turtles to birds. According to Best Friends, 4.8 million dogs and cats were placed in shelters in 2024 alone.

Donate to a local animal shelter

Financial donations are appreciated anytime of year. This Christmas, you can help by giving one large donation up front. But why not make your gift keep on giving? It's simple! Just sign up for a monthly donation. On the Best Friends and Humane Society websites, you can choose from a suggested dollar amount or enter your own. Your donations help cover the cost of food, bedding, toys, vaccinations and more.

Donate to Best Friends here →

Donate to the Humane Society of Utah here →

To help the animal community, consider fostering a pet this year.

Foster a pet

Maybe you aren’t ready for a permanent pet in your life, but you can care for one temporarily when you foster a pet. You might support an animal recovering from an injury or illness, an animal needing behavioral training, or a baby animal not yet ready for adoption.

Loud shelters can be stressful for pets, especially if they are shy or easily frightened. When you foster a dog or cat from one of Utah’s pet shelters, you’ll be helping them learn to form healthy bonds and to feel safe. 

You’ll also be helping save more lives. As you welcome a pet into your home, you’re freeing space in the shelter for others. The Humane Society of Utah said it relies on foster volunteers to provide homes for some 2,000 animals every year. 

Volunteer at an animal shelter

Feeling seasonal stress? This year, the best holiday pet donation might be your time. Get your mind off the hustle and bustle by volunteering at your local animal shelter. Call ahead to learn how you can help. You might provide the valuable service of feeding animals or cleaning out cages, or you could simply interact with the pets in a positive way.

You can help the animal community this holiday season by volunteering your time.

Why you should adopt a pet this Christmas

If your wish list includes a new furry friend this season, visit a shelter to see all the adoptable pets in Utah. While you may be thinking a puppy or kitten under the tree would be fun, consider the benefits of adopting an older pet.

Adult dogs, for example, have a much more predictable personality than a rambunctious puppy. Also, older dogs typically require less supervision, whereas a puppy will need constant attention. New pooches need to be potty trained, which can be a huge chore, whereas an older one is likely already trained. Mature dogs are more keen to learn new tricks too.

Not sure if you’ll be compatible? At the Humane Society of Utah, there’s space to spend some time with your future pet before adopting.

You can find animals currently available for pet adoption in Utah on KSL Pets. 

Buy some pet merch that gives back

You can support Utah pet shelters while doing your Christmas shopping. Visit the Best Friends or Humane Society websites to shop for unique gifts such as pet-themed apparel, water bottles, bags and stickers. What cat lover wouldn’t purr over a “Salt Lake Kitty, Utah” T-shirt?

Adopt a dog as a Christmas gift for your family this year.

What is the Humane Society of Utah?

Utahns have been supporting the Humane Society of Utah since 1960, when its first shelter opened in West Valley. The nonprofit shelter recently celebrated its 65th birthday, having grown from a small shelter in West Valley to two Utah locations — Murray and St. George. 

Today, in addition to sheltering and finding homes for animals, Utah’s Humane Society provides spay/neuter services and vaccinations. You can also find training resources to help you settle in with your adopted pet. 

What is Best Friends Animal Society?

Best Friends was started in southeastern Utah in 1984 by a group of friends passionate about rescuing pets. They believe every pet shelter in America can become a no-kill site. 

From the beginning, Best Friends not only took in abandoned pets, but also animals that needed training or emotional support to become adoptable. It has since expanded and today has adoption centers in Salt Lake City, as well as major cities including Los Angeles and New York.

Help Utah’s adoptable pets this holiday

This season, make your gift giving even more meaningful by extending your holiday spirit to sheltered pets. Whether you donate money or time, you can make a difference. And if you’re ready to welcome a pet to your home, get the best gift of all: a new family friend.

Find adoptable pets on KSL Pets