Helping Shelter & Rescue Dogs
A portion of every Wullie Wear order goes back to helping shelter and rescue dogs still waiting for their forever homes. Every purchase supports the dogs who need it most and the organizations caring for them.
There are also many ways you can help directly. Whether you want to support from home or get involved in person, every effort makes a real difference.
Simple Ways to Help From Home
Share Adoptable Dogs Online
One of the most effective ways to help. Sharing adoptable dogs on social media gets them seen by more people and can lead directly to an adoption.
Engage With Rescue Posts
Liking, saving, commenting, and sharing rescue posts boosts visibility and helps each dog reach a wider audience.
Donate Through Wish Lists
Most shelters have Amazon or Chewy wish lists. You can ship needed items directly to them without leaving your home.
Meaningful Ways to Support Your Local Shelters
Donate Supplies or Funds
Food, blankets, cleaning supplies, and toys are always needed. Monetary donations help cover medical care and daily essentials.
Volunteer Your Photography Skills
Clear, well-lit photos have a major impact on adoption rates. Updated photos and videos help adopters connect with the dogs more easily.
Walk or Socialize Shelter Dogs
Regular walks, enrichment, and calm interaction help ease stress and allow dogs to relax, making it easier for adopters to see their true personalities.
High-Impact Ways to Change a Dog’s Life
Take a Dog Out for an Outing
Short outings or brief field trips lower kennel stress, help dogs show their true personalities, and increase their visibility in the community. They also offer a clearer look at a dog’s behavior and allow for updated photos and videos that better reflect who they are, strengthening their adoption profiles and helping match them with the right home.
Studies show that dogs who go on short outings are five times more likely to be adopted compared to dogs who remain in the kennel. Check with your local shelter to see if they allow field trips.
Foster a Dog
Fostering gives a dog a quiet, safe place to decompress while waiting for a permanent home. Many rescues and shelters provide supplies and cover medical needs, making fostering accessible for most people.
Dogs who spend time in temporary foster care are fourteen times more likely to be adopted compared to dogs who stay in the shelter full-time.
Fostering is one of the most impactful ways to change a dog’s life, and it also frees up space in the shelter or rescue for additional dogs in need.
Adopt a Dog
Adoption saves lives. Bringing home a shelter dog gives them a second chance and opens space for another dog in need. Take time to meet dogs, ask questions, and choose one that fits your lifestyle so you can set each other up for long term success.
Before Getting a Dog
Bringing a dog into your life is a long term commitment. Before adopting or purchasing a dog, take time to research breeds, energy levels, and training needs to make sure you find a dog that fits your lifestyle long term. Every dog requires time, patience, consistency, and financial care. Dogs are not temporary or seasonal. They depend on their families for their entire lives, and choosing to bring one home means being ready to support their well being from the first day to their last. Making this commitment not only helps your dog live a great life but also helps reduce strain on already overwhelmed shelters.
Shelter dogs especially need time to settle into a new environment. Moving from a stressful kennel into a home can feel overwhelming at first. Many shelters and trainers use the general “3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months” guideline to help set expectations. The first few days are about decompressing. Allow the dog time to adjust and settle in slowly. Avoid introducing them to a lot of new things right away. Give them space to get comfortable in their new home and destress from the shelter environment before adding new experiences or overwhelming them.
The next 3 weeks are when their personality begins to come through. The 3 months are when trust builds and they start to fully relax and feel at home. Please keep in mind that the “3 rule” is only a general guideline. Every dog is different, and some may take longer to settle in.