The holidays are a time for giving, and rescue dogs across the country need our support more than ever. Whether you're searching for an adoptable dog to welcome into your family or looking for ways to make a difference without adopting, there are countless opportunities to help dogs in need this season.
Every year, shelters and rescue organizations face increased challenges during the winter months. Donations drop while the need for resources grows, and many dogs wait patiently for loving homes. The good news? Even small acts of kindness can create lasting change for these sweet pups and the shelters and rescue organizations that care for them.
Why rescue dogs need support during the holidays
The holiday season brings unique challenges for rescue organizations and the dogs they serve. While families are busy with celebrations and travel, shelters continue their round-the-clock work of saving lives and providing care.
Winter weather means higher heating costs for shelters that house dogs and cats. Medical expenses don't take a holiday break—rescue dogs still need to be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and treated for any health conditions. Food and treats, leashes, harnesses, and basic necessities remain constant needs, even when donation levels fluctuate.
Many people assume shelters receive plenty of support during the holidays, but the reality is a different story. Dogs spending the holidays in a shelter facility miss out on the warmth and love of a home. Your support — whether through your presence and time, donations, or spreading awareness— brings hope to dogs waiting for their second chance at happiness.
Small actions that make a big difference
You don't need unlimited resources to make a meaningful impact. Rescue organizations thrive on community support, and even modest contributions create ripples of positive change.
Donate food, treats, or supplies
Check your local shelter's website or contact them directly to learn what items they need most. Many organizations maintain a wishlist on their website or other sites making it easy to send supplies and to be sure you're giving things the rescue can truly use.
High-quality dog food tops most shelter wish lists along with other essentials like durable leashes, collars, and harnesses in various sizes, food and water bowls, and safe toys and chews for enrichment and stress reduction.
Natural, healthy treats and chews can be especially valuable for rescue dogs, helping during training and giving them a chance to happily de-stress through the instinctive, self-soothing act of chewing. A few favorite all-natural and nutritious chew treats that shelters often add to their wishlists:
Mighty Paw Yak Cheese Chews - Long-lasting chewing entertainment for dogs of all ages from teething puppies to seniors. These dense, hard chews are softened with saliva as dogs gnaw away, allowing teeth to penetrate and get a floss-like action, reducing tartar buildup and massaging gums.
Our Yak Chews are so loved by all ages and types of dogs that we created our Chews for Change program to support rescues. For every yak chew you purchase, we donate one to a shelter dog to enjoy! The mental stimulation Yak Chews provide naturally reduces stress and helps showcase a dog's real personality when meeting potential adopters. A win all around as you double the joy with each Yak Chew donation!
All-natural Bully Sticks - Made from 100% grass-fed beef, these single-ingredient, high-protein chews give long-lasting chewing enrichment to even power chewers.
100% Grass-fed Beef Collagen Sticks - Single-ingredient, all-beef Collagen Sticks are a concentrated source of joint-supporting collagen, great for joint health in puppies, adult dogs, and especially seniors with stiff, arthritic hips and joints.
All-natural Chicken Feet - Our chicken feet are a single-ingredient crunchy treat dogs love, 100% premium, cage-free chicken, loaded with protein and rich in glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints.
All these nutrient-rich chews offer dogs a positive focus for their natural chewing instinct, reducing stress while supporting their dental health and overall wellness.
Essential walking and exercising equipment rescues often need:
Safe, durable harnesses - our Sport Harness 2.0 is loved by rescues and dog parents for its padded comfort along with adjustable fit that helps keep dogs safe from wriggling out of it. A comfortable harness is important for all dogs, especially those learning to walk without pulling, as it balances the pressure across the body away from the vulnerable neck and throat area.
Leashes for various activities - Rescues and their volunteer walkers appreciate our 6-Foot Dual Handle Leash for regular walks and the extra control the second handle close to the dog gives in a tight situation like a crowded sidewalk. An Extra-long Leash (15 or 30 feet long) is great for giving dogs a chance to explore or train while still on leash.
Comfortable, durable collars - Our Sport Collar 2.0 is padded for comfort, easily adjustable, has reflective stitching, and is value-priced, making it a great choice for shelter donations.
Remember, before taking items to a shelter, it's always a good idea to check their specific requirements for donations.
Sponsor a rescue dog's medical care
Medical costs account for one of the largest expenses for rescue organizations. Sponsoring a dog's medical care directly impacts their ability to find a loving home, as healthy, spayed or neutered pets are ready for adoption faster. And you'll feel the tangible results and joy of supporting a specific dog's happy ending/new beginning.
Visit your local rescue's website to learn more about their medical sponsorship programs. Many organizations feature individual dogs with specific medical needs. Some have special nutritional needs you can support. Sponsorship amounts vary, so you can give what works for your lifestyle and budget.
Some rescues allow you to sponsor a specific dog, receiving updates on that pup's progress and eventual adoption. Even partial sponsorships help—if a surgery costs $500 and ten people contribute $50 each, that dog gets the care to start a new, healthy life.
Support local shelters with volunteer time
Your time might be the most valuable gift of all. Rescue organizations need volunteer support for walking dogs, socializing cats, helping with adoption events, or managing administrative work.
Contact your local shelter to learn about their volunteer application process. Most require an initial orientation and may have age restrictions. The required commitment varies—some need regular weekly shifts, while others appreciate help at special events.
Ways to help without adopting
Not everyone is ready to fill out an adoption application or bring a new dog home — and that's perfectly okay. You can still make an enormous difference for rescue dogs through other meaningful actions.
Fostering a dog temporarily
Fostering saves lives! Fostering allows rescue organizations to save more dogs by opening up more opportunities to say "yes" to rescuing when space is limited. When you foster a rescue dog, you're opening your home temporarily—usually for a few weeks to a few months—while the organization searches for their permanent family.
Foster families give dogs a break from shelter life, helping them decompress and show their true personalities. In a foster home, dogs relax and reveal the wonderful family members they'll become in the right place.
The rescue organization typically covers medical care, food, and supplies. You provide the home, love, and patience while the dog adjusts. Consider having quality treats on hand to help with training and building trust—natural options like Mighty Paw's Bully Sticks, Yak Chews or Chicken Feet work exceptionally well for positive reinforcement during this transition period. These healthful, single-ingredient treats help nervous dogs associate their new environment with positive experiences.
Interested in fostering? Contact local rescues to learn more about their program requirements. Be honest about your living situation, experience level, and any preferences. The right match makes fostering rewarding for both you and your foster dog.
Sharing adoptable dogs on social media
Never underestimate the power of hitting "share." Social media multiplies a rescue's reach exponentially, putting adoptable dogs in front of thousands of potential families.
When you see a dog that captures your heart, share their post on your page. Add a personal message explaining why you're sharing. Include key information: where to find more info, how to apply, and any special notes about the dog's needs or personality.
Update your network when dogs get adopted, too. These happy endings inspire hope and remind people that adoption works. If you volunteer at a shelter, ask if you can take photos or videos of adoptable dogs to share online. Short clips showing a dog's personality often have more real impact than standard adoption photos.
Holiday fundraising ideas for rescue organizations
Ready to take your support to the next level? Organize a fundraiser that brings your community together while raising critical resources for rescue dogs.
Check in with your local shelter and offer to host or volunteer to help with an adoption event. Shelters often need extra hands at these events to showcase adoptable dogs and puppies. Even if not everyone is ready to adopt, events increase awareness and often lead to donations or volunteer sign-ups.
Start an online fundraising campaign through platforms designed for nonprofit support. Share your campaign via email and social media, explaining why you're giving to rescue dogs, and invite friends and family to join you. If someone is wondering what to give you this year, here's the easy, meaningful answer!
Create a "giving tree" at your workplace. Your office can "adopt" a local shelter and share the spirit of tangible, joyful giving. Hang tags listing specific items needed by the rescue your colleagues can sponsor or gift cards shelters can use to purchase exactly what they need.
Teach kids and families to help rescue dogs
The holiday season offers perfect opportunities to teach children about compassion, responsibility, and helping dogs in need.
Visit shelter websites together and let your children learn about different dogs waiting for adoption. Discuss what each dog might need in their new home—space to run, patience during training, or a quiet environment to feel safe.
Involve children in selecting and purchasing supplies to donate. Take them shopping for dog food, toys, and healthy treats like Mighty Paw's natural chews, explaining how each item helps shelter dogs stay happy and healthy. Bring your children when you're dropping items off at the shelter. This hands-on process helps children understand the direct impact of their kindness.
For older kids and teens, volunteering as a family creates shared experiences while supporting rescue dogs. Many shelters welcome young volunteers with parental supervision. Working together teaches responsibility while you're spending quality time together.
Start family traditions around supporting rescue dogs. Maybe you donate to a shelter in lieu of exchanging gifts, or you sponsor a shelter dog's medical care each December. These traditions ground holiday celebrations in values of generosity and compassion.
Final thoughts: every act of kindness counts
Rescue dogs don't need perfection—they need people who care enough to take action. Whether you're ready to adopt, eager to volunteer, or simply want to donate supplies, your contribution matters.
Remember that rescue organizations depend on people like you—individuals who understand that saving lives requires community effort. Your time, love, and voice all have the power to change outcomes for dogs, cats, puppies, and other animals waiting in shelters.
Some will leave the shelter and enter loving homes because you shared their photo or sponsored their medical care.
The holidays remind us what truly brings happiness — not what we receive, but what we give. This year, give rescue dogs the gift of hope, support, and love. Every act of kindness counts. Together, we can ensure that rescue dogs receive the care and second chances they deserve — not just during the holidays, but every day of the year. These sweet dogs are waiting, and your support could be exactly what they need to find their way home.
Wishing you, your dog, and every dog the happiest, healthiest holiday and new year ahead!
Here at Mighty Paw, we're all about what's good for dogs — our dogs, your dog, and all the dogs looking for their happy forever. Every dog deserves to be a family member who is loved like crazy.
That's why we partner with shelters and rescues throughout the year. And why we share the many ways all of us can join in bringing joy and health to rescue dogs and make it easier to find the forever home meant for them.
We're committed to creating high-quality products that are healthful, safe, and practical. In everything we do -- from all-natural chews to safe, durable harnesses -- we're here to find ways to help you give your dog the biggest, best, fullest life and to share the love that all dogs deserve.
Keep exploring our products for more of the best for dogs! And don't forget to follow us on social media!
