April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals month, and it's a great time to volunteer some time and energy to helping our furry friends. Here are a few ways you can help:
* Adopt a pet (but only if it's the right time and the right pet).
* Make a donation. Animal shelters can always use some extra money to pay for supplies and care, or you can call and ask if there are any specific supplies (like food or bedding) that you can donate. Most shelters have donation policies you can review.
* Foster an animal in need. If you're not looking for a new pet but still want to share some love with animals in need, fostering might be a good option. Fostering eases the burden on shelters, socializes animals and reduces their stress, protects them from diseases and helps them meet potential forever families.
* Volunteer your time. Your local shelter might need an extra hand cleaning up kennels, answering calls and walking dogs.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.