Operation Blankets of Love Helps Homeless Animals

In the United States, pet overpopulation continues to be a major problem for animal shelters and rescue organizations. In fact, according to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, 3.7 million animals (cats and dogs) were euthanized in 2008 while only 25% of dogs and 24% of cats in shelters were adopted. Fortunately, there are animal advocacy organization that are doing their part to help adoptable animals in shelters find forever homes. One such organization is Operation Blankets of Love.

Operation Blankets of Love aims to advocate and promote animal welfare through speaking engagements, education programs, and public awareness campaigns and to provide emergency response to rescue organizations and shelters. Operation Blankets of Love also provides comfort items to homeless, abused, neglected, sick, and/or stray animals in shelters in order to increase well-being, which in turn increases their chances of finding forever homes. Finally, the organization aims to decrease the number of homeless pets in our country by promoting adoption.

Eileen Smulson, founder of Operation Blankets of Love (OBOL), decided to begin the organization after seeing some dogs in cages outside on a rainy day; they were on display for adoption. When she asked why they had no blankets, one of the shelter workers told her that they had no budget for such items. In January of 2008, Smulson decided to begin collecting comforting cloths for shelter animals. She posted flyers eliciting donations and within five months, she had collected 7,000 donated items! Today, OBOL is able to reach 1,000 dogs and cats in shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, and foster homes each month.

Smulson asserts the blankets and other comfort items donated through her organization help homeless cats and dogs in many ways. Donations of comfort items allow shelters and rescue organizations to spend their funds on food and medications homeless animals need and the blankets provide comfort and warmth for the homeless dogs and cats. Furthermore, when homeless animals in shelters have comfort items, they feel happier and more relaxed; this, in turn, increases their chances of being adopted.

If you are interested in helping this organization reach homeless dogs and cats in rescue organizations and shelters, there are many ways in which you can help.

First, you may drop off donations at one of 35 different locations in California. Drop-off locations include, but are not limited to: LA Pet Memorial Park, Red Barn Feed Too, New Age Pet Supply, The Loved Dog, Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic, The Pet People, Linda's Paws & Claws, Knollwood Pharmacy, Animal Wellness Centers, various PetCo stores, Theresa's Country Feed & Pet Store, Pet Life, Bark Williams, and several other locations. To see a list of locations, you may visit the drop-off locations list at OBOL's website.

You may drop off new or recycled items for homeless pets. Items the organization can utilize include: comforters and blankets, harnesses, leashes, and collars, dog and cat toys, pet clothes, bath towels, carriers and crates, treats for cats and dogs, pet beds, and dog igloos. Operation Blankets of Love kindly asks that washcloths, clothes, bed sheets, and pillows are not donated to them as they cannot utilize them in helping shelter animals.

One way in which you can collect items for Operation Blankets of Love is to hold a Blanket Drive. Blanket Drives can be held at you work or school or in your church or community. If you are interested in hosting a Blanket Drive, you may call OBOL at 818-402-6586 for more information.

If you live in the area, you may also volunteer for OBOL. Volunteers may participate in several opportunities including working staff event information booths, fundraising, distributing flyers, performing general office work, and picking up and delivering donations.

If you are interested in helping homeless pets through Operation Blankets of Love, you may visit the organization's website. You may also call OBOL to learn more about volunteer opportunities or to host a blanket drive at: 818-402-6586.

Sources:

American Humane: Newsroom: Fact Sheets: Animal Shelter Euthanasia:
http://www.americanhumane.org/about-us/newsroom/fact-sheets/animal-shelter-euthanasia.html

CatChannel: Group Gives Comfort to Shelter Cats:
http://www.catchannel.com/news/2010/08/13/operation-blankets-of-love.aspx

Operation Blankets of Love: Home:
http://www.operationblanketsoflove.com/