Moments like these are not always easily captured in words or in pictures, but the love that is seen here between Jake and Caring for Creatures’ founder, Mary Birkholz, is always present between a rescued pet and his rescuers.

Jake was out of time at a high-kill shelter when Caring for Creatures spoke for him. Upon his arrival, Susan Blakeney, of CFC says, “We feel we heard him exhale with great relief once his paws felt the safe earth below his feet . . .”

In the animal sheltering world, time is as valuable as money, and both are needed to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome as many animals as possible.

While some people may not have the means to donate money to their local shelter, everyone can donate their time. Shelters welcome anyone who is committed to their cause, and they can help match your skills and passions with their needs. Here are five ways you can help:

Give them the most precious gift of all: hope. Hope can be hard to come by for homeless pets. We can change this today. Get your Caring for Creatures tee and give hope! ► www.jusani.com

When Billy first arrived at Shadow Cats Rescue, he was very feral. One of the “ghost cats of the Outback,” he hid from people. But with time and patience, Shadow Cats gained his trust, and Billy learned what love feels like.

For cats with feline leukemia virus (FeLV), a disease that takes the lives of an estimated 85% of infected cats within three years of diagnosis, life can be a struggle. Thankfully, Shadow Cats Rescue provides these cats with a ray of hope in the form of a sanctuary called Cookie’s Place.

Recently, Shadow Cats received an exciting visit from the star of Animal Planet’s hit series, “My Cat From Hell,” Jackson Galaxy. 

When Charlie Brown got down in the dumps, he had a cure. Happiness is a warm puppy, he quite rightly proclaimed. Yet, even the normally sanguine Snoopy had moments of malaise, dolefully pondering the meaning of life atop his iconic doghouse. 

We know from our own experience that dogs of every size, shape, and breed aren't immune to the blues. How do you know if your dog is depressed? And what can we do to help?