If you have a heart for animals, then it can be heartbreaking to see any animal in distress. However, you can help out in various ways to show your support for organizations doing their bit to care for and protect the abused and abandoned.

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At Neighborhood Week, we are passionate about protecting deer mice who have lost their way in the wild, rehabilitating them so that they can be reintroduced into the wild once more. If you'd like to help out animals in your neck of the woods, the guide can help show you what to do to get started.

Start your own organization

If you have the financial means to help animals in need, then starting a non-profit could be the way to go. However, keep in mind that this will require a lot of work.

• Figure out what cause you want to advocate for. For example, if, you're a graduating veterinary student you could start a veterinary clinic that sterilizes animals to help curb overpopulation.

  
  

• Pick a good name that will make the public notice of what you're trying to achieve.

  
  

• Be sure to apply for tax exemption status so that all donations and proceeds are tax-deductible for those who choose to give to your non-profit.

Educate yourself more concerning the plight of needy animals

Animals are diverse, and their needs can vary dramatically. This is why it's essential to be well-informed so you can support your cause in the best way possible.

• Research as much as you can using internet resources as well as interview professionals such as wildlife biologists to glean as much knowledge as you can. Animal Diversity Web contains information on thousands of species along with their natural history, distribution, classification, and conservation.

  
  

• Get involved by volunteering in your chosen field to learn more about what is needed to help nurture or, in the case of wild mice, rehabilitate them back to good health.

  
  

• Educate others through social media to encourage others to join your cause.

Give a pet a home

If you aren't in the position to do any of the above but feel you could contribute in another way, adopting a pet is always an option.

• Find out what the adoption process is if you plan on adopting an animal that requires special supervision and care, such as a hedgehog or a sugar glider, for instance.

  
  

• Make sure your home is pet-friendly, and you have everything you need to take care of your pet properly. Be sure to seek professional veterinary advice.

  
  

• If you can't realistically adopt a pet, you can sponsor a pet through other organizations such as FOUR PAWS International and The Pedigree Foundation.

Helping animals in need is certainly something that can bring you great joy and fulfillment. So, be sure to research all your options, choosing something you have a passion for that you can see yourself putting your all into.