There are literally hundreds of ways to help out rescues and shelters in your area. People often assume that the only way to help is to clean up after animals in the shelter or donate money. Those are great things to do, but they're the tip of the iceberg.
You can always foster a dog if you want. Fostering is great for the dogs, because it helps them better integrate into a family when they are adopted. It also helps the rescue volunteers to learn the dog's personality and what family would be best suited for them. It's a great responsibility but it's also very emotionally taxing.
If you can't foster, maybe you can transport dogs. Many shelters call breed-specific rescues when they get in purebred dogs so they get out of the shelter. Someone has to physically get those dogs to the rescues, and you could be that person! They also need to be taken to the vet and to adoption events. It's a great chance to help dogs and make a difference.
Donate your dogs' old collars, beds, leashes...anything you don't use for your dog anymore. Shelters need old towels, paper towels, cleaning supplies, dog food (any brand. Those dogs need their bellies full!), dog toys, blankets...the sky is the limit! These rescues and shelters are operating off of the kindness of strangers, so help them out! Even $10 will help. Some grocery stores offer programs where they donate money to shelters-Schnucks' in St. Louis does it.
Clean up after the dogs in the shelter. It's not bad work and you get to play with the dogs after! They need to interact with people as much as possible to get adopted-donate your time.
Spread the word about dogs who are available for adoption. Post them to your Facebook, post them on Craigslist-get the word out!
Remember guys, don't shop, ADOPT!
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