Ways to Help

There are many ways you can help make a difference in the lives of our area’s homeless animals.

Donate

Your monetary donations help to support our operations as we rescue and care for the abused and abandoned animals in our area.  Those donations are used for things such as medical tests and treatments, and vaccinations.  Your gifts also allow us to employ the only Humane Agent in our area.

Since 1966, Fort Defiance Humane Society has worked tirelessly to put an end to animal abuse and neglect. Your tax-deductible donation will help fight cruelty and make a life-changing difference for animals in our area. Donate in one of these ways:

• Monthly Donation
• One-Time Donation
• Memorial and Honor Gifts
• Become a Member

Shelter Wish List

FDHS uses a lot of supplies on a daily basis caring for our guests!  The most used supplies on our wish list are noted below.  Our Amazon Wish List is a quick and easy way to purchase these items.

• Laundry Detergent
• Bleach
• KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement) liquid
• Dry Dog/Puppy Food
• Dry Cat/Kitten Food
• Canned Cat and Kitten Food (Pate’)
• Garbage Bags
• Paper Towels
• Copier Paper
• Bottled Water (gallons and individual bottles)
• New or gently used towels and blankets

Chewy Wish List

When you are ordering your own supplies from chewy.com, you can add a few supplies that Fort Defiance Humane Society needs too.  Go to our link at Chewy Rescue Wish List.

Amazon Wish List

Order from our Amazon Wish List and have needed supplies delivered right to our door!!

Kroger Community Rewards

1) Go to www.kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow

2) Create or sign in to your account

3) Scroll down to the “Kroger Community Rewards” section of your account page

4) Select “Enroll Now” or “Edit”

5) Enter Fort Defiance Humane Society or our code 10516

6) Select us from the list and click save!

Sponsor

You can sponsor an animals’ adoption fee (partial or full).  You can also be a sponsor at one of our fundraising events. Those event specific details are published on our website and Facebook page.  Finally, you can sponsor a room, kennel, medical care, etc.  See below:

• $ 25 Individual/Family Sponsor
• $ 50 Gift Sponsor (card mailed to giftee)
• $150 Dog Kennel Sponsor (name on sponsor board)
• $250 Gift of Care – Medical (social media/website)
• $100 Cat Room Sponsor (name on sponsor board)
• $500 Corporate Sponsor (name/logo on website)

Online Store

Go to our online store to make a purchase.  A percentage of all sales comes back to FDHS.

Volunteer Your Time

We have volunteer opportunities available for willing volunteers of all abilities and interests. Whether your heart lies in direct care of our residents or helping to raise the necessary funds at an event, there are many ways you can help!

• Dog Walking
• Feline Enrichment
• Cleaning
• Grounds Keeping/Maintenance

If you are interested in volunteering at FDHS, please download and review the Volunteer Manual, Volunteer Manual Acknowledgment Form, and the Volunteer Waiver. Our Volunteer Coordinator conducts orientation training and will contact you to set one up once we receive your application.  Please bring your signed Volunteer Waiver and Volunteer Manual Acknowledgement Statement to your orientation training. Once your training is complete, you can begin volunteering!

Foster Care

Loving homes are needed for foster care year-round! Foster care is needed for pregnant, bottle-fed, medical/behavior case animals, and those long-term residents that could use a break from shelter life. To foster an animal, you must be over 18 years of age, submit a completed and signed Foster Care/Waiver form. Fostering helps prepare animals for their forever home and allows more space at the shelter to care for new animals. Please visit the shelter to discuss whether fostering is right for you and your family.

Planned Giving Program

The Willie Wales – Friends for Life Society

Overview:

The Willie Wales Society at the Fort Defiance Humane Society (FDHS) recognizes and honors those who have chosen to support FDHS through estate and charitable gift plans.  The programs, services, and mission of Fort Defiance Humane Society are made possible today in large part because yesterday’s supporters included FDHS in their estate plans. Members of the Willie Wales – Friends for Life Society share a common bond of generosity and passion for service to the community and pets in need that ensures we are able to pursue our mission for generations to come.  Your support is a gift of life and hope for hundreds of homeless, abandoned, and abused animals who pass through our shelter every year. Your generosity is essential to bettering their lives.

Our Program’s Namesake:

Mr. Willie Wales was a longtime Defiance County resident with a passion for the underserved.  He devoted his life to rescuing animals. Whether they were sick or healthy, he took them into his home and provided them with the care that they needed, saving hundreds over the years. For those he couldn’t save, he provided them with a proper burial. Mr. Wales also proudly served his country as a Specialist in the Army during Vietnam.  In 2019, he passed away doing what he loved the most…rescuing animals.  Willie was a friend of FDHS and an unspoken hero of our community and our country.

Becoming a Member:

The Fort Defiance Humane Society recognizes the significant role these planned giving donors play and is pleased to pay special tribute to their philanthropic leadership and vision. Becoming a member of the Willie Wales – Friends for Life Society is simple, and there are several options available:

• Include Fort Defiance Humane Society as a beneficiary in a living will or trust.
• Create a life-income gift through a charitable gift annuity, charitable remainder trust, or charitable lead trust.
• Name FDHS as a beneficiary or owner of a life insurance policy.
• With your attorney, create a future gift of real estate and/or property.

Upon receipt of your intention to include FDHS as a beneficiary of a planned gift, the donor will be recognized in a variety of ways as a member of the Willie Wales – Friends for Life Society, including publications, special events and invitations.

Plan Your Charitable Gift Today:

Charitable gift planning helps you define and execute your charitable intentions in the most beneficial manner to you and to the Fort Defiance Humane Society. Through the creative process of planned giving, you can fulfill philanthropic goals; reduce income, capital-gain, and estate taxes; retain your income; and even increase your income all while supporting FDHS.

Planning For Your Pets Future

As avid, life-long animal lovers, members of our Willie Wales – Friends for Life Society donating $10,000 or more will be able to take advantage of our “Paws Forever” pet care program.  This program allows you to rest easy knowing your pets will be cared for and loved.  Should a Friends for Life member predecease their pet(s), FDHS will guarantee that their pets will be cared for immediately and rehomed.

Use the Contact Us link on the right side of the screen or contact Lisa Weaner at 419-658-2298 for more information on joining The Willie Wales – Friends for Life Society and the “Paws Forever” program.

Help Organize a Fundraising Event

Animal shelters often partner with local bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues to put on fundraising events. If you know of a local establishment that would be perfect for a fundraising event, take the initiative to approach them and help coordinate the details on behalf of our shelter! You can also use Facebook Fundraising or GoFundMe to create an online fundraiser benefit for our shelter.

Also consider organizing a fundraiser within your own company to benefit our shelter.  Some companies will also do matching donations.  Check out what might be available right in your own backyard!

Finally, consider being a sponsor for one of the FDHS planned fundraiser events. It’s a great way to participate in a fundraiser that is already organized, it benefits the shelter, and it can be a great marketing tool for your company.  Check out our Events Page to see what is already on the calendar!

Order a Pet Plate

You can order a pet plate even if it is not time to renew your tags!

Your license fees will be pro-rated. Stop by your Deputy Registrar’s office or visit oplates.com to share your love for cats and dogs.

Go to oplates.com and click on “Ohio Plates” to order your new pet license plate!

The more plates sold, the more pets they can help. The best advertisement is for someone to see a pet license plate on your car.