The Simple Trick to Support an Animal Rescue Near Me While You Shop
- Chip
- Jun 14
- 5 min read
Do you ever find yourself scrolling through your social media feed, seeing a pair of soulful, hopeful dog eyes, and wishing you could do more?
You want to help. You really do. But life is... well, it’s life. Between work, family, and that never-ending to-do list, finding the time to volunteer or the extra room in the budget for a big donation feels like a lot. We get it.
But what if I told you there’s a simple trick? A "set it and forget it" way to help dogs in need without spending an extra dime of your own money or adding another chore to your weekend?
It sounds too good to be true, right? It isn't.
At Their Best Life Dog Sanctuary, we see firsthand how small, consistent acts of kindness add up to big miracles. Whether it’s a senior dog getting the specialized meds they need or a puppy finally getting their first round of vaccines, it all starts with people like you.
Here is the simple trick to support an animal rescue near you every single time you shop.
The Secret: Linking Your Daily Habits
The "trick" is actually quite simple: Loyalty Linking.
Think about how many times a week you scan a rewards card or enter your phone number at checkout. Whether you're buying groceries, pet food, or even a new pair of shoes, major retailers have programs designed to give back to the community.
Most people never bother to link their accounts to a specific charity. That means millions of dollars in potential donations go unclaimed every year. By taking five minutes today to link your accounts to a 501(c)(3) like Their Best Life Dog Sanctuary, you turn your weekly grocery run into a life-saving mission.
1. The Grocery Store Power Move
Most of us are at the grocery store at least once a week. Did you know stores like Kroger have a "Community Rewards" program?
When you link your Shopper’s Card to a local rescue, Kroger donates a percentage of your spending directly to that organization. You still get your discounts. You still get your fuel points. But now, your milk and eggs are helping a dog get a second chance.
How to do it:
Log into your grocery store’s digital account (Kroger, Randalls, etc.).
Search for "Community Rewards."
Search for Their Best Life Dog Sanctuary (or your favorite local rescue).
Click "Save."
That’s it. You’re done. Every time you scan your card, you’re feeding a rescue dog.
2. Pet Store Perks (That Actually Matter)
If you’re a pet owner, you’re already spending money at places like PetSmart or Petco. These companies have massive charitable arms.
For example, the PetSmart Treats program lets you earn points on every dollar you spend. You can choose to redeem those points for your own savings, or you can donate them to PetSmart Charities. They also often ask if you’d like to "round up" at the register.
Saying "yes" to that extra 42 cents might not feel like much to you, but when a thousand people do it, it pays for a life-saving surgery.
3. The "Fresh Step" Secret
Do you have a cat? (Don't worry, we won't tell the dogs!) If you buy Fresh Step litter, you can join their Paw Points program. You can enter codes from your litter boxes and then "donate" those points to a shelter of your choice. Many shelters use these points to get free litter, which saves them thousands of dollars a year.
Turning Spare Change into "Rescue Fuel"
If you want to take it a step further, let’s talk about Round-Up Apps.
We live in a world of digital transactions. Most of us rarely carry cash, so the old "spare change jar" is a thing of the past. But apps like the RoundUp App have brought that concept into the 21st century.
When you link your debit or credit card to a round-up app, it automatically rounds every purchase you make to the next dollar.
Bought a coffee for $4.50? You just donated $0.50.
Filled up your tank for $42.10? You just donated $0.90.
It’s tiny. You’ll barely notice it’s gone. But at the end of the month, that "change" usually adds up to $15 or $20. For a rescue like ours, $20 can provide a week’s worth of high-quality food for a senior dog with a sensitive stomach.
It’s the most effortless way to be a hero. You can learn more about how small contributions help our mission on our What We Do page.
Shop with Purpose: Cause-Driven Brands
Another way to support a rescue while you shop is to choose brands that bake giving into their business model.
Websites like The Animal Rescue Site (GreaterGood) or BeKind PetFind offer everything from apparel to home decor, with a portion of every sale going directly to animal welfare organizations.
We also love it when our supporters look for our Corporate Partners. These are businesses, like Luminidog or 1appnow, that have stepped up to support our sanctuary. When you support them, you’re indirectly supporting every dog in our care.
Why Your "Change" Matters at Their Best Life Dog Sanctuary
You might be thinking, "Does my 50 cents really make a difference?"
The short answer? Yes. Absolutely. 100%.
We aren't a massive government-funded facility. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit sanctuary. We rely entirely on the generosity of people like you.
Many of the dogs who come to us are the ones other shelters might turn away. We take in the "unadoptables": the seniors, the dogs with chronic medical conditions, and those who have suffered from abuse or neglect.
When you use the "Simple Trick" of rewards linking or round-up apps, you are helping us provide:
Medical Rehabilitation: Many of our dogs need expensive treatments or long-term medication.
A Safe Haven: Our sanctuary grounds are designed to be a peaceful, low-stress environment.
Specialized Care: We believe every dog deserves "their best life," regardless of their age or health.
Take a look at Zoey, one of our happy residents. She’s a grey and white pit bull who spent her days surrounded by purple flowers and lots of love. It’s the small, everyday donations that keep her tail wagging.
Your 5-Minute Action Plan
Ready to turn your next shopping trip into a force for good? Here is your quick checklist:
Link Your Grocery Card: Go to your store’s app right now and select Their Best Life Dog Sanctuary as your Community Rewards recipient.
Check Your Pet Store Points: Next time you’re at PetSmart, ask how to donate your Treats points.
Consider a Round-Up App: Download a tool like the RoundUp App and link it to your most-used card.
Spread the Word: Tell one friend about this "trick." If two people link their cards, the impact doubles!
Together, We Can Do This
At the end of the day, animal rescue isn't just about the big, flashy donations. It’s about a community of people deciding that even their "spare change" is worth giving to a dog in need.
It’s about the collective power of thousands of "small tricks" adding up to hundreds of lives saved.
Will you consider helping out today? It only takes a few clicks, but for a dog waiting for their forever home: or a senior dog enjoying their final years in comfort: it means everything.
Thank you for being part of our pack. We literally couldn't do this without you.
Want to see more of the lives you're changing? Visit our Who We Are page or check out our latest Rescue Projects.
Together, we’re giving them their best life. One grocery run at a time.
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