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Shelter Pets Deserve Amazon Pet Deals, Too

Seriously, you can donate to shelters just by shopping!

by Lindsay Hamrick, CPDT-KA
Updated April 25, 2023
shelter kittens playing with a round blue plastic toy with balls
Courtesy of Stray Cat Alliance

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The second annual Amazon Pet Deals Days are May 2-3, and there isn’t a more worthy recipient for a just because gift than your local animal shelter. The cats and dogs who are patiently waiting for forever homes are the most deserving (and most appreciative) of new toys and treats. While non-profit animal organizations always need monetary donations, they also need a lot of supplies to keep the animals in their care housed, fed, and entertained. Your local shelter likely has an Amazon Wish List that they link to from their website so you can shop and ship products directly to them. And below, a list of the most common supplies that shelters ask for...

The sale runs from 12 a.m. PT/3 a.m. ET on Tuesday, May 2 through Wednesday, May 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT/2:59 a.m. ET. Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)

1. Interactive Puzzle Toys and Lick Mats

KONG Classic Dog Toy
$17
$10

Dogs need enrichment and stimulation while they wait for a family, and interactive toys can help pass the time. Kongs are classic — they help with shelter stress by getting a dog’s brain moving — plus there’s a tasty treat at the center.

Dogs also tend to scarf down their dinner because they don't know where their next meal is coming from. Lick mats are a great way to not only slow down the eating process (and prevent stomach upset), but also make dinnertime a fun enrichment activity. Dog trainer Robert Haussman explains, “Soft foods, such as peanut butter or canned pumpkin, can be smeared on the textured surface for a dog to lick clean. To keep a dog stimulated and busy, they can also be frozen, which allows them to last much longer. It’s highly enjoyable, engaging, and — most importantly — delicious!”

$10 at Amazon

2. Hidey Cat Beds

3. Orthopedic Dog Beds

4. Durable Leashes & Martingale Collars

5. Cleaning Supplies

6. Kitten Bottles & Milk Replacers

7. Pee Pads

8. Pet Food

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Lindsay Hamrick, CPDT-KA

Lindsay Hamrick lives in New Hampshire with her three dogs, chickens, and an assortment of rotating foster animals. She forces her elderly chihuahua, Grandma Baguette, on overnight backpacking trips, can diaper a lamb with one hand, and while she’s a long-time Certified Professional Dog Trainer, 66.7% of her dogs still won’t lay down when asked.