I am an animal lover. In fact, the real reason I decided to move across the county to Roanoke in the first place was to fulfill my dream to start an animal rescue specifically designed to work with "misunderstood" animal breeds.

What's a Misunderstood Breed? Firstly, one that gets a bad rap based on the media (think pit bulls). Secondly, ones that are portrayed in television and film, often highly trained (think Belgian Malinois, which we have two of).

• What ended up happening next?

We bought a farm! A beautiful little slice of safety and sanity for my family and our animal friends.

• What type of animals do we have?

Donkeys, pigs, goats, mini horses, a Haflinger, dogs and cats. (I did NOT see that coming!) It was a wild ride at first, but sometimes the best plans take you slightly off course. Embrace it!

If you are an animal lover and are interested in helping, there are many wonderful organizations in Roanoke, Franklin, and Botetourt Counties as well as throughout southwest Virginia that could use extra love.

If you find yourself confused or overwhelmed with choosing the right way to help, I can lay out some of the fantastic options available to you …

    1. Adopt

As the saying goes, "Adopt, Don't Shop!"

Also, not all adoptions happen just at the "pound" or local animal shelter. There are many breed specific organizations that offer adoption programs both locally and regionally. That said, I do believe it is highly beneficial to local organizations when you adopt locally, as it makes more space for animals right here in our communities to be able to care for more animals in need.

    2. Foster

Can't make a long-term commitment? We got you covered there! Fostering a pet can be a great option.

Getting an animal out of the kennel environment (even temporarily) can help with behavioral issues that may arise due to the unfamiliar environment they are facing. This helps display an animal's true personality when they are loved and cared for in a home. Also, if you have financial concerns, the expense of fostering the animal is often covered by the organization (medical, food, etc). Lastly … If you have a soft spot in your heart for older or ailing animals, there is a large need for that as well.

    3. Participate in a "Doggy Day Out" with Downtown Dogs

Take a dog for a day out on the town!

Want to go for a hike but do not want to go it alone? Take a new friend!

Fresh air is therapy for humans, so imagine what fresh air and a little stretch of the ol' legs can do for a dog. You simply pick up a four-legged friend at 10am at Angels of Assisi and have them back by 5:30pm. It's that easy! For more information check out, Downtown Dogs.

    4. Donate

If none of those options fit your lifestyle … DONATE! I will be the first to admit, I struggle with not having enough time or even the ability to take on another animal and I have been known to beat myself up over opening my wallet instead of my heart.

Let me tell you this … opening your wallet is the same as opening your heart!

So let's explore fun ways to do this …

• How about sponsoring an animal?

You can sponsor an animal's adoption fee for a stranger or help with medical care. Another fun thing is finding an organization's "wish list" and purchasing items.

• Want to keep it simple?

Donate! The organization you choose will know the best way to utilize those funds.

Now get out there and change a life (or two or three or four)! I would LOVE to see what you are doing to help animals in your community, so make sure to share your story with us (bonus
points for pictures)!

Here's some organizations you can get involved with if you are interested …

Angels of Assisi
RCAP
Roanoke Wildlife Center
Roanoke Valley SPCA
Salem Animal Shelter
Franklin County Humane Society
Harmony Farm Sanctuary