Before you throw it away, donate it somewhere else or leave it sitting in a closet, think of our rescue animals!
One of the questions we get asked ALL the time is:
"What items can we donate to West Valley Animal Rescue?"
And our answer? Probably a whole lot more than you think!
Did you know that some of the supplies we need most might already be sitting unused in your closets, cabinets, laundry room or garage?
You don't have to spend money to make a difference!
That stack of towels you haven't used in years? We could use it!
The plastic dog crate your puppy outgrew? Absolutely!
The baby gates your children no longer need? YES, PLEASE!
Extra blankets, laundry baskets, storage containers, pet supplies and cleaning products? All things that could make an incredible difference for our foster families!
As a 100% foster home-based nonprofit rescue, West Valley Animal Rescue does not have a traditional shelter. Our dogs, puppies, cats and kittens live in the homes of our incredible foster families while receiving the care they need and waiting for their forever homes.
Our foster families go through an unbelievable amount of supplies, and every donated item helps us stretch our resources further.
So we decided to put together an EXTREMELY extensive donation wish list!
We wanted to include just about everything we could think of that might be useful to our rescue, especially things people may already have around their homes.
And here's something important: Just because an item isn't on this list doesn't mean we can't use it!
If you have something you think might be helpful, please reach out and ask! We're always happy to consider items that could make life easier for our animals, foster families or volunteers.
❤️ A Few Things to Know Before Donating
We happily accept new and gently used items unless otherwise specified.
All donated items must be clean, safe and in good working condition.
Food and treats must be unopened and unexpired.
Medical supplies must be new and unopened unless we specifically approve otherwise.
Large items and specialized equipment require approval before donation.
We do not have a public shelter or donation drop-off location, so donations must be coordinated in advance.
If you have something that isn't listed, please text us a picture or description!
You do not need to purchase anything from this list! Our goal is to help you identify useful things you may already have sitting around your home.
🐾 OUR EXTENSIVE DONATION WISH LIST
🐶 DOG & PUPPY SUPPLIES
Have a dog who outgrew their supplies? Maybe you have extra toys, an old harness or a plastic crate collecting dust in the garage.
Depending on their condition, we may be able to put those items to good use!
Dry dog food (unopened, nonprescription)
Dry puppy food (unopened, nonprescription)
Canned dog food
Canned puppy food
Training treats (unopened)
Soft training treats (unopened)
Dental chews (unopened)
Bully sticks and other appropriate chews (unopened)
Puppy teething toys
KONG toys
Durable rubber chew toys
Nylabones and similar durable chew toys
Puzzle toys
Enrichment feeders
Lick mats
Snuffle mats
Slow feeder bowls
Stainless steel food bowls
Stainless steel water bowls
Elevated feeding bowls
Collars in all sizes
Harnesses in all sizes
Standard 4- to 6-foot leashes
Slip leads
Martingale collars
Puppy playpens
Exercise pens
Plastic airline-style crates
Hard-sided plastic kennels
Washable dog beds
Crate mats
Crate pads
Disposable puppy potty pads
Washable potty pads
Dog diapers
Belly bands for male dogs
Poop bags
Poop bag dispensers
Pooper scoopers
Dog sweaters
Dog jackets
Recovery cones
Inflatable recovery collars
Pet stairs
Pet ramps
Car seat protectors
Dog seat belt restraints
Dog travel bags
Portable dog water bottles
Collapsible travel bowls
🐱 CAT & KITTEN SUPPLIES
We also care for cats and kittens, and their foster families need plenty of supplies!
Dry cat food (unopened, nonprescription)
Dry kitten food (unopened, nonprescription)
Canned cat food
Canned kitten food
Kitten milk replacer (unopened)
Cat treats (unopened)
Squeeze-up cat treats (unopened)
Catnip
Cat toys
Wand toys
Scratching posts
Cardboard scratchers
Cat trees in excellent condition (approval required)
Cat beds
Cat tunnels
Cat carriers
Hard-sided cat kennels
Litter boxes
Litter scoops
Litter mats
Unopened clumping cat litter
Unopened non-clumping kitten-safe litter
Unopened pellet litter
Stainless steel food bowls
Stainless steel water bowls
Cat collars
Cat harnesses
Cat fountains
Kitten playpens
Pet-safe heating pads designed for kittens
Shallow kitten feeding dishes
Small washable kitten blankets
🧺 TOWELS, BLANKETS & BEDDING
This is one of the easiest ways to help us without spending a penny!
We use an incredible number of towels and blankets for bathing, transporting, comforting and caring for our rescue animals.
They don't need to match your bathroom or bedroom!
Bath towels
Hand towels
Washcloths
Fleece blankets
Throw blankets
Soft blankets
Flat sheets
Fitted sheets
Pillowcases
Comforters in good condition
Washable pet beds
Crate pads
Waterproof mattress protectors
Reusable waterproof underpads
Waterproof blankets
Washable furniture covers
Machine-washable couch covers
Small fleece baby blankets
Soft washable bedding
Please remember: Linens must be freshly washed and free of heavy staining, odors, mold or significant damage.
Faded towels and mismatched blankets are perfectly fine as long as they're clean and usable!
🧼 CLEANING & SANITATION SUPPLIES
These are some of the supplies we go through the FASTEST!
Between house-training puppies, cleaning up after animals, washing bedding and keeping foster homes sanitary, cleaning supplies are always appreciated.
Paper towels
Disinfecting wipes
Unscented baby wipes
Unscented pet wipes
Trash bags in all sizes
Heavy-duty contractor bags
Laundry detergent
Free & clear laundry detergent
Dish soap
Sponges
Scrub brushes
Microfiber cleaning cloths
Disposable cleaning gloves
Nitrile gloves
Enzymatic pet urine cleaners
Pet-safe floor cleaners
Pet-safe disinfectants
Carpet cleaning solutions
Pet-safe odor eliminators
Stain removers
Mop heads
Replacement mop pads
Brooms
Dustpans
Clean spray bottles
Hand soap
Hand sanitizer
Lint rollers
Pet hair removal tools
Disposable shop towels
Cleaning supply caddies
Buckets
Laundry baskets
Rubber cleaning gloves
Vacuum cleaners in working condition (approval required)
Carpet cleaning machines in working condition (approval required)
Replacement vacuum bags and filters
Have unopened extra cleaning supplies sitting under your sink or in your laundry room? We may be able to use them!
Please check with us before donating cleaning chemicals to ensure they're appropriate for homes with animals.
✂️ GROOMING SUPPLIES
Many of the animals entering our rescue need significant grooming, and maintaining their coats is an ongoing responsibility.
Dog shampoo
Puppy shampoo
Hypoallergenic pet shampoo
Pet conditioner
Detangling spray
Grooming brushes
Slicker brushes
Metal grooming combs
Deshedding tools
Nail clippers
Nail grinders
Styptic powder
Pet ear-cleaning solution (unopened)
Cotton rounds
Cotton balls
Pet toothbrushes (new)
Dog toothpaste (unopened)
Cat toothpaste (unopened)
Grooming wipes
Grooming tables (approval required)
Grooming loops and restraints
Professional grooming clippers
Clipper blades
Professional grooming scissors
Pet dryers
Grooming towels
Grooming aprons
Grooming supply organizers
Reusable grooming tools should be clean, fully functional and safe to sanitize.
🩺 MEDICAL & RECOVERY SUPPLIES
Every animal entering our program receives veterinary care, and some require additional recovery supplies or specialized equipment.
We may be able to use:
Sterile gauze pads
Sterile gauze rolls
Nonstick wound dressings
Self-adhering veterinary wrap
Medical tape
Unopened sterile saline
Disposable examination gloves
Digital thermometers
Pet-safe heating pads
Elizabethan collars (recovery cones)
Inflatable recovery collars
Surgical recovery suits
Disposable underpads
Reusable waterproof pads
New oral medication syringes without needles
Pill cutters
Pill organizers
Digital pet scales
Small digital kitchen scales
Pet first-aid kits
Medical supply storage bins
Pet wheelchairs (approval required)
Mobility support harnesses
Pet lifting slings
Pet ramps
Pet stairs
Important: Sterile and disposable medical supplies must be new, unopened and unexpired. Specialized medical equipment requires approval.
Please do not donate prescription medications, opened medications or expired medical products.
🍼 NEWBORN PUPPY & KITTEN SUPPLIES
Tiny puppies and kittens can require specialized feeding, monitoring and warming equipment.
Unopened puppy milk replacer
Unopened kitten milk replacer
Nursing bottles
Replacement nursing nipples
Miracle Nipples
Pet-safe warming discs
Animal incubator equipment (approval required)
Digital gram scales
Small fleece blankets
Small washable bedding
Disposable underpads
Small washable comfort toys
Puppy playpens
Kitten playpens
Shallow food dishes
Shallow litter trays
Unscented baby wipes
Disposable gloves
Pet-safe heating equipment
🚗 TRANSPORTATION & ADOPTION EVENT SUPPLIES
Because we are entirely foster home-based, our volunteers spend a tremendous amount of time transporting animals to veterinary appointments, grooming appointments, adoption events and their forever families.
We also need supplies for setting up and organizing events.
Plastic pet carriers
Airline-approved hard-sided crates
Collapsible pet carriers
Pet strollers
Pet car seats
Car seat protectors
Transport blankets
Transport towels
Slip leads
Collars
Harnesses
Leashes
Portable water bowls
Collapsible water bowls
Travel water bottles for pets
Portable playpens
Folding tables
Folding chairs
Pop-up canopies
Rolling carts
Folding wagons
Storage totes
Clipboards
Pens
Printer paper
Shipping labels
Label makers
Label tape
Laminating sheets
Clear plastic document sleeves
Portable fans
Extension cords in safe condition
Coolers
Insulated bags
Portable storage organizers
Larger event equipment requires approval before donation.
🏡 FOSTER HOME ESSENTIALS
This is a GREAT category to look through if you're cleaning out your garage, storage room or children's closets!
Our foster families use everyday household items to create comfortable, safe and organized spaces for rescue animals.
Baby gates
Puppy gates
Exercise pens
Plastic dog crates
Pet beds
Waterproof furniture covers
Washable couch covers
Waterproof blankets
Pet stairs
Pet ramps
Food storage containers
Airtight storage bins
Stackable plastic storage totes
Pet food scoops
Cleaning supply caddies
Laundry baskets
Pet-safe cleaning products
Pet cameras
Air purifiers
Replacement air purifier filters
Fans
Cooling mats
Portable shade structures
Foldable storage shelves
Plastic drawer organizers
Small storage cabinets
Washable floor mats
Plastic bins
Plastic baskets
Storage shelving
Door mats
Waterproof floor mats
Shoe trays for organizing pet supplies
Rolling utility carts
That old baby gate your youngest child finally outgrew? It might be exactly what one of our foster families needs!
☀️ ARIZONA HEAT & OUTDOOR SUPPLIES
Living in Arizona means keeping our rescue animals cool, comfortable and safe during extreme heat.
Pet cooling mats
Cooling vests
Portable water bowls
Dog pools in good condition
Outdoor shade canopies
Elevated mesh dog beds
Outdoor water containers
Paw protection booties
Cooling towels
Portable fans
Shade cloths
Pet-safe outdoor mats
Outdoor storage containers
Portable water dispensers
Patio umbrellas in good condition
Outdoor fans in working condition
Covered outdoor pet beds
Please check with us before donating large outdoor items.
📦 STORAGE, ORGANIZATION & OFFICE SUPPLIES
Animal rescue involves SO much more than feeding and caring for animals!
We also manage veterinary records, adoption applications, transportation schedules, supplies, fundraising, events and countless other responsibilities.
Everyday office supplies and organizational items can help tremendously.
Printer paper
Compatible printer ink
Compatible printer toner
Pens
Permanent markers
Highlighters
Clipboards
Notebooks
File folders
Hanging file folders
Binders
Sheet protectors
Mailing envelopes
Shipping labels
Packing tape
Label makers
Label tape
Sticky notes
Storage bins
Storage drawers
Plastic shelving units
Rolling utility carts
Folding tables
Folding chairs
Document organizers
File boxes
Plastic baskets
Laundry baskets
Small office equipment in working condition
Scissors
Staplers
Staples
Paper clips
Binder clips
Laminators in working condition
Laminating sheets
Shipping boxes
Packing materials
Reusable shopping bags
Storage totes
🎁 GIFT CARDS & FINANCIAL DONATIONS
While we absolutely love donations of everyday household items, there are also expenses that donated supplies simply cannot cover.
Every animal entering our rescue needs veterinary care, and many require additional medical treatment, grooming or surgery.
Gift cards can help us purchase exactly what we need, when we need it.
We can use gift cards from:
PetSmart
Petco
Amazon
Walmart
Target
Costco
Sam's Club
Chewy
Gas stations
Office supply stores
Printing services
Monetary donations also help cover:
Veterinary examinations
Spay and neuter surgeries
Vaccinations
Microchipping
Dental procedures
Emergency medical treatment
Medications
Professional grooming
Transportation expenses
Food and supplies
Ongoing care for animals in foster homes
Even an unused gift card sitting in your wallet could make a difference!
🚫 ITEMS WE CANNOT ACCEPT
While we are incredibly grateful for every offer of support, there are certain items we simply cannot use.
To protect the animals in our care and avoid unnecessary disposal costs, please do not donate:
Wire dog crates
Opened bags or containers of dog food
Opened bags or containers of cat food
Opened dog or cat treats
Specialty or prescription diet dog food
Specialty or prescription diet cat food
Dirty or unwashed linens
Heavily stained or soiled bedding
Linens with mold or strong odors
Broken or damaged toys
Toys with exposed stuffing or dangerous loose pieces
Broken or damaged plastic crates
Crates missing doors or essential hardware
Expired food or treats
Recalled pet products
Opened or expired medications
Prescription medications
Used or opened sterile medical products
Broken grooming equipment
Damaged electrical equipment
Items that cannot be safely cleaned or sanitized
Heavily contaminated pet furniture
Please remember: Our volunteers already dedicate an incredible amount of their personal time to caring for rescue animals.
Donating items that are clean, safe and usable helps us spend that time caring for animals rather than sorting through or disposing of items we cannot use.
❤️ DON'T SEE YOUR ITEM ON THE LIST? PLEASE ASK!
This list is intentionally VERY extensive, but it is certainly not all-inclusive!
We tried to think of everything we could possibly use, but we're sure there are plenty of helpful things we haven't thought of!
Have an extra appliance, piece of equipment, household item, storage solution or something else sitting around collecting dust?
Please don't assume we can't use it simply because it isn't listed!
Send us a message with a photo or description of what you have.
We would absolutely love to see whether it's something one of our foster families or volunteers could put to good use!
We do ask that you coordinate donations with us in advance, especially larger items, so we can ensure we have someone who can use them.
Because we're entirely foster home-based, we do not have a public shelter or a location where donations can simply be dropped off without arrangements.
📱 Text West Valley Animal Rescue: (623) 688-1691
🐾 YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPEND MONEY TO HELP SAVE LIVES!
You might not have $100 to donate.
But maybe you have six extra towels sitting in your linen closet.
Maybe your puppy outgrew a plastic crate.
Maybe your children no longer need their baby gates.
Maybe you have a stack of blankets you haven't touched in years.
Maybe you have storage bins in the garage that are just collecting dust.
Maybe you bought cleaning supplies in bulk and have extras you won't use.
Those things might not seem like much to you, but to a foster family caring for multiple rescue animals, they can mean EVERYTHING.
Every donated towel, blanket, bottle of cleaner, puppy pad, pet bed or bag of food helps us stretch our resources further.
And when we don't have to spend money purchasing everyday supplies, we can put more of our resources toward veterinary care, medical treatment and helping additional animals.
We are incredibly grateful for the community that continues to stand behind West Valley Animal Rescue.
So take a look around your house! You might already have exactly what we need to help give another animal a second chance.
Thank you for supporting our rescue, our incredible foster families and the animals who depend on all of us!
❤️ West Valley Animal Rescue
🌐 WestValleyAnimalRescue.com
📱 (623) 688-1691