I've taken a few pigeons to rehabbers, and just recently an injured baby squirrel that I had to keep in my closet over night, changing warm water bottles out. It was the cutest thing ever, ever!
Whenever I see posts on craigslist of people looking to buy a chinchilla or guinea pig, I send them some basic info on care, direct them to a good forum, and link every one of the animals I can find up for adoption in a shelter or rescue at that time.
I go to a shelter near me and play with the cats, and bring supplies. One big thing they always want is cardboard boxes for animals to play in, around, with, etc. I work at a hospital, so I can get unlimited cardboard boxes in a variety of sizes.
There is a large construction area on our campus, overrun with feral/stray cats that have lived there for years between the construction trailers. The trailers are moving out slowly, and I have contacted some people that rehab feral cats and asked advice. I'm hoping to work with them in trapping the cats.
Recently, most of the kitties at the local animal control shelter were being put to sleep due to a panluk outbreak. There wasn't much I could do, it's not a caring shelter, it's animal control. One of the last cats that seemed healthy but started sneezing was going to be euthanized. So I took him home. He's a nutball with a lot of behavior problems. But I loves him.
I give my info to shelters if they get guinea pigs or chinchillas and don't have much care knowledge on them. I'm no great expert, but I know I can make the time to
find answers.
I know all animals deserve to be adopted to good homes, but I'm the biggest sucker for the senior guinea pigs. My first was 5 years old and missing most of her hair. The shelter people literally cried with joy that someone had taken her. The people who surrendered her didn't want that "ugly thing" anymore. I always want the cat no one wants because it's mangy or morbidly obese.
When I see a greasy chinchilla in a shelter ad, I bring over some of the blue cloud dust, knowing the shelter likely can't afford it.
I tend to quickly sponge up all info on any pet I consider owning, and am always eager to share it with others. In fact, they probably wish I would shut up about it.
My enthusiasm for it is pretty contagious, and the people around me have gotten involved as well. Most of them will never buy a pet again, and will be adopting the rest of their lives. Their animals would be in pet store cages, but instead they are in huge cages.
Oh, and when people mail our webpage asking that we "hack" into their girlfriends account or their grades or something (it's a computer security site), Brian tells them they have to donate money to certain animal charities first. And they do! It's funny.
A couple of my friends who I influenced ...might possibly donate hotel towels to shelters. But naturally I would never condone stealing.
I feel like I'm bragging or something. But really, I don't do much out of the 24 hours in a day, and I couldn't possibly do enough.