4 Ways to Get a “Helper’s High”

Megan

By Lauren Puckett

Did you know that performing an act of kindness actually ignites a chemical response in your brain? That’s the positive feeling you get when you do something for someone else, and it’s been coined the “helper’s high.” Beyond the momentary euphoria you enjoy, greater health and increased longevity have also been associated with this psychological state.

Here are four ways you can do a good deed (or two!) for the Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC) and get your own helper’s high in the new year!

DONATE

At HSLC, we are not funded by any county, state, or federal organizations. Our work is only made possible because of donors like you. Your tax-deductible donations make things like this possible:

  • $20 provides two pet food kits for families in need, or two community cats enough kibble for a month
  • $50 vaccinates an animal for rabies or provides five pet food kits for families in need
  • $75 covers a sick exam for a foster animal
  • $200 spays, vaccinates and microchips one community (feral) cat or provides 20 pet food kits for families in need
  • $1,000 covers the average medical cost for a foster animal (in 2022).

In addition to providing financial support, you can donate an item or two from our various wish lists. In-kind donations from these lists help to lower our operating costs, freeing up funds to save more animals.

Dig Deeper

For more information, read “When you donate, where does your money go?”
VOLUNTEER

As a volunteer-based organization with no paid staff, HSLC relies on volunteers to carry out our life-saving mission. We need many folks focused on animal care, of course, but we also need volunteers to cover the business side of the organization: finance, technology, fundraising, marketing, events and administration. Our immediate needs include Community Cat Caretakers in Ashburn, VA and volunteers to support our expanding dog foster program.

“I really believe in the amazing work that HSLC does and I see firsthand how we have helped so many cats and kittens find loving forever homes. While I’ve volunteered for other things in the past, I’ve never before felt the passion I feel for the work that HSLC does, and I’m grateful to be a part of this great team of people!” – Gina Addie

FOSTER

As a foster-based organization, we do not have a physical shelter. We can only save animals when we have a foster home to place them in. Foster families provide a healthy and safe environment for the animal. Fostering increases the animal’s chances of being adopted and helps them overcome the stress of being abandoned in a shelter. When you open your heart and home to an animal in need, you are giving them a second chance at life. Types of fostering include:

  • Regular fostering
  • Vacation fostering
  • Emergency fostering
  • Short-term fostering
  • Special needs fostering

To become a foster, please complete an online application.

HSLC’s 2023 Foster Family of the Year, The McMurrins
ADOPT

Each year, shelters and rescue groups take in millions of cats and dogs nationwide. “Moving” and “landlord issues” are the top reasons people give up their pets. This means organizations like HSLC have dozens of animals in their care who are anxiously waiting to meet their forever families. We hope that HSLC will be your first choice when choosing a companion animal. All pets adopted through HSLC come with the following benefits:

  • Spaying or neutering at the appropriate age (even if it’s after adoption)
  • Current on their vaccinations
  • Microchipping
  • A lifetime of post-adoption support
  • Information about the animal’s behavior in a foster home environment

If you are interested in adopting, be sure to check out our available animals!

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