While canine shelters grapple with overpopulation, many opt for euthanasia to reduce numbers. Other options exist, according to supporters of better outcomes for animals. “Saving the lives of dogs and cats in animal shelters is the responsibility of everyone in every community,” said Audrey Lodato, Regional Programs Director, Best Friends Animal Society. Lodato responded to a Trentonian article. “Animal shelters and the staff who work there can only create and sustain lifesaving programs if they have community support and participation. Stakeholders and community working together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively is one way to help Trenton Animal Shelter sustain no-kill status.” Best Friends offered five ways the Trenton community can help save the lives of cats and dogs at local shelters, including Trenton Animal Shelter. 1: Adopt—Help animal shelters in the Trenton community make space by adopting a dog or cat. The shelters need adoptions to continue to reduce overcrowding. Check with individual shelters for reduced or fee-waived adoption specials. Every adopted dog comes spayed or neutered, microchipped, and has received age-appropriate vaccines. 2: Foster—Temporarily opening your home for a few days or a few weeks can give dogs and cats the necessary time to find their permanent home.  Pets emotionally and physically thrive in foster homes. There is no expense to foster – supplies and medical care are provided by the shelter or rescuefor the pet while they are in the foster home.  Fostering creates space at the shelter and saves lives. To get started, complete a simple online form for Trenton Animal Shelter Foster Program. 3: Volunteer—Shelters are often short-staffed, under-resourced and need a helping hand from volunteers to provide enrichment to the animals in their care.  If resolving to give back in the new year, consider enriching the life of a shelter pet as a volunteer. 4: Ensure the Safekeeping of Your Pets and Help a Lost Pet— Studies show that one in three pets will become lost in their lifetime, but microchipping and keeping up-to-date identification on your pets greatly increases the chances of being reunited. In fact, 52% of lost dogs and two out of every five cars are successfully returned when microchipped. Additionally, 70% of lost dogs are found within a mile of their home, so it’s important to ask neighbors and community service workers, like mail carriers, if they recognize the pet. If the pet lacks identification, visit a local veterinarian, animal shelter, or rescue group to have it scanned for a microchip. 5: Spread the Word—Tell your friends, family and co-workers that animal shelters in the Trenton community need adopters and temporary fosters to sustain pet lifesaving efforts.  Follow updates on local shelter’s social media channels, like Trenton Animal Shelter’s Facebook Page. Saving a life could be just one share away.“Intake has increased, and adoptions have decreased at shelters, contributing to a challenging environment for lifesaving,” said Lodato. “Adopting or fostering a pet can help to alleviate the stress shelters are experiencing, so if you can, I urge you to adopt or foster from Trenton Animal Shelter or your local shelter now.” To learn more about Best Friends’ lifesaving initiatives in New Jersey, visit bfas.org/NewJersey.