Homelessness is not just a human problem. Non-human animals the world round are living on the streets, or in shelters, longing to be given the greatest git of all: a place to call home. It’s not new news that shopping for companion animals online, or through breeders, oten comes wrought with welfare and cruelty issues, and that it doesn’t help the ever-growing number of animals already in need of loving homes. Companion animal overpopulation has become so much of a problem that ‘no-kill’ policy shelters frequently have to turn away animals in need of their care and security — they just don’t have the space, staf or funds. Also, there is the sad reality of ‘open-admission’ shelters, who euthanise animals they cannot rehome ater an amount of time, so that they might continue to help others. It’s not just cats and dogs though — sheep, hedgehogs, horses, fish, mice, rabbits, donkeys and exotic animals also need our support through adoption or sponsorship programmes. Over the next few pages, we take a look at the many benefits of ‘adopt don’t shop’, what animal fostering and sponsorship involves, and the organisations you can turn to.