Donation FAQs

Donation FAQs:

We are frequently asked questions about what kind of items we do and do not accept. Below is a list to help you decide what you can donate to the animals of the New Hampshire SPCA. When we are given crates, animal housing, bedding, and other items that we do not accept, they must be disposed of. Our organization then has to cover the disposal fee, which takes financial resources away from the animals.

Below is a snapshot of the items we need and use. Please refer to our Wish List, which is a comprehensive list of items we are most consistently in need of. If you have any questions, please call 603-772-2921 ext. 110 or email info@nhspca.org. Thank you so much for thinking of the animals!

Where to drop off local donations:

To make it as easy as possible, we have a donation cart that you’re welcome to pull up to and place your donations in! Once you’ve pulled down the driveway, bear left and go around the building toward the small red Lamprey Barn. You will find the donation cart by the large white car garage door. The cart is out seven days a week between 8:15 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. If it is raining, sleeting or snowing heavily, the donation cart will not be out.

What we can accept for donations:

Food

Can take:

  • Unopened, unexpired dry and canned dog, cat, bird and small animal food*
  • Easy Cheese
  • Hot dogs and low-fat string cheese (Please do not leave these items in the donation cart. You can drop inside our building. We are open every day from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except Wednesday (closed).
  • Unopened, unexpired pet treats

*Please check our Wish List for specific details regarding food and treats (such as brands).

Cannot take:

  • Opened or expired food
  • Raw diets — we cannot properly refrigerate or freeze this food long term, making it unsafe to feed our animals

Bedding

Can take:

  • Towels of all sizes
  • Flat sheets
  • Wash cloths
  • Blankets
  • Comforters

Cannot take:

  • Pillows
  • Fitted sheets
  • Clothing
  • Seat cushions
  • Window curtains
  • Shower curtains
  • Rugs
  • Carpets
  • Blankets/Comforters with embellishments

Pet Beds

Can take:

  • Pet beds of all sizes that are in good condition, preferably ones with removable/washable covers

Cannot take:

  • Dirty, stained, torn pet beds

Toys

Can take:

  • New pet toys (check our Wish List)
  • Gently used pet toys

Cannot take:

  • Worn, torn or dirty pet toys
  • Children’s stuffed toys with embellishments

Crates

Can take:

  • Crates and carriers of all sizes in good condition with functioning parts, closures, and zippers

Cannot take:

  • Rusty, broken, dirty crates and carriers

Farm Supplies

Please refer to the Wish List for specific requests, but we are always accepting Elevate Vitamin E Supplement for horses.

*If you have farm animal (horse, goat, pig, sheep, fowl) food or supplement you wish to donate, please always email FarmAnimals@nhspca.org before dropping anything off to ensure we can use the item(s) and have the appropriate storage space available.

Pet Supplies

Can take:

  • Stainless bowls
  • Ceramic bowls
  • Martingale collars
  • Nylon leashes
  • Gently used cat trees and hideaways in good condition

Cannot take:

  • Plastic bowls
  • Automatic feeders/waterers
  • Used litterboxes of any kind
  • Automatic litterboxes
  • Covered litterboxes
  • Extendable leashes
  • Collars that are not the martingale design
  • Cat trees and hideaways in poor, worn, stained condition

Medical Supplies

Can take:

  • Unopened & unexpired preventatives, such as topical flea and tick medication and heartworm preventative
  • Unopened & unexpired joint supplements
  • PPE — Gowns, booties, gloves
  • Unused & unopened Subcutaneous Lactated Ringers Fluid Solution

Cannot take:

  • Prescription medication
  • Controlled substances of any kind
  • Human or animal diabetic supplies, including needles
  • Subcutaneous Sodium Chloride Fluid Solution
  • Dietary supplements
  • Anything opened, partially used or expired
  • Sharps containers