Pets need blood too!

Have you ever considered that our pets need blood transfusions just as we humans do? Animals need transfusions for the same reasons that humans do, including surgery, trauma and disease. Healthy donors are needed to give blood to the many pets that need transfusions. A single donation can be used to save up to four other pets’ lives!

Many veterinary offices draw and maintain their own blood bank. Be sure to ask your vet if your dog or cat is a good candidate. There are several notable animal blood banks in the U.S. Feel free to do a search for ones accepting donations in your area. I've included two of the most prominent organizations here.

The Pet Blood Bank Accepts donations from dogs. Dog Eligibility requirements:

• Be healthy and current on vaccinations and heartworm preventatives
• Be between the ages of 1 and 9
• Weigh at least 50 lbs.
• Have a friendly disposition
• Be available to donate at least four times a year

Donation is a simple procedure and does not require anesthesia or sedation. The donation process generally takes 10 – 20 minutes. Dogs do not need to fast before donating. After donating, your dog will be rewarded with treats and belly rubs. The Pet Blood Bank frequently holds drives throughout central Texas. Please email them at Info@PetsLovingPets.com for more info. The Ohio University Veterinary Blood Bank Takes donations from dogs and cats. Dog/Cat eligibility requirements: Be healthy and friendly Be between the ages of 1 and 7 Donate at least 4 times a year Weight 50 lbs. or more (dogs)/ 10 lbs. or more (cats) If your dog or cat meets the above minimum requirements, and you are interested in to see if he or she can become a Blood Donor – call Dr. Cristina Iazbik, managing director, at (614) 688-8460 to set up an appointment.

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Cat Found Living in $27 Used Sofa!

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Akron, OH - Cat needs adopted/rescued URGENT!

This beautiful cat is located at the Summit County Animal Control Facility in Akron, Ohio. She's been there since Feb. 12, so her time is running out!!! She is a small adult female. She looks EXACTLY like my beloved cat, Hermie. I find it so odd that she is also very small for an adult cat, just like my kitty. I am begging for somebody to adopt her or for a rescue to pull her and give her a second chance!

Her adoption fee is only $60.00 and she will be up to date on shots and spayed!

Her animal ID # (that you will need to reference if interested in her) is C02-027.

If someone can help this girl, please contact the Summit County Animal Control at 330-643-2845 AND email cfatheree@summitoh.net.

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Give free food to dogs & cats in need!

Freekibblekat.com is a great site where you answer kitty-related trivia questions and give food to kitties in need at the same time, and it's all free! The best part is that the cats still get the food, even if you get the question wrong. There have been 53,056,970 pieces of kibble donated since June 01, 2008!


Play Freekibble.com's Bow Wow Trivia to give free food to dogs in need! 80,082,610 pieces of kibble have been donated since April 1, 2008

Mimi Ausland, a 12 year old girl from Bend, Oregon, wanted to help feed the hungry animals at her local animal shelter. “There are 10’s of thousands of dogs and cats in animal shelters across the country, all needing to be fed a good meal.” Say hello to freekibble.com and freekibblekat.com!

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Cocoa Mulch Can Be Toxic to Pets

With spring right around the corner, I'm sure many of us will be working in our gardens and landscaping our yards, which also serve as play areas for our cats and dogs. Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called 'Theobromine'. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it attracts dogs. If they ingest this, they may die. Just a word of caution, check what you are using in your gardens and be aware of what your gardeners are using in your gardens.

Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline.

(The photo above is only ONE BRAND of cocoa mulch. The danger is not isolated to this brand alone.)

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Rome, GA - Cats, kittens, dogs, & puppies need adoption/rescue URGENT!

The above animals are located at the Floyd County Animal Control in Rome, GA. NOTE: They are listed on Petfinder under Rome-Floyd County Humane Society as A COURTESY ONLY. These animals ARE NOT SAFE! The animals pictured above will be euthanized after Tuesday if not adopted or rescued by then! They can also be sponsored monetarily, which can give them more time.

Because there are so many animals in need, I could not post links to each individual Petfinder page. To find more info on any of these animals, please visit the Petfinder page HERE. REMEMBER, do not use the contact info listed on the Petfinder page to inquiry about these animals. Use the information given below. ALL ANIMALS LISTED ON THE PETFINDER LIST WITH A "9" IN THEIR NAME ARE LOCATED AT THE ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITY. THE ABOVE ANIMALS CAN BE FOUND BY LOOKING AT ANIMALS WITH NAMES BEGINNING WITH '9.'

If you are interested in adopting or rescuing any of these animals, please contact:

Floyd County Animal Control 706-236-4545

431 Mathis Rd., Rome, GA 30161

Fax 706 233 0032

FCAC Website: http://www.floydcountyga.org/Animal%20Control/About.htm

Hours: M, T 10am - 6pm, Wednesdays NEVER OPEN, Th, Fri 10am - 6pm Sat + Sun 1pm - 5pm

If you are a rescue group that wants to pull any of these animals:

Please contact FCAC at the above # and visit the FCAC website above to review their rescue group paper policies. (They welcome rescue groups, but due to a recent "incident," they must ensure you are an actual rescue group.)

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Financial Aid for Vet Care

Economic times are tough, making it difficult for many pet parents to pay extensive or emergency vet medical care costs. Even the most prepared pet parent doesn't always have the extra funds for expensive emergency treatment, such as when Fluffy swallows a string or Spot gets hit by a car. Fortunately, there are organizations out there that can help with vet costs. Some are specifically for emergency medical treatment, while others can assist with routine medical care. Some help individuals, Good Samaritans, and rescue groups. These organizations exist to help those that need it most, so please don't take advantage of their offerings.

Feline Outreach - Assistance with unanticipated vet costs for cats. Helps individuals and rescue organizations.

IMOM - Dedicated to ensuring that no animal has to be euthanized simply because their owner cannot pay for medical care.

American Animal Hospital Association - Helping sick and injured animals in need, including those that have been abandoned and assisted by Good Samaritans.

Angels4Animals - Financial assistance for sick and injured animals whose owners cannot afford medical costs.

Care Credit - A credit card company for health care, including vet care.

Cats in Crisis - Non-profit organizations that assists in the medical care costs for cats with chronic or emergency medical situations. Helps individuals and rescue organizations.

Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance - Provides vet care cost assistance to cat owners and Good Samaritans with cats in need of life saving or emergency medical treatment.

Help-A-Pet - Provides vet care cost assistance to cat guardians who are physically or mentally challenged, senior citizens, and the working poor.

The Pet Fund - Provides vet care cost assistance for animals in emergency medical situations.

United Animal Nations - Provides vet care cost assistance for homeless or recently rescued animals in need of emergency/life-saving medical treatment. Mainly serves Good Samaritans and rescue groups, but can also assist individuals in financial need.

Labrador Life Line - Assists with vet care costs for the owners or rescuers of Labs.

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Foster parents needed!

I am currently working with a wonderful rescue located in Akron, OH called Paws and Prayers. They do not have a physical shelter where they keep animals. Instead, every animal is fostered in a home until they find the perfect person/family to adopt them. The people involved with this rescue organization are truly dedicated to the animals they serve. They are mainly a dog rescue, but they also foster cats (I'm currently fostering 3).
They pull many dogs from death row in county shelters and pounds. Paws and Prayers is in desperate need for some foster volunteers to take these wonderful dogs into their homes until forever homes can be found. Providing a temporary home for these dogs will literally save their lives. The rescue pays for all vet care, food, and other supplies.
You do not have to live in Akron to foster for Paws and Prayers. They work throughout the Northeast Ohio area.

If you are interested in becoming a Paws and Prayers foster parent, please visit their site and contact info@pawsandprayers.org.

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Akron, OH - My foster kittens need forever home(s)!

These are my three beautiful, playful, and amazing foster kittens. I rescued them from underneath my neighbor's porch. They had been left to live outside through the snow and below freezing temperatures, being fed nothing but human table scraps! Last summer I rescued their siblings, their mother's previous litter. I can tell you that while this mother cat has had the misfortune of living outside 24/7 and not being spayed, she has produced some wonderful litters of kittens!

These little guys are about 3 months old. They've been to the vet, received all of their routine shots, been dewormed, and now have a clean bill of health! They will be neutered once they are old enough (the vet waits until their are at least 4 months old). I am fostering them through a no-kill, non-profit rescue that will pay for the kittens' spay/neuter.

The black kitten is Daisy. She's sort of the leader of the pack. Daisy is almost always the one to instigate something! She's very curious and adventurous. She's also a huge love bug! Her purr sounds like a motorboat, and you don't even have to touch her to get it going! Yet, she rather play with you or lay next to you than be held on your lap or in your arms.

The gray kitten is Matilda. She's the shy, quiet one of the group, but don't let that fool you. She can play and tumble like the best of them! If you're gentle with her, you'll have her purring in no time! She's also more than willing to lay in somebody's arms.

The long-haired kitten is Simba. He's the bodyguard of the group and also happens to think of himself as a little lion. He's very easy to hold in your arms when he's not tumbling and rolling around on the ground! He enjoys play, but I believe he'll grow into the ultimate lap cat! He puts on a brave, strong front, but I think he just wants a a super plush kitty bed, plenty of toys, and a lifetime supply of kitty treats.

Daisy, Matilda, and Simba are the ultimate feline three musketeers! They're a wonderful team and I believe they find comfort and confidence in one another. They have only been with me for a week, which has been their first experience with such close human contact. They are not feral cats. They are very friendly, but they can be a bit shy at times, especially with new people, new setting, and new situations. I believe the reason they have flourished so well within the last 7 days is because they have had each other. It would be my dream to find them a wonderful home together. I realize that this might not be possible, but I am asking that if anyone has the room in their heart and home for this wonderful troop to please consider adopting all three, or at least two. If one is left, I might adopt him or her, as their older sister would sure love a forever playmate!

The rescue is based in the Akron area, but I can adopt the kittens to surrounding Northeast Ohio area.

If you are interested in learning more about Daisy, Matilda, and/or Simba and possibly adopting them, please contact me at afurryfriend@gmail.com

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Meriden, CT - Cat in need of foster ASAP!

This is Solider, a semi-feral cat that has been living at the Meriden Humane Society in Meriden, Connecticut since he was 9 weeks old. I say semi-feral since he has been in contact with humans from a young age and is not completely wild. He is simply rather scared of people and needs someone to work with him on this. He is part of a "troop" of cats that was abandoned at the shelter a year ago.
Soldier adores other cats, but he is terribly frightened of most people. The shelter staff has been working with him very hard. Those working with him want to emphasize that just because Soldier is scared, this doesn't mean he isn't a good cat. He will let people pet him and every once and a while he'll even push his head up into your hand, demanding a pet! He also loves Chicken & Shrimp Meow Mix cups. The worker who contacted me about Soldier says that out of the over 100 cats currently at the shelter, Soldier is by far her favorite.

Soldier should only go to a home with adults or older children and teenagers who can understand Soldier's special needs at the moment. He should also only go to a dog-free household. A dog would probably terrify poor Soldier so much that he would hide and never come out. It would also be nice if he had a single room or area to stay in at first, rather than the entire house. This will reduce the places he can hide and also keep from overwhelming him too much.
Solider is in need of an understanding person who realizes he is scared and will give him the love he deserves and appreciate his independence. Soldier will need a quiet home where there are limited places for him to hide. He needs to go somewhere that is quiet and comfortable, so that he may gain his confidence with people.

Soldier is up-to-date with routine shots, neutered, and house trained.

He currently does not have the best litterbox habits. This is believed to be a side effect of his weight loss, which is a result of his constant physical activity in the cat room! He tends to go wherever he is sitting; however, he usually urinates in the litterbox.

The shelter will pay for food, litter, and vet expenses. They will also provide food dishes and litter boxes, if needed.

Foster families can be from any distance that can be comfortably driven. The shelter wants to be close enough in case he Solider needs to be returned or if there is an emergency; yet, for the most part, any distance a foster family is willing to drive is acceptable.

Anyone interested in more information on Soldier can contact the Meriden Humane Society:

Phone: (203) 238-3650

Email: meridensociety@sbcglobal.net.

They can also email foster applications if anyone is coming from a distance and would like to get an application in before making the trip. (Obviously they won't force anyone to take him just because they put in an application. It's entirely non-binding.)

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The Truth about Declawing

I took my three foster kittens to the vet yesterday for their first exam and shots. While in the waiting room, I witnessed over 3 people come in to schedule declawing surgeries for their cats. Just the sound of it fills me with pain. I had to restrain myself from jumping up and giving a speech about the horrible procedure that is declawing. If I didn't have such wonderful self-control, this is what I would say:

1. Declawing is not like removing a toenail! It is literally maiming your cat. It's actually multiple amputations comparable to the removal of human fingertips at the first knuckle. Sensory and motor nerves are cut, damaged, and destroyed. Recovery from the surgery is a slow and painful process. This procedure can hamper the sensations and enjoyment involved in walking, running, springing, climbing, and stretching.
2. While declawing is a popular and lucrative practice in the United States, it is not practiced in European countries. It is, in fact, against the law, in many countries including England, Germany, Switzerland, and Australia.
3. Cat Owners who elect to have their paws declawed generally do so with the belief that they will never have to deal with fabric damage due to destructive scratching problems. However, paw sensitivity resulting from the declaw operation may result in litterbox avoidance and urine-soaked furnishings or carpeting.
4. Without its #1 defense system many declawed cats resort to nipping or biting with very little warning. They often use oral means to express their insecurity and this may also result in destructive chewing problems. If your cat is an outdoor cat or sneaks outside, he/she will have no defense against other animals.
5. For declawed cats, the activities of climbing, jumping, holding, grasping, and ability to balance are all affected and are never the same again.
6. Cats, like people, react differently to physical handicaps. Some appear to be unaffected and others become nervous and defensive. When a dramatic temperament or behavior change occurs, the cat owner often decides to take the cat to a pound or shelter or have it euthanized by a veterinarian.
7. Sometimes cats might act as if they are not affected after being declawed, but cats are one of the best creatures at hiding pain.
8. THERE ARE MORE HUMANE SOLUTIONS! If you don't want your cat scratching the furniture, there are more humane, comfortable ways to do so. Scratching of furniture and other things is 100% preventable without the use of declawing.

Alternatives to declawing:

• Soft Paws - lightweight vinyl caps that are glued to the cat's front claws.
• Provide a scratching post for you cat. Learn how to make your cat use/prefer the post.
• Visit Stop Cat Scratching to learn helfpul tips, hints, and tricks to make your cat stop scratching. These include objects to use to avert them and training techniques to stop them.

Information from Cats International, Declawing.com, CatScratching.com, & The Problem Cat.

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Northern New Jersey - 2 cats in search of new, loving home

These adorable cats are Bozak and Jewel. Unfortunately, their parent has come down with a new health condition and must find the cats a new home. The family has tried to avoid it for a couple of years, but the situation has gotten worse and there is no other option. Bozak is a 7-year-old male. Jewel is a 5-year-old female. They are both neutered/spayed and up to date with their shots. Neither has an existing health concerns or conditions. Bozak and Jewel are friendly, calm, and well-behaved cats. They get along well with children (they have a 3-year-old in their family). The family is not sure about how well the cats get along with dogs. The family wants Bozak and Jewel to remain together, as they have a great bond. These two would make a great addition to any household.

The current owner requires an adoption fee of $25. If you are interested in adopting Bozak and Jewel, the family would like you to come meet them. Upon adoption, the family ensures they will take the cats back if it doesn't work out.

If you are interested in speaking to Jewel and Bozak's owner and/or meeting them, please contact neshik1@yahoo.com

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Keep your animals warm & safe this winter!

Because today is the first official day of winter, and it will probably only get worse from here, I've compiled some helpful tips to keep your animal companions safe, healthy, and warm this winter season.

• Keep cats indoors - Even experienced outdoor cats can be at risk of freezing, getting lost, and being killed in the cold weather conditions. Also, cats like to climb up into engines or wheel wells of cars to keep warm. This is very dangerous for you kitty friend! (TIP: Before starting your engine, bang loudly on the hood of your car a few times to give the cat a warning. I even check each wheel to make sure nobody is curled up on top!)
• Don't leave dogs outdoors - Let them out or take them for a walk only long enough to get a bit of exercise and do their business. Very young, very old, and short-haired require even less time outside and should always have supervision when outdoors in the cold. You might even consider buying a sweater or other protective weather gear for your dog.
• Thoroughly wipe your dogs’ legs and stomach when they come in to prevent freezing from snow and ice. Check their pads for ice and snow as they can bleed from the snow and ice being encrusted on them.
• Never leave your animal in a car during the cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold.
• If your dog spends a lot of time outside, increase his food — particularly protein — to keep his fur thick and healthy.
• Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy. Routinely check your pet's water dish to make certain the water is fresh and unfrozen. Use plastic food and water bowls rather than metal; when the temperature is low, your pet's tongue can stick and freeze to metal.
• If you spill antifreeze, clean it up right away. Even a very tiny dose is a lethal to pets. A pet-friendly antifreeze is now available for purchase. If your pet should get into antifreeze, call your vet as soon as possible.
• Never shave your dog down to the skin in the winter. Leave the coat in a longer style for more warmth. When you bathe your dog, make sure he is completely dry before taking him out in the cold.
• If your dog is an outside dog, make sure he has a dog house with plenty of straw inside to help keep him warm. Consider putting a flap on the front of the dog house to keep the cold wind out. Also consider putting the dog house up on blocks to keep it off the ground. Also, turn the opening away from the wind. The best bet is to take dogs into the house when the weather is really bad or put them in a garage.
• Remember, regardless of the actual temperature, windchill can threaten a pet's life. Just because animals have fur does not mean they are suited and prepared to live in freezing temperatures!

Your animal companions deserve to live indoors with you and your family, especially in cold and/or bad weather. They should be like members of the family, and treated as such.

Info taken from HERE and HERE.

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Massive Animal Shelter Fire in Ontario Kills nearly 200 Animals!

Workers grapple with loss of 180 animals after 'nightmare' blaze at humane society
TENILLE BONOGUORE
December 18, 2008
The postcards came infrequently, plastered with joyful photos of once-neglected cats and dogs happily settled into new homes.
Staff at the Humane Society of Durham Region loved each new missive, and would pin them to the Happy Endings board in the reception area. In a job like theirs, such images were the ultimate satisfaction.
Yesterday morning, all of those cards and more than 180 animals awaiting their own happy endings perished in a fire that gutted the Oshawa shelter.
Only 12 animals were rescued: nine dogs, two cats and feisty Bernard the rat.
The society is now trying to find a temporary shelter, while workers grapple with the loss of animals they had known for up to three years.
Shelter manager Ruby Richards arrived at the industrial park where the shelter is located at 2:30 a.m. yesterday and saw flames and smoke billowing into the sky in the midst of a snowstorm. "It's a nightmare," she said yesterday.
The rescued animals were taken to a 24-hour animal hospital in Whitby. Six were later returned to a temporary office set up at the Oshawa shelter, while three dogs and two cats remained under the care of a veterinarian.
The Humane Society of Durham Region is a no-kill shelter, euthanizing only animals that are terminally ill or dangerous. Cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents and other small domestic animals - rescued, found or abandoned - stayed for as long as it took to find a home.
"This is not just a job; it's a life for us," said animal-cruelty investigation officer Debby Houghton. "We know their names, we know what they like and don't like, how they were abused. Staff would take months and months to turn them around, so they could find a new home. It's a passion."
Some of the deceased animals already had homes lined up: A family that was meant to pick up their adopted chihuahua on Monday joined mourners outside the charred building yesterday morning.
"It will be a tough Christmas," Ms. Houghton said.
The Ontario Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire, which caused an estimated $250,000 in damage.
Homes are being sought for the rescued animals, and with up to a dozen reports of animal abuse received in Durham Region each day, staff said there is little time to lose in setting up another shelter.
A mass cremation will be held for the deceased animals at the Oshawa Animal Services Centre. Ms. Richards said their ashes will be kept "until we can put them somewhere special."
From Globeandmail.com.

Please assist The Humane Society of Durham Region in any way you can:

A trust fund has been set up:
Scotiabank, Oshawa Main Branch,
75 King St West, Oshawa Ontario L1H 8W7
Account # 80762 002 01000 13

To make material donations:
Contact the Humane Society directly at: 905-436-5632
or
Contact the City of Oshawa's call centre, SERVICE OSHAWA, at: 905-436-3311

Donations to the Humane Society of Durham Region can be made to 1-888-ONT-SPCA, ext. 323, or online at http://www.humanedurham.com.

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ASPCA to double all donations until 2009!

Thanks to a generous $50,000 Challenge Grant, every donation made to the ASPCA by December 31, 2008 will be doubled until the organization reaches its $50,000 goal. Remember, new donations or ASPCA memberships are tax deductible!

REMEMBER, you can donate by simply scrolling down towards the bottom of this page and clicking on the orange ASPCA donation box with a kitty on it. You'll be taken to the ASPCA donation site where you can pledge whatever amount you want. By donating through my page, you will help me reach my goal of raising $250 (I do not get any of the money, mind you.)

If you do not wish to do that, please visit the ASPCA website for more information on the challenge and to donate!

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What's Santa Paws bringing your furry friend?

Be sure not to forget your animal companions this time of year! In case you're having trouble finding the perfect gift for your furry loved one, I've come up with a list of interesting and fun gifts I'm sure any cat or dog would love to receive from Santa Paws!

Dog Toilet Water Bowl
A hilarious conversation starter and puppy pleaser, this water bowl keeps your pet well hydrated and your home cleverly decorated.

Only $24.95 from What on Earth

Cat Veranda
Specially designed to give your indoor cat the sights, sounds, & smells of the outdoors. Features a washable, carpeted interior, & covered roof, to ensure that your indoor cat has the most comfortable outdoor fun!

Only $135.00 from OutdoorDecor.com

Plush Dolls of Common Pet Diseases
Cuddly creatures that like your pet as much as you do! Your pets can now bite back at Rabies, Mange, and Heartworm. Each plush doll comes with educational information about its history and science. They're contagiously cute!

Only $29.95 fromGiantmicrobes, Inc,

Pet Umbrella
This well-designed Pet Umbrella is practical and keeps fido not only from getting wet but ultimately from getting everything else wet, too. The clear umbrella body allows full view of pet.

Only $23.95 fromThe New York Dog Shop

The Indoor Dog Restroom
This mat-and-tray system gives dogs a place to relieve themselves when they can't get outside. Ideal for high-rise dwelling dogs, when owners aren't home or harsh weather. Made of antimicrobial porous artificial turf.

Only $149.95 from Hammacher Schlemmer

The Pet's Observation Porthole
The Pet's Observation Porthole provides a clear cutout for your pet to peek through to see beyond the fence and stimulate the pet's curiousity. The Pet Peek is created by Best Friends Care LLC.

Only $29.95 from Hammacher Schlemmer

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Give the gift of helping animals this holiday!

Do you have an animal lover in your life? Are you stuck on things to ask for? Consider giving a gift of charity to help animals in a loved one's name, or ask for a gift to be given on your behalf. It's a great way to share the love of the season with other creatures in need.

I suggest contacting local pounds, shelters, and rescue organizations in your area if you would like to donate something in someone's name or in your name. Many allow you to sponsor an animal that has a condition that prevents him or her from being adopted. Some might have other options, such as saving an animal from death row. Most zoos allow people to sponsor animals for a year. Check with your local zoo to see if there is an animal you can "adopt" for something this year. Costs for this are usually low. Just because animals live in a zoo does not mean they have all their needs covered. Zoos are being hit by the hard economic times and they need your help!

I've compiled a list of some of the more national or international organizations that allow you to purchase gifts of charity. These range from adopting endangered animals, purchasing actual gifts, of which proceeds go towards helping animals, sponsoring shelter animals, and more.

The Animal Rescue Site - Shop thousands of animal, household, clothing items and more! There's something here for everyone, even those who are not animal enthusiasts. Proceeds go to helping shelter animals.

Best Friends Animal Society - to view these gift options. - Help on of America's largest and most successful no-kill animal sanctuaries! Best Friends has found homes for 75% of their special needs animals, and the rest live out their lives at the sanctuary. Give a gift membership to Best Friends Animal Society which comes with several goodies. Even better, sponsor an animal at their sanctuary for only $25! You can even pick what animal you want to sponsor! Best Friend Animal Society has TONS of charity gifts! Prices range from $5-$2500, so there's something for everyone's budget! Gift options include corrective horse shoes, a spay/neuter for dog, spay/neuter for cat, free flight sanctuary for birds, treats for birds, tray of vaccines for cat, wild mammal are (funds to raise an orphan), joint medication for dogs, one horse feed pail, spay/neuter for 4 rabbits, 1 month joint medication for a horse, training time treats for animals. Go HERE to view these gift options.

Farm Sanctuary -Help animals at the nation's leading farm animal protection organizations! Gifts range from $5-$250. Gifts include treats for animals, emergency rescue funds, one month of care for a barnyard of rescued animals, one month of care for a chicken, one month of care for a cow, one month of care for a duck, one month of care for a goat, one month of care for a goose, one month of care for a pig, one month of care for a rabbit, one month of care for a sheep, and one month of care for a turkey.

San Diego Zoo - Give one of their many gift options to help animals at the San Diego Zoo. Prices range from $13-$50. Gifts include amphibian conservation funds, toys for animals, condor conservation, elephant conservation in Kenya, Gorilla conservation in Congo, koala conservation, polar bear/arctic conservation, cheetah conservation, sponsor one day of research for a scientist, provide 1 day of care for a zoo baby, funds to help rebuild the Giant Panda breeding center in Wolong.

In Defense of Animals - As one of the nation's best animal rights and welfare organizations, In Defense of Animals works tirelessly to stop the suffering of animals all over the world. Their gifts range from $10-$55. Gifts include providing new bedding, treats, and food for a newly rescued animal, emergency surgery for a critically ill animal in India, one month of feed for an emu, watermelon treats for pigs, a parvo vaccine for one rescued puppy, initial vet exam for a puppy or kitten, support for a rescued puppy mill dog, one month of care for a rescued cat, 500 anti-fur leaflets, one spay/neuter, surgery for a critically ill pony in India.

In Defense of Animals-Africa/Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center - Help support this organization that provides life-long sanctuary for 64 orphaned chimps, whose mothers were killed in the illegal trade of chimpanzee meat. Gifts range from $25-$120. Gifts include 3 days worth of bananas for the chimps, two days of food for one baby chimp, or a six month sponsorship of one baby chimp.

Defenders of Wildlife - Help this wonderful organization in their mission to save wild animals and wild places all over the planet. Gifts range from $25-$125. Gifts include adopting a dolphin, adopting a jaguar, adopting a panther, adopt a penguin, adopt a polar bear, adopt a sea otter, adopt a snowy owl, adopt a tiger, adopt a wolf, save a sea turtle, save arctic refuge, or help stop global warming.

ASPCA - Help the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals continue to provide wonderful care and support to rescued, orphaned, and abused animals. Gifts range from $25-$5000. Gifts include exams and vaccines for one rescued pet, a microchip ID for one rescued animal, microchips for 2 rescued animals, rescue a foal, rescue one animal, emergency vet care for one rescued animal, one spay/neuter, or spay/neuter for 50 animals.

Brazilian Network to Combat the Wild Animal Trafficking - Help this organization reach their mission to fight the illegal trade of wild animals in order to contribute with the preservation of biodiversity. Gifts range from $50-$1000. Gifts include providing education to the public, one school education kit on preserving fauna, one radio program, one month of bulletins, assistance for fauna conservation programs, one school education kit on protecting wild animals, anti-trafficking training, or one health report.

National Wildlife Federation - Help the nation's premier grassroots conservation organization protect endangered species. All gifts are $30. Gifts include adoption of a Lynx or the purchase of 15 acres of grazing land for endangered animals.

World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) - You gift will help support the world's greatest protector and advocate for endangered species. There are so many gifts here, and something for everyone's budgets. Gifts range from adopting one of more than 90 endangered species (gift includes certificate, plush version of the animal you are sponsoring, and more), monthly adoption clubs, gift adoption cards (your loved one gets to pick the animal he/she adopts), extraordinary gifts of extreme impact, apparel and accessories, crafts, and more!

The Jane Goodall Institute - Help this amazing organization promote activities that ensure the well-being of chimpanzees, other primates and animal welfare activities in general. Gifts range from $5-$10,595. Gifts include sponsoring a chimp, an amazing exploration/travel experience with the Jane Goodall Institute, and a large assortment of crafts, clothing, accessories, toys, jewelry, and more!

Remember, there are MANY other animal-related charity gifts out there. Just Google it, and I'm sure it's out there. Hopefully you'll consider giving a gift that will make your recipient happy and help another creature in need at the same time! Happy shopping!

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