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!