Suggestions for animal care/rescue organizations to donate to...?

[aeli]

I don''t post much, but am always tuned into PS and was hoping for suggestions from all you animal lovers. My new boyfriend insisted on no Christmas gifts this year, but I''d really like to do something. He''s a huge animal lover, so I thought a donation to an animal care/rescue organization in his name would be nice. Does anyone have suggestions, SPCA, Humane Society, others...? Suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[movie zombie]

Best Friends

see: www.bestfriends.org

they have a sanctuary in Utah and you can actually go there and volunteer for your vacation!

peace, movie zombie

 

[fire&ice]

Well, having been in dog rescue for years, money on a local level is MOST appreciated. We were a small no kill shelter of last resort. And, as such - operated on the kindness of strangers & committed volunteers.

I''m sure you have many in your area. The best way to get names is look in your classifieds. They usually have dogs/cats pictured and available for adoption. Most have websites. See which one you like the best.

 

[cinnabar]

I second everything Fire & Ice said. I volunteer at a local wildlife rehabilitation center; we have a sister organisation right next door which is a no-kill dog/cat shelter, and both are totally reliant on donations to keep going. We have a poster in our reception area that says how much it costs to keep various animals for a week, from orphaned bearcubs right down to tiny songbirds, so people can get an idea of what their gift means in real terms. The water bill alone, for one sick seal, is astronomical.

As well as good old money, our pet shelter welcomes gifts in kind: they have a list of stuff they need, like cat litter, branded food, old towels, even hotdogs (used for dog training rewards). If people can''t afford to donate much money, they still get to feel like they really helped even if they just brought in one chew toy for a dog.

Your local organisations will be very, very grateful for whatever you can give them. Thank you for thinking of animal welfare.

 

[kenny]

Hearts for Hounds is the doggie rescue place we got our little Kizzy and Yaya from (see my thread "Christmas Card Photos").

They go to the pounds in Southern California and ask what dogs will be put to sleep soon.
They evaluate them and pick the ones most likely to be adoptable.
They spay/neuter them, give them shots and whatever medical care their vet advises.

Then they put the dogs in a "foster home" of a volunteer till they can adopt them out.
They bring the dogs to local Farmer's Markets hoping to match up doggies with people.

They are non-profit so it is tax deductible.

Their website: Hearts For Hounds

 

[Blue824]

I agree with F&I and Cinnabar...I''ve sent in checks to larger organizations before, but the most fulfilling donation I''ve ever made was dropping off a carload of "wishlist" items to a local shelter this past year! They were so incredibly grateful, just made feel so happy being able to do something so small yet so meaningful to them and seeing the effect locally. All the ones near me have a wishlist online of items and brands that are needed. Or money always helps too

 

[monarch64]

I''d definitely check out your local animal shelters and see if they offer a program like what you''re talking about. I also love the idea of making donations of wishlist items, they can always use postage stamps, paper towels, kitty litter, etc. That way you can shop (at Sam''s Club or wherever) and get your Christmas shopping fix, and it still ends up being a good deal for everyone involved, including our furry friends!

 

[Caribou]

I would check out your local shelters as well. I donated to Petsmart after H.Katrina, I did it on their website all the money went to help aid the animals that were affected but that. I also donated to another place....let me look to see if I can find their e-mail....found it.

Noah's Wish, they help animals that are affected by diasters, such as, H.Katrina. I want to say their website is noahswish.org but I could be wrong..google it, it should come up.

Both websites send you a thank you note (Noah's Wish I got two, one by e-mail and one by letter) and they both also send you updates and let you know where the money you sent went too. You can also go to any PetSmart and donate.

 

[aeli]

Wow, thanks for the responses! Well, I''ll try seeing what local shelters are in the Bay Area (he lives in Oakland, I''m just a few minutes north of San Francisco).

 

[movie zombie]

bay area group: PETS IN NEED in redwood city. certainly south of sf but at least its bay area. there is also the HOMELESS CAT NETWORK out of san mateo.

peace, movie zombie

 

[recran]

Just thought I''d pop in here and suggest that people check out Noah''s Wish. It''s an organization that specifically helps pets after disasters (like Hurricane Katrina). Very cool.

 

[portoar]

I think if you call or go to your local Petsmart they will be able to help you with a rescue organization you can donate to. Many of the Petsmarts have regular "adoption days" where the rescue groups bring dogs to adopt out. That''s how we found our Corky, a frisky little 3 legged dog who was found wandering the streets with a compound leg fracture. He was taken in by a rescue group called Shelter Pet Partners, a vet volunteered the medical treatment (the leg had to be amputated -- too far gone) and then they fostered him until we got him!

Prior to that, we had adopted two greyhounds from Operation Greyhound. These are former racetrack dogs, who, by the way, are treated horribly and then killed in inhumane ways when they are no longer profitable at the track.

Anyway, your local Petsmart can give you good ideas for animal rescue organizations in your area and I''m sure a donation would be most appreciated!

 

[bar01]

I agree with many others - local is the way to go. I support a local dog rescue group in my area. Does your guy have any specific types of breeds of animals he likes?

There are many local organizations that specialize in certain types of breeds. The dog rescue I help out with works with Lab's.

 

[door knob solitaire]

If you wanted to make it more personal, you might consider the donation to go to your recepients favorite breed as mentioned before. There are rescue organizations for all breeds in each city. We love the Boxer breed, for example.

In my city we have an organization called PAWS-don't recall what the appreviation is, but they rescue and arrange foster homes for sweeties in need.

You can call any vet in your city as they take donations for injured untagged animals brought in by car accidents or wild life rescue. I was in with my pup not long ago, (she had a staple stuck in her tongue)...anyway...they took me to the back and showed me this tiny doe (oops I meant fawn). She was days old and her mother was killed by a truck. The largest big brown eyes and eye lashes you have ever seen. Covered in little white dots...she needs financial support for awhile and it was a pleasure to sponser her.

My husband gets a Petsmart donation every year from many people. Petsmart really gives back to your local community. Learn all they do for our furry friends. You will love spending your money there once you do!

What a great idea your gift is! Makes you feel all warm and FUZZY!!

 

[Mara]

Pets in Need is great for SF BayArea, my girlfriend got her Weimeraner rescue dog there. She also fosters for them I think. Also what about the SF Humane Society? They do a run every year, the Doggone Fun Run and we did it last year and raised something like $150 for donations. Now we get their newsletter. SF Humane: http://www.sfspca.org/home.shtml

I think there is also an organization called PAWS in SF as well. (ETA there is a PAWS in SF, it's called Pets Are Wonderful Support and it has to do with helping disabled people or those with illnesses have and support a pet etc: http://www.pawssf.org/)

We donate to the Westie Rescue of SF Bay, we have a Westie and we adore them.

Also you can check into if there are still rescue organizations around the Katrina area to see if they still require donations or funds for assistance of displaced animals. We donated to a few of the centers around there after the hurricane as well.

For me, personally, a donation is best put in a place close to your heart (aka for us Westie rescue) or where you see the most need.

I also don't think I'd want to support a kill-shelter so it'd be hard for me to donate to a humane society since many of them are kill-shelters. Part of what Westie rescue does or a breed rescue is take dogs from shelters that are the breed and then they find homes for them. Most humane societies will try to contact a local breed rescue if there is one nearby when a breed dog comes in.

 

[door knob solitaire]

That is a good point Mara...even though those places need assistance...giving money to them is endorsing the end result.

My sister in law gave a Petsmart donation to my husband last year. They don''t give you anything, (except the receipt) so she printed a self created certificate off her computer and attached it to a rawhide chew toy. It was attached with a festive red bow and was very appropriate. You could use a dog biscuit too I suppose. Or if your person is in to cats...and fun little cat toy. I would attempt to put a jingle bell on something. Make it SOUND fun! Or place it in a furry red stocking...those things are soooo cheap.

I gave to a childrens charity in someones name, I got a big candy round disc on a stick...about 15" across...lollipop? and attached the reciept and effort on the lollipop. (Oh what are those big things called? Not lollipop...a sucker? Aghhhh.) Tied with festive curly ribbons she still has it on her desk. And has continued to give.

I''m sorry you were not asking how to give it...just where...I need time away from PS.

DKS

 

[EdSkinner]

My wife was a kennel worker at our local SPCA. At that SPCA they had a wish list drawn up of items they needed at the kennel such as grooming sheers, treats, towels, ect. The reason they had this is because money that was directly donated to the shelter never seemed to funnel its way down to the animals and a lot got lost in administration. I would recomend donating to a rescue orginazation, they are running by the seat of their pants. My favorite is Basset Hound rescue. I have rescued 3 from the kennel and got them into foster homes. I have also adopted 2.

 

[door knob solitaire]

Hammer TIME...

You have given the ultimate donation...your home and commitment...two little slurpy drooly bassets in a "forever" home...and helped many others. Good job!

DKS