Animal Charity Christmas Gifts

Animal charities need to educate people and are always in need funds to do that so why not give a gift that helps animal charities like the WWF this Christmas. Some of the animal welfare issues currently being dealt with by animal charities include: intensive animal farming, inhumane slaughtering, hunting, the exotic pet trade, dog fighting, international animal cruelty/welfare problems and the overpopulation of domestic animals. So it's not just about rescuing pets whose owners have let them down.

You can help the vital work of the WWF by becoming a member from as little as £3 a month. Just click the banner above for details.

However many animal charities in the UK are dedicated to the vital work of helping, nuturing and rehoming pet animals that often through no fault of their own, cannot look after themselves or be looked after. For most people watching 'Animal Hospital' or Pet Rescue' is why they want to help, and that's what we mostly think about, charities that take in 'unwanted' pets and place them in foster homes until a permanent home can be found for them. It's not just dogs or cats either, small pets are rescued like hamsters, gerbils and other unwanted small rodents and re-homed (even the unfriendly ones). If you are unable to care for your pet for whatever reason, animal charities can help. They also desperately need foster homes for pets whilst a permanent home is found for them.

Pet education should start at an early age, and we don't just mean dog obedience classes. It's necessary for pet owners to learn more about their pets, and many animal charities can assist with this. If you know cats, you'll know they are pretty independent, and are always able to get themselves into scrapes, even the fit young ones. It's when they are not so young and fit that the owners may lose interest. The Cats Protection is a good example of the type of organisation that can help. Formed in 1927, Cats Protection has grown to become the UK's leading feline welfare charity. Cats Protection now rehome and reunite 55,000 cats and kittens every year.

If you have a dog, it's a must-do to indenti-chip them, and some charities offer this service. So if your dog is lost, escapes or is stolen with a microchip fitted you will be contacted as soon as your pet is found. There are over 3,000 scanners in use all over the country, which can read the unique code stored in the microchip, and then it's a matter of looking up the owner details stored on the PetLog database. Of course it's not just dogs, cat owners should take this vital and cheap step as well.

Most rely on voluntary donations and fundraisers, charity balls, television advertisements and stickers are just a few of the ways that people donate money to animal charities. Even a few pounds can help animal charities care for the animals that need help. For some animals the animal charities can make the difference between a species surviving or disappearing for good. All they need is your money, but giving a Christmas gift to someone is an easy way to help.