Wondering How to Donate to Your Favorite Animal-Related Charities? Six Simple Questions Help Focus Your Giving

I was ready to wrap up this newsletter (really ready) when I had a funny feeling that I should write just one more article. I tried to wiggle out of it (shorter newsletters are better, right?) but the feeling just wouldn’t let me go. So, I don’t know who this article is for but it might be for you; so, read on!

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get so locked into one way of doing something that I miss all the other options out there. This goes for more than meal-planning, exercise, and the route to work, people. It also includes supporting organizations that work on behalf of animals.

Check out the questions below for some ideas on how you can help animal-friendly non-profits (okay, and other non-profits as well) continue their work.

1. Do you have a plan to give? People who automatically set aside a certain percentage of their paycheck for charitable donations each month find it’s simple and enjoyable to give. You don’t have to wonder if you can afford to give because the money’s already sitting in the bank account just waiting to be donated.

2. Are you giving money and time? One program I know of suggests setting aside 5% of your paycheck and 5% of your time to support organizations. After all, money isn’t the only thing that runs the local animal shelter. It takes people power too!

3. How efficient is your charity? I nearly fell over when I discovered that 85% of donations - 85 cents out of each dollar I gave, people! – to one organization went towards fundraising. Fundraising! How does your favorite charity rate? Find out through Charity Navigator.

4. What is the scope of the organization’s work? For me it’s important to act at both the local and national levels. I’m thankful Farm Sanctuary is working nationwide to ensure farm animals are treated well and I also believe strongly in IndyFeral, which has dramatically decreased euthanasia rates for Central Indiana felines by spaying and neutering 15,633 cats (yes, you read that right) since 2002.

5. Has the charity of your choice earned the Humane Charity Seal of Approval? Sometimes people feel stuck between a rock and a hard place: I’m committed to ending cancer and, if that means experimenting on animals, well, what can you do? Well you can find an organization on the Humane Seal website, that’s what you can do! They list hundreds of charities that have the same goals as you do (such as ending cancer) plus they accomplish it without harming animals.

6. How else can you give? It’s easier than ever to contribute these days.
• You might pick up an extra bag of bird seed or kitty litter next time you’re at the store and put it in your local shelter’s donation bin.
• Or you can clip and mail unused coupons for dog food to your favorite rescue.
• You can even donate food for animals (at no cost to you) or urge lawmakers to take action for animals with just the click of a mouse

7. Have you remembered to request divine assistance? I believe that every prayer, every hope, every blessing, every wish is answered in some way and that, like an arrow speeding toward a target, the universe rushes in with love for those we pray for. Where can you find room in your life to ask the Divine to assist others?

However you give, whether through your time, your prayers, or your money, please be assured you are making a difference – and we’re all thankful for that!

Shannon Gross * Animal communication and body|energywork * www.shannongross.com