OK, let’s say you’ve got some cash to give away. Maybe that’s neither you nor me (definitely not me) but someone out there’s got money better off spent on a tax deduction than on clearance-priced holiday do-dads at Macy’s (if that’s not the definition of money to burn I don’t know what is).
So here’s my list of worthy charities for those really needing to allocate good money to great organizations before the year runs out (in no particular order):
1-The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine Shelter Medicine Program: OK so this one tops my list for a selfish reason: It’s my alma mater. More than that, it’s because this school has built a progressive shelter medicine program I can be proud of. It’s where I allocate my own charitable giving when it comes to my school donations—because population control and controlling disease among the have-nots in the pet world is kind of my thing. If it’s yours, too, here’s the link to the school’s development office. Specify that you want your bucks to head to this program (I promise they’re good about routing your money where you want it to go).
2-Maddie’s Fund: Spaying and neutering pets in low income families is perhaps the most fiscally responsible way to achieve population control. Recruiting vets to help make that happen is a no-brainer. Join the no-kill revolution and vote with your dollars here.
3-The Delta Society: Perhaps the foremost organization supporting the human-animal bond through pet therapy programs and other effective forms of pet volunteerism.
4-American Bird Conservancy: This organization gets consistently high marks for allocating its resources wisely. Not only does it do a lot for our avian wildlife, it’s recently begun focusing its efforts on Cats Indoors, a national campaign to reduce the environmental stress on wildlife through PR—not through killing.
5-Your local no-kill shelter needs your money, too. Is it well-run? Is it clean? Does it foster volunteerism and work with the community to adopt progressive ways to place animals? If so, there’s probably no better place for you to apply your funds if you’d prefer to keep it local. Want to see how well it ranks among seasoned charity watchers? Check out CharityNavigator and other sites that rank charities on a variety of criteria.
OK so these are my favorites but I’m soliciting more from you. Contribute your faves:
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What a great topic. I am a huge believer in donating to charity. We don't have little ones in the family anymore so for Christmas we all pick different charities to donate to instead of buying gifts that none of us need. Here are some of my favorites:
Because of the research work they do:
http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/
In Memory of Magic helps people that can't afford veterinary care:
http://www.imom.org/
The horse rescue work these folks do is amazing:
http://www.defhr.org/
This is a small rescue group that re-homes rare breed mastiffs and other molossers:
http://www.operationk9rescue.com/
Jules December 30th, 2007 10:39:00 AM
Much of my money and time this year has gone to Fallin' Pines Critter Rescue in Christmas, FL. It is a rescue dedicated to rescuing and rehoming exotic animals - one of the few in FL that accepts exotics. Check out new website at www.fallinpinesrescue.org
So many animals are sold at pet stores and are really unsuitable as pets - snakes, monitors, iguanas, etc. People often release them when they grow large or too hard to handle - a big problem in FL now.
Susan December 30th, 2007 11:22:00 AM
Training Wheels http://suesternberg.com/00programs.html
Australian Shepherd Health and Genetics Institute http://www.ashgi.org/
Amy December 30th, 2007 12:17:00 PM
Check out the Trixie Foundation in Kentucky.
www.thetrixiefoundation.org
Donna Hart December 30th, 2007 12:55:00 PM
Sometimes I feel a little guilty because of the money I donate in my area, it doesn't go to the shelter nearest to me. It goes to the shelter several counties away, because I was so impressed by them and by my experience adopting a dog from them. The local shelter is horrid, and sometimes I feel like I should send my money there because they need it more, but I just don't know that I believe that it'll be put to good use.
My other favorite charities are largely pit bull oriented-
Bad Rap is an awesome organization. They really stepped up big time when it came to the Michael Vick dogs, and they're just a fantastic resource all the way around. http://www.badrap.org
Pit Bull Rescue Central is also a great organization. http://www.pbrc.net
and last but not least, Orthodogs' Silver Lining, which helps people to raise funds both for service dogs in need of medical care, and dogs with orthopedic issues who need expensive medical care that the owners can't afford. They're really in need of funds at the moment. http://www.oslf.org/
katie December 30th, 2007 01:31:00 PM
In the past I have donated to Best Friends in Utah, who take the unadoptables, and were also a key resource in the Hurricane Katrina mess, my state shelter (though it's privately funded), and occasionally HSUS , the Northeast Animal Shelter, or the ASPCA.
Since I adopted two rescued cats this year, my money (and food and towel donations) have gone to the local shelters that took care of my girls before they adopted us. They are overrun with animals and don't get the media attention or funding the bigger organizations do.
I also want to second the Morris Foundation that someone mentioned, and the Winn foundation, who support research for feline and canine disease and treatment. Oh, for them to have the money they need to find a cancer cure, a la Sloan Kettering for humans!
Debby December 30th, 2007 02:21:00 PM
P.S. Dr K, you may also be interested in the spay/neuter work of this vet:
http://www.everyanimalmatters.org/
Debby December 30th, 2007 02:25:00 PM
A fantastic topic! And lots of worthy groups listed. I've donated to humane societies both large & small, local and far away. Particularly, after a disaster such as Katrina.
I think often the most for the dollar may involve breed club national or regional associated rescue groups. Volunteers transport, feed, groom and house the rescue dog without cost. Donations are utilized in the best possible way, to provide medical care and neutering. A lot of breed rescues will rehabilitate the dog with issues, find and treat root sources of appearance issues (bald, ear infections, etc.), not discriminate age, and screen well for appropriate matches. Most placement contracts state the group will take a dog back to rehome if the placement fails.
I'm proud to say that two regional clubs, as well as the national club for Scottish Terriers do a wonderful job: Scottish Terrier Club of New England & Scottish Terrier Club of Greater New York
Barbara A. Albright December 30th, 2007 10:21:00 PM
One of my favorites is http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/ Over the years there have been a number of studies and research projects that have contributed to advances in feline medicine.
Moira December 31st, 2007 05:33:00 PM
Thank you again for starting this great thread. I have looked up several of them already and plan to continue. Its always nice to know about the different charities out there. I find it interesting that some of the more brusque posters didn't opt participate in this positive and productive topic.
Jules January 1st, 2008 01:21:00 PM
I'm a little behind on emails and just now catching up while I wait for David Letterman to make his late-night return sans the writers.
For any of you on the West Coast our feline rescue, FieldHaven Feline Rescue - www.fieldhaven.com - is truly a worthy cause!
I have checked out some of the other links and found some wonderful sites and organizations.
Joy January 3rd, 2008 12:58:00 AM
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