While we enjoy buying gifts for our loved ones, many of us embrace the true spirit of the winter holidays by reaching out to others less fortunate. Not every worthwhile holiday activity involves spending money, and one includes gift purchases that benefit various cat causes as well as needy cats
Pick one or more of these holiday activities to recapture the joy of the season.
Give Humane Gifts to Cat Lovers
Photo Credit: © Tabby's Place
Pictured is Tashi, one of the special needs cats at Tabby's Place, which your gift donation will help.
Feed the Hungry: Season of Suppers
Photo Credit: © iStock Photo
Buy Lance's Blankies & Benefit Shelter Cats
Lance Wolf and Laura Wands are two people with huge hearts, and a boundless love for cats. They share their Illinois home with a number of cats they have personally rescued and nurtured. I met Lance on my About.com Cats Forum many years ago, and have ordered his Kitty Blankies for my own cats and as gifts, for several years. Every penny of profit is donated to the Alton Area Animal Aid Association, in Alton, IL.Volunteer at an Animal Shelter
If you find yourself short on cash, as many of us do this time of year, perhaps you can spare one or two hours a week volunteering at your local animal shelter. Consider also, bringing used blankets, sheets, and towels with you. Most shelters welcome this kind of donation, and your closets will be neater. If you have the time, you can make Christmas more meaningful by spending an hour or two cleaning cages, brushing cats, or just cuddling and playing with the cats. They will love the attention and you will come away with the inner warmth of knowing you have made a difference to these attention-hungry cats.If you don't know where your local shelter is, Petfinder.com has a handy shelter-locator tool.
Adopt a Shelter Cat
Photo Credit: © iStock Photo/Dan Brandenburg
Iams Home 4 the Holidays program, which partners with 3,400 shelters and rescues around the world, is hoping to facilitate the adoption of one million cats and dogs this year. You can find a list of participating shelters on the Iams Home 4 the Holidays web site.
