In the run up to the holiday season the Tuesday after Thanksgiving has become #GivingTuesday. After the overdosing of spending on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with a quieter pause for Small Business Saturday it is hoped that people will reflect on essential and needier organizations and share their wealth with others.

For animal lovers there are numerous options to choose from, once you have decided whether you want to donate to wild animals, abused animals, cats or dogs, shelters or therapy centers, spay and neuter clinics. All noble and worth, with some doing seriously great things to improve the lives of animals.

Here are just some suggestions to point you in the right direction:

ASPCA  – works throughout the USA with local centers, and also channels funds to other needy places.

North Shore Animal League,  – the largest no kill shelter in the world!

Big Cat Rescue – fighting to protect the lives of exotic pets and stop the trade in them.

The Wildlife Conservation Society Big Cats working to conserve the endangered 7 big cats.

Big Cat Initiative of the National Geographic Society working to support numerous threatened species.

Cats Protection – For Friends in the United Kingdom this is the largest feline charity helping to rescue and care for cats and kittens and does great work.

A word of caution

Unfortunately not all charities are created equal. There are some that fall far short on their use of your donation. Investigations into the Humane Society of the United States found that only 1% of donations actually goes to animals. They do not pass money onto local chapters. Consider passing on this charity and donation to a more worthy organization. You can research many charities through Charity Watch who grades many of them and gives you an idea how far your donation will go.

This list of suggestions is just that – suggestions. It does not include all the local shelters and organizations that provide for cats and kittens and if you know of a great place near you, donate to them. But just in case you haven’t got a clue where to donate the above suggestions might just be what you want!