Under the Animal-Lover’s Tree
Presents purchased through local and national humane organizations are the perfect holiday gifts to give something special to your loved ones – and the world
An animal-themed gift is a popular holiday present for pet owners and lovers. And there’s no shortage of shops and merchants offering such things.
These days an increasing number of animal humane groups and rescue groups also offer an assortment of such gifts. And those outlets, either local groups or national groups that have online stores on their Web sites, are gaining popularity with consumers because a portion of the purchase price goes to support efforts to care for homeless animals.
“I consistently go that route these days,” says DeeAnne Palmer, Kansas City, an animal lover who regularly shops for friends’ and family members’ gifts at her local shelter, as well as from the online stores maintained by rescue groups. “It seems like a double gift in a way. I give a nice pet-themed gift I know the person will like, and it has special resonance because it’s also saving animals, which I know is appreciated too.”
Among the national groups that offer animal-themed merchandise on their Web sites:
– North Shore Animal League America. The New York-based pet-rescue and welfare group has dozens of home accessories, clothing items and pet products, as well as scores of holiday items such as a canine musical snow globe, a tree-top (animal) angel and specific-breed jack-in-the-box. Go to www.nsalamerica.org and click on “Shop.”
– The Humane Society of the United States. There are HSUS-themed shirts as well as a wide variety of other animal-themed options such as the dog-lovers wine club and holiday postage stamps with animal illustrations. They also offer the opportunity for you to personalize a large number of items with photos of your four-legged pals (or those of your friends) – a silk tie printed with photos of Dad and his pooch, for example, or custom aprons with a giant grinning mug of your best friend’s cat. Go to www.hsus.org/shop. Click on “Zazzle” for the custom items.
– The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): The holiday options include cards, animal-shaped ornaments and pendants. And there’s an assortment of other items, too, including shirts and other clothing options. Go to www.aspca.org and click on “Holiday Store” for items of that nature; click on “Gifts for Her” or “Gifts for Him” for gender-specific items.
– Best Friends Animal Society. The massive animal sanctuary in Kanab, Utah has an assortment of gift items on its Web site. The inventory includes a variety of funky Laura Birch happy-animal-patterned bags and totes, pet toys, fanny packs, key rings and mugs and shirts. Go to www.bestfriends.org and click on “Best Friends Store.”
There are other help-the-animals options if you’re so inclined. Many rescue groups and zoos offer the chance to “sponsor” an animal. You can do that in someone’s name, and that person will receive a certificate with information about the animal being sponsored. You also can make a donation in someone’s name and most groups will send a certificate acknowledging that donation.
Or you can order a gift subscription to an animal group’s magazine or buy a paver stone or kennel plaque (many shelters sell them for $100 and up) in the name of your friend or his animal (or both) and dictate what you want written on it.
What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, training and loving your pet. E-mail Sharon@Pets2008.com.
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