Giving Back: 5 Ways to Help Animals This Holiday Season

By WebVet.com

'Tis the season for love, laughter, and of course . . . giving.

For every pet that has a present to open under the tree, there are countless others without a home, and in need of love. Keep those less fortunate animals in your heart this holiday season and if possible, include them in your traditions by giving the gift of love.

Here are some great animal charities that WebVet recommends:

Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS): The purpose of this organization is simple: To build a better world through kindness to animals. Since the late 1980's BFAS has worked to place dogs and cats who were considered "unadoptable" into good homes, and to reduce the number of unwanted pets through effective spay and neuter programs.

• Right now -- and for a limited time only -- every gift made (up to $2 million) to the animals at Best Friends will be doubled! Thanks to a group of generous donors, your gift will now be able to save twice as many lives, so now is truly the time to give. Clickhere to make a difference.

Maddie's Corner: Maddie's Corner, founded by actress Kristen Chenoweth in honor of her Maltese Maddie, aims to celebrate the bond between people and their pets while lending a "helping paw" to those in need. The organization's vision is to inspire a more humane, thoughtful and tolerant society that will benefit the quality of life of both people and animals.

• You can support the organization in a variety of ways: by joining Maddie's Club, purchasing merchandise, or making a donation that will benefit affiliated rescue groups, shelters, spay/neuter programs and organizations that work with animals to help people. To make a donation, click here.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): The organization's mission is simple: "To provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States." The ASPCA works to rescue animals from abuse, pass humane laws and share resources with shelters nationwide.

• With your donation this holiday season, you can choose a festive card to be sent to the honoree of your kindness to animals. Click here to find out more information and to make a donation.

Shorty's Pit Bull Rescue: You probably know this team from the Animal Planet show chronicling their work with pit bull owners, rescuers, and supporters.

• Shorty's Rescue was created in 2001 when Shorty rescued his dog Geisha out of the Los Angeles Animal Shelter, and it now offers assistance to a variety of charities including Linda Blair's WorldHeart Foundation, Karma Rescue, Doors of Faith Orphanage and Furbaby. For more information or to make a gift, click here.

PetSmart Charities: PetSmart Charities partners with and supports thousands of animal-welfare agencies across North America to support programs that help fight homeless pet overpopulation and improve the quality of life of pets through adoptions, spay/neuter and emergency relief.

• This holiday season, PetSmart is donating 10% of the purchase price of its special holiday gift items and 10% of the initial value placed on each gift card to PetSmart Charities to help save homeless pets. Click here to find out more.

Check out more great pet info at WebVet.com!