Wild in the Streets

I live in a nice town adjacent to Berkeley, California, that is very urban, but I have a big ol’ backyard, which I love-it is the reason I live here. I have racoons, a family of squirrels, and a pair of deer who seem to love the yard as much as I do. One of the older trees bears a huge amount of apples every fall, much more than my boyfriend and I can cook or eat, not to mention our friends, coworkers, and deer and squirrels. So we bag up the extra apples and take them to a place where deer congregate at the edge of the woods a few blocks away. Every time I deliver a new bag, I see lots of deer tracks, showing that my four-legged friends enjoy their apple a day. So before you just compost the extra bounty of your garden or fruit trees, take a look around and see who else might appreciate a neighborly gesture.

Make Furry Friends

    Studies show pets provide both a psychological and physical boost to their owners- so donate to petsfortheelderly.org to help a senior get a dog or a cat. The unconditional love of a pet can make a life that much sweeter.

National Pet Day

    If you have a pet, make sure you give them attention every day. Even if you can only afford to spend ten minutes with them, that time is enough to show them that you care and to make them feel loved. Pets need love as much as people do. The responsibility of caring for your pet’s life includes dedicating time and affection toward them.

Warm and Fuzzies

    Maybe you want to cozy up to your newly-adopted loved one; the World Wildlife Fund has a stuffed representation of every imaginable animal, bird, fish, or beyond. For a mere $55 donation on wildlife.org, you get an adoption certificate, a gift bag, and the long-distance love of a beastie! You can also get a photo of your new baby to show off to the relatives at holidays (what grandparent could resist a three-toed sloth, smiley orca, or scaly anteater in the family, really?).

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

    You know you want to adopt a  wild animal, don’t you? Oceana’s Adopt an Animal program allows you to befriend (from a distance) a whale, manatee, puffin, sea turtle, or any number of beautiful sea creatures. Swim on over to oceana.org and bask in the richness dwelling within Earth’s oceans.

Your Friends from the Farm

    Gene and Lorri Bauston found a living sheep abandoned on a stockyard “dead pile” in 1986. Once they recovered from the shock, they rescued the sheep, named her Hilda, and went to work creating the Farm Sanctuary. Within ten years, Farm Sanctuary became the nation’s largest farm animal rescue and protection organization. They now have a New York shelter and one in California, 100 miles north of Sacramento. Their website is farmsanctuary.org. Not only does their organization rescue thousands of farm animals each year, but they are also involved in groundbreaking campaigns to help animals. Another way you can support this effort is to visit a sanctuary with your kids, as they often include quaint petting zoos with fuzzy critters!

Animals Have Rights, Too

    Even with progressive legislation, our wildlife still faces a variety of threats. If it weren’t for organizations like Defenders of Wildlife, I doubt almost any animals would be safe. Alaska’s Arctic Refuge, the manatee, lynx, wolves, otters, and now the Endangered Species Act all are in harm’s way.

    On defenders.org, you can sign up for free wildlife updates, called Den Lines. Keep informed of any shenanigans going on and of how you can help, simply by using your mouse to make yourself heard. You can adopt an animal or two (adoption also makes a great gift!) or you can become a member and receive their excellent magazine. Defenders continue to need our support to carry on their fantastic work on our behalf… and on behalf of our wildlife and our wild places.

Food and Shelter

Next time you do your grocery shopping, pick up a large bag of cat or dog food to donate to a local animal shelter. Your goodwill will be repaid to you with many loving licks.

Make Furry Friends

    Studies show pets provide both a psychological and physical boost to their owners- so donate to petsfortheelderly.org to help a senior get a dog or a cat. The unconditional love of a pet can make a life that much sweeter.

National Endangered Species Day

    Did you know monarch butterflies are at risk of becoming extinct? Protect wildlife and endangered animals. Join a preservation group or animal sanctuary to help keep our habitats and animals safe. More than 800 animals have gone extinct over the last 500 or so years, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources' Red List- generally considered to be the most comprehensive of its kind. Our diversity is what makes Earth so special and we must do all we can to preserve it.

National Pet Day

    If you have a pet, make sure you give them attention every day. Even if you can afford to only spend ten minutes with them, that time is enough to show them that you care and to make them feel loved. Pets need love as much as people do. The responsibility of caring for your pet's life includes dedicating time and affection toward them.

Fur-Free and Fabulous

     Don't buy fur, ivory, or other products derived from endangered animals. By purchasing these things, you are personally contributing to the extinction of an entire species without realizing it. And we know you don't want to do that. Fake fur is lots more fun. If you want to know specifics about poaching or endangering species, go to worldwildlifefund.org.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

     You know you want to adopt a wild animal, don't you? Oceana's Adopt an Animal program allows you to befriend (from a distance) a whale, manatee, puffin, sea turtle, or any number of beautiful sea creatures. Swim on over to oceana.org and bask in the richness dwelling within Earth's oceans.