It really is amazing what animal charities need and how they use items for the benefit of the animals they care for.

The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust has 17 donkeys in Leeds who receive lots of apples and carrots from their adoring public, and of course they love them.


Logs, branches & herbs needed! Can you help?

But these donkeys also need logs to help keep their teeth in shape and give them essential minerals.

And they can use branches with their leaves (if still attached) to hang up around the yard - more chewing opportunities and entertainment. This time of year, the donkeys spend more time inside in the warm, so they need a little something to do in their spare time.

The donkeys also need herbs - parsley, thyme, lavender & rosemary for medicinal purposes, especially hoof ailments.

You can donate logs from trees such as ash, beech, hazel, sycamore & any fruit tree.


Donkeys do a lot for children

These donkeys give riding lessons to children with special needs, and they have been doing this for nearly 10 years, when the Eccup centre first opened. So they deserve lots of treats, especially at this time of year!

Between 130 and 150 children with special needs and disabilities enjoy their lessons here in Eccup every week, so there's lots of work for these kind patient donkeys to do.

So if you live in the Leeds area and you have logs, branches or herbs to spare, please call the centre on 0113 261 9249. Rosie, Kelly, Simon, & the gang will all be very grateful!

(And if you're looking for a Christmas present for someone, you could adopt a donkey or sponsor a ride. I adopted Moses in Birmingham for my parents' wedding anniversary present some years ago, and renew every year because I know how much they love getting updates and news from the Donkey Sanctuary and the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust.)


Think before you throw

The morale of this tail is: before you throw, consider - could an animal charity in your area make use of what you've got? Use our list of animal charities to find a charity, give them a call and find out if there are any items they are really short of. Then see what you can do to get it for them. Friends & family can often come up trumps!

Hee-haw for now!

Sally


Get Active with Animals

Today, I learned that artist David Shepherd has been awarded the CBE for services to charity & wildlife and conservaton. Since 1960, David Shepherd has raised over £3 million, along with supporters of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.

David Shepherd received his CBE from the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace. And he was quick to point out that we need to work urgently to conserve endangered species throughout the world. The Foundation works to support projects with grants to save critically endangered mammals in their wild habitat. These projects also benefit the local people who share their environment.

From anti-poaching investigations in Zambia to rescuing bears in China, from working to support snow leopards in Mongolia and save the Siberian Amur tiger, the Foundation knows it has more to do.

"There won't be a tomorrow for us unless we act very urgently to stop destroying all the species around us that share the planet with us. We have the arrogant assumption that we can do what we like with the planet, but we can't," he said.

Amongst other things, David Shepherd's Wildlife Foundation in Africa has been working to restore the black rhino to a South African national park after 120 years of absence.

The Foundation's web site cleverly shows how, over the years, David Shepherd has seen a decline in many species throughout his lifetime, and how some, such as the Caspian tiger, have become extinct. He is now urging the Indian Government to do more to help the tiger there.

You can find some wonderful limited editions & gifts to support the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and its work on his site. All profits help wildlife. Or why not adopt an animal for a loved one this Christmas? Choose from an African elephant, a black rhino, African painted dogs, an Amur tiger or a Moon Bear.

Meantime, our congratulations to David Shepherd. What an inspiration he is to us all!

Sally


Take Action to Help Animals

It always amazes me the ways in which animal charities are finding ever-innovative ways to raise money.

The UK's national cat charity, Cats Protection, is now giving you the chance to call directory enquiries using their new service on 118 515.

The charity receives 9p from each call made to this number. It does cost you to make the call, but what a great way to be able to give to cats every time you need to find out a number.

Tell your friends & family about this new service, so that they can help cats too!

Miaow for now!

Sally


Take Action to Help Animals

Volunteer for animals and make a difference!

Let me tell you about a very special animal charity in Jamaica.

Maureen Sheridan, who was born in Warwickshire, started the Animal House Jamaica back in the 1990s because no-one was doing anything to help animals on the north coast of Jamaica.

Maureen's goal was simple – to rescue and re-home one forgotten animal at a time. But it wasn’t long before the “one” became the many. Today, this registered charity, which has a no-kill policy, cares for over a hundred and fifty animals.

Life is tougher for the Animal House Jamaica than for many other animal charities, thanks to their hurricane-prone location. Jamaica has been hit by four hurricanes within the past three years and do not know when the next one will hit. Hurricane Ivan in 2005 practically destroyed Animal House and recovery has been slow and painful.

Located just outside Ocho Rios, the charity tackles the problem of strays (dogs, cats, and the occasional horse, cow and goat) and over-breeding through neutering.

It promotes humane education, and intends eventually to go into schools to educate young people as to how to treat and care for animals. But they need funds to do that as well as to continue their work in other critical areas including the provision of emergency medical care for injured animals, and their TNR (trap, neuter and release) program for feral cats.

Because there is no volunteering ethos in Jamaica the shelter has no local volunteers. International volunteers are always welcome.

So how can you help?

The Animal House Jamaica needs anything and everything: supplies, money and willing hands.

• Donate on-line to Animal House Jamaica – every bit helps and goes directly to the animals
  


• Tell animal-lovers about the Animal House Jamaica. Make a donation to it for their birthday or Christmas present, rather than giving them a gift.



• Going to Jamaica on holiday? Give a day or more of your holiday to help out. In the past, two students from Calgary, Canada, and two vet students from Montreal, Canada, have recently spent a month each volunteering.



• If you’re on holiday in Jamaica and can’t volunteer, you could still visit to donate supplies or funds. Or if you have friends who are visiting there, they could take supplies over for you.
  


• If you know of any animal lovers living in Jamaica, tell them about the charity. Would they be interested in volunteering and making a difference to the animals there?
  


• All the animals at the charity are available for adoption. Can you offer an animal a home? Do you know of anyone else who could?
  

Land and Animal Conservation

One of the things we've been noticing recently is the number of people who are doing some really amazing things to help conserve biodiversity and ecosystems on this planet. It's really good to see that there are people who care passionately about the planet and want to do something to improve the state we are in.

So we've started up a web page about land and animal conservation with examples of what people are doing. We've included links to re-wilding estates and projects to protect the habitat in particular areas, plus articles on people who have bought a considerable amount of forest to help conserve it.

The good news is that there are a number of environmental philanthropists - call them what you will - who are out there making a difference, and you can play a part in their mission as well. Many have created opportunties for voluntary work, either just for a couple of weeks or longer.

Do visit this page and see for yourself!

I have been deeply moved by the plight of the pandas in China. With just 1,590 left in the wild, it just seems so unfair that all the efforts to help preserve them should be hit by such a powerful earthquake. For starters, they are such beautiful animals. The preservation of the panda and his habitat helps protect the smaller species as well: that is, the eco-systems which have evolved over the years. And for another thing, the panda is playing such a wonderful role when it comes to improving international relations bewteen countries. In the 21st century, we've never needed pandas so much.


Two of the pandas who went missing after the earthquake are destined for Taiwan, where they will be warmly welcomed by a great many people who are very excited about their impending arrival. Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan were given their names as a result of thousands of people competing to name the animals via the web and instant messaging.


The welcome pandas receive when they are sent to places as gifts are important. First, they raise awareness of the situation these cuddly creatures; they act as a reminder that they are endangered. Second, they generate a good deal of interest in wildlife overall. And third, they prove again that animals can reach out and touch, often more effectively than people.


The centre at Wolong has been damaged and there is a huge need for medical and veterinary supplies and of course bamboo for the pandas.


Please click here for ideas as to how you can help these wonderful creatures.


Best wishes


Sally


Sally Longson
Take Action to Help Animals.
http://www.takeaction2helpanimals.com/

It's been a fairly horrid two weeks so far as disasters go around the world.

First, Burma, where estimates of possible deaths as a result of the cyclone run to 1.5 million.

Second, China: an earthquake of 7.9 magnitude. 10,000 possible deaths, maybe more - who knows?

What has been amazing is the will of people to help; and the way the world is organising itself to help and the speed with which it helps, given distances and conditions in the affected areas.

For however big and overwhelming the disaster, there will be something each and everyone of us can do to help. If we all chip in and do a tiny bit, that's a collective lot.

Wherever collections are being made to help those most affective, why not be an organiser at work and ask for a donation from everyone to save them from finding out themselves?

At times like this, it's important to be open minded as to what the local people need in terms of their lifestyle, rather than our own.

When we set up Take Action to Help Animals, we wondered how soon it would be before someone came to us and said, Why animals? What about people? Surely they are more important? To date, we have received one such question, but what was more about asking whether anyone had said that to us.

The point is that, when it comes to giving for animals in disasters, there are 4 very humane reasons to do it:

1. Many locals depend on their animals for their livelihood. They need them and won't survive without them. Animals provide their milk, butter, cheese and for some, their meat. They provide their tranpsort, they bear heavy loads, they work alongside their human counterparts in the fields. In some cases, their manure even heats their owners' homes.
   
2. The balance of nature is affected. The more species that die out, the harder it will be for planet earth to soften the blow of events such as we see in China and Burma. There will be fewer layers of nature to protect the delicate balance which has evolved over thousands of years.
   
3. Animals and people share this planet. We all have a responsibility to care for each other. The selfishness and greed of many people is increasingly impacting on the lives of animals yes, but also the human race. We are too much now in the habit of putting ourselves first and failing to care for those who also share the planet with us, such as other people and animals.
   
4. The more we can do for animals and humans, the better a place this planet will be. We have the talents to help others, especially in times of disaster; and we wouldn't be using the talents we have to the fullest if we didn't play our part. Helping others is a journey of self-discovery, and the more you do and give, the more you'll find out about yourself.

Please give today. Remember, we're all on this planet together.

Best wishes

Sally

Sally Longson
Take Action to Help Animals
http://www.takeaction2helpanimals.com/

Well, we're back in the saddle after our holiday and we wanted to tell you about a very special charity we made contact with while we were there.

In the middle of Fuengirola, just outside Malaga, we spent a wonderful morning at the Asociación de Protección de Animales Domésticos, PAD for short. They have about 240 cats and 60 dogs in at the moment, and we spent the morning in the cattery. First of all, it was cuddle and stroking time; and then we got more active, cleaning feeding and water bowls, mopping the floor, shaking up the beds and later putting down fresh water and lunch for about 15 very appreciative cats.

We also spent some time talking to Barbara, President of the charity; and later we'll have a write up on her thoughts on ways you can help, whether you’re in Spain or not!

The charity currently has about 50 volunteers, of whom about 20 are regulars. Many of these are people from Scandinavia on holiday in the area, and a good number of the dogs find homes in Finland, thanks to the energies and devotion of a holiday maker to the region a few years ago.

It just shows, though, that even if you're away for a long weekend, you can get stuck in and lend a paw. And if we hadn’t wanted to get dirty, we could have just spent the time cuddling and stroking, or even brushing and grooming. If we’d been more time pressed, we could have become members for 35 Euros and made a much appreciated contribution that way.

One of the things we loved most during the morning was how much the cats appreciated our efforts. Although many of them were shy at first, they quickly wanted to get to know us and one black and white cat particularly enjoyed playtime when we got busy with the mop. He had a marvelous time playing with the ends of it; and even tried to grab a ride! A ginger cat found his way onto our backs, and enjoyed stretching out around our necks.

All in all, a great morning, and we left feeling as though we’d done something hugely worthwhile, for which our efforts had been appreciated by both those running the centre and the cats themselves; and the memory of our morning will be with us far longer than if we’d spend the morning just dozing on the beach or strolling round the shops, pleasant though that may have been. For more info on PAD, click here.

Miaow for now!

Sally



Get Active with Animals
www.getactivewithanimals.com

It was lovely to have so many people come up to say hallo at the Vitality Show, and find out what Get Active with Animals was all about. The conversations we had with people were very encouraging, and in particular we noticed that:

• People are aware of problems on the planet with regards to climate change


• All the people we spoke to about it wanted to do something about it


• Many wanted to actively get involved in animal welfare - and hopefully your visit to our stand gave you fresh impetus to move from the want to taking action


• Many of you had seen the programme on the state of the albatross in the last few days and were horrified that so much plastic could get so far. Programmes like this do show how our actions on one side of the world can affect wildlife and nature on the other.

Over the next few days, we're going to have a short break so our blogs will resume next Monday. See you then!

Best wishes

Sally

Get Active with Animals
http://www.getactivewithanimals.com/

Well, London's Vitality Show is drawing closer and closer and we've been busy putting the finishing paw marks to our terrific CD, Get Active with Animals. Some of the Team are off to collect it tomorrow, which is very exciting, and they are sending me a copy which is even more exciting because.....I'M on the front! As a result, I've decided it's time I got a bigger bone-us.


Now, this CD is a bit different to a lot of stuff you pick up. It's going to help people mix being active with helping animals, and show you how to relax after a hard day surfing the net and hoping the boss won't catch you on Facebook for the third time this week. And what's more, a lot of the activities in there are really very cost effective and time effective too. We've given as a Bone-Us 52 Ways to Help Animals. (I'm not on that one, sulk, sulk.)

Anyway, one of the things I love about the CD is that it's a chance for all you people out there to forget calorie counting, diet plans, exercise goals, how many calories you might lose if you walk up the stairs, and which beauty stuff to put on your face. This is about living the moment, enjoying the day and just reconnecting with your roots.

And speaking of roots, I'm off to dig up a Bone I buried earlier in the garden. Well, I did take 5 minutes off from my dictation in Spain, you know.

Be happy and well, and mind you make a bone-line for Stand J 107 at the Vitality Show. We're upstairs next to the Yoga.

Woof for now

Chico


http://www.getactivewithanimals.com/

Welcome to this blog, and just in case you missed the last one, I'm Chico - that's me on the left - and I'm busily preparing Get Active with Animals for the brilliant Vitality Show in London, 27 - 30 March.


There's more and more awareness now of the benefits animals can bring to help our wellbeing and happiness. At Get Active with Animals, we're going to be promoting a great new product at the March event which will help you to show how you can tap into our powers. Why? Because animals really are amazing, you know. If I know someone is a bit down, for instance, I'm very good at doing silly things to cheer them up. (Sometimes my owners don't go a bundle on my silly things, but then you can't please all of the people all of the time.)

When my boss had a tooth op for example, let me tell you what Trouble did for her. (He's the white cat in the photo on this blog and rumour has it that he is almost as big as I am, so I'm glad he's in the UK and I'm in Spain). Well, he stayed with her very quietly for hours afterwards. He helped lower her stress levels and soothed and calmed her. He didn't do anything particularly; he was just there by her side. He knew she was in pain, and feeling as though she'd done several rounds in the boxing ring. Yes, he did try to eat her toast the following morning - but then it did take her an hour to eat a slice, and she had to fend him off. But his actions made her smile, which helped make her feel better.

The thing is, that you don't have to own pets to benefit from their animal magic, and we're not talking about just dog walking and horse riding, either. There are tons of things you can do, mind body and soul, to bring some animal magic into your life and make you smile.

I know animals can't work a palm pilot, or a blackberry, or drive a car, or stuff like that. But we have the power and ability to connect people and bring people together, whether we are in the same country or thousands of miles away. And we've got the power to reach out to people that even trained human professionals who've been in the job for years just cannot match.

That said, people are very good at opening tins, refilling water bowls and, ummm.....taking me to the vet.

Woof for now

Chico


Virtual Marketing Director
Get Active with Animals
http://www.getactivewithanimals.com/

Well, Hello, and let me introduce myself.

I'm Chico (that's me, pictured to the left), and I'm in charge of getting us ready for the Vitality Show. It's a job and a half, I can tell you, especially as I'm working on-line from Spain, and my paws don't take kindly to the keyboard. But I'm in charge of marketing and public relations, apparently, so what can you do?

Fortunately, I'm a "Do It" sort of dog, and as my owners will tell you, I like to be busy, and I believe in action, and I'm here to tell you a few things about exercise and getting active. Maybe you can take a leaf from the animal kingdom's book.

Animals exercise...

1. For a reason, e.g. to find water, to get dinner, to get into the shade. They incorporate movement into their every day life, so it's much easier. If you exercise with purpose, it makes more sense to move and you really do have a reason to walk, run, jump or whatever. If you don't move for a reason now, change the habit of a lifetime and find one.
   
2. Because it's fun. People can take exercise far too seriously. Have you ever seen a cat with a pedometer or a llama counting calories? No? I thought not. We run, jump, walk, hop, crawl - whatever you want to call it - for a purpose and for fun. There's nothing like a good run around with my canine friends at home. We don't set goals, but by goodness we're focused on the moment. And we do think ahead e.g. to dinner.

Anyway, back to Vitality. I'm feeling very Vital at the moment, as my picture is on most of the things we'll be giving out at the Show. I won't be there, as I'll be in Spain, doing some public relations by chatting up the rottweilers down the road.

Now mind you come and see the rest of the Team at the Vitality Show. They're on the First Floor by the Yoga area. This is not as barking a position as it sounds. Did you know that dogs do yoga?

Stand J107, don't forget.

Woof for now

Chico

Virtual Marketing
Get Active with Animals
http://www.getactivewithanimals.com/

At a visit to Crufts, I made a bee-line for the animal charities at the event, and one which stuck out particularly in my mind - amongst others - was the Blue Cross. Amongst other things, according to its web site, it seeks "to promote a sense of respect and responsibilty towards animals in the community."

This Oxfordshire-based charity offers opportunities for volunters to go into schools to talk to young people about animals and their needs, and in particular responsible pet ownership.

I thought I'd use this blog as a way to highlight this need. If you've got experience of children and love animals, and you're willing to undergo a Criminal Records check, this could be of interest to you. According to their blurb, they have a home study course for you to do, and you'd need to commit to four talks a term, once you're trained up.

If you want the opportunity to strengthen the relationship and understanding between pets and chidren - who are, after all, the future pet owners of this country - then take a lead, wag your tail and click here and then click on Volunteer as a Children's Speaker. There are plenty of other ways you can volunteer for animals, too.

It could lead to a whole new exciting era to your life and a great opportunity to give back to pets who give us so much. By the way, I don't think you have to live in Oxfordshire, and the kids are all under 12.


Volunteer for animals and make a difference.

The world has the technology now to transport meat - be it frozen or not - without subjecting live animals to long journeys to their slaughter.

And animals are suffering horrendously on many journeys they make - extreme temperatures, hunger and thirst, stress, exhaustion, over-crowding and unsanitary conditions.

There is now a GLOBAL effort to put an end to their suffering. And you can join the campaign.

If you have one minute to spare, please visit http://www.handlewithcare.tv/

Please then sign the petition. It is calling for the stopping of long distance transport of animals for slaughter.


The site then gives you the option to forward the opportunity to sign the petition on to anyone you think who may want to join this vital campaign to stop the long distance transport of animals.


This campaign involves a number of organisations such as the WSPA, the RSPCA, ILPH, Born Free and Compassion in World Farming.

We need to add weight to this campaign. Visit http://www.handlewithcare.tv/ and click on the area of the world relevant to you.

If you live in the EU, you can petition the European Commissioner and the President of the EU today asking him to ensure EU welfare standards rigorously. Although the EU already has many laws on this area, they are not being enforced, and as a result many thousands of animals are suffering.

It only takes a minute and a couple of clicks to add your voice and take one small action. Together we can make a difference.


Best wishes

Sally

Sally Longson
http://www.takeaction2helpanimals.com/
Work out how you can help animals
http://www.getactivewithanimals.com/
Boost your wellbeing with animals
http://www.animalhumanwellbeing.com/
Learn more about the animal human bond

You may have seen the terrible news about the many horses who were rescued by the RSPCA in Buckinghamshire who are now being cared for by a number of charities around the southern parts of the UK. Many animals had to be put down, while a good many more were found dead at the scene.

Amongst these is the Horse Trust, situated in the Chilterns, which has launched an appeal called Horse Heaven. Over 30 animals are now in the Trust's hands, all requiring veterinary attention and to provide for their daily needs. The Horse Trust is appealing urgently for funds (please click HERE to make a donation and read more about it) or send a cheque to The Horse Trust, Slad Lane, Princes Risborough, Bucks HP27 0PP.

These days there is a lot of very good information available on the Internet about pet and animal ownership. Much of this is provided by animal rescue charities. There is absolutely no excuse for people who own animals not finding out about their ownership responsibilities.

The Horse Trust has a lot of terrific information on its site, including the costs, care and commitment of horse and pony ownership. Their "Before You Buy" PDFs cover subjects such as:

• buying and owning your first horse;
• the cost of keeping a horse;
• loaning and leasing a horse
• a sample loan agreement
• choosing a horse
• the pre-purchase examination of horses

Well, Valentine's Day is around the corner, and many of us will be thinking of loved ones and something special to buy them.

If you are both animal lovers, why not forgo giving each other presents and give some money to charity instead?

You could adopt an animal for each other, or spend some time visiting an animal sanctuary or event, or just give something to a local rescue centre or organisation.

And if you're both into conservation and protecting the planet, why not consider donating a tree or sponsoring an acre of rainforest? You could do this jointly or for each other.

Many of us already have a great deal (which secretly we know we don't need). In a world where so many have so much, and so many have just a little or nothing at all, make this Valentine's Day a time to spread a little love and happiness around the world.

Let's show others we care, whether they are people or animals.


Best wishes

Sally


http://www.takeaction2helpanimals.com
http://www.getactivewithanimals.com
http://www.animalhumanwellbeing.com

How many searches do you do on the Internet every day? In a week? I'd bet it adds up to a lot.

So how would you feel if, every time you clicked away, you could raise some money for your favourite (animal) charity?

Well, there's a great web site called Click Now. It was set up in 2005 to help charities raise money from internet activity. Currently, it supports 200 charities. More are signing up every day.

When you use the Click Now facility to search on the internet, Click Now receives money from the search engines, and the charities receive 50% of the gross revenue. Easy!

There are lots of animal charities already on the list. If you're favourite one isn't on the list - well, make it happen! Nominate them. It only takes a couple of minutes.

Click on your charity's logo and it will take you to its own Click Now page. Why not make your charity's Click Now page your Home Page - so every time you log on, up it comes!

And if you tell your friends and family about it - well, that really has the power to increase the revenues your chosen animal charity receives.

What are you waiting for? Get searching using Click Now.

All best wishes


Sally




Sally Longson has three web sites all designed to improve the wellbeing and happiness of animals and people worldwide by encouraging greater interaction between them and a give and take approach. You can find out more at:
http://takeaction2helpanimals.com/
http://getactivewithanimals.com/
http://www.animalhumanwellbeing.com/

International Animal Rescue (IAR) comes to the aid of animals needing hands-on rescue and rehabilitation. The charity has offices in the US and UK, and it runs projects in India, Malta and Indonesia.

One of these projects involves the sterilising and inoculating stray dogs and cats. According to the vital campaign, Animals Matter, there are an estimated 600 million dogs and cats in this world, and 80% of those are stray animals.

IAR’s veterinary clinics, which are registered with the Indian Government’s Animal Birth Control scheme, work in Goa and Tamil Nadu to sterilise cats and dogs. (IAR also travels to those parts of Europe where there is a need stabilise the local feral cat population.) Please do your bit to help them by getting your pets neutered.





Please help release a dancing bear in India

IAR is works to remove dancing bears from the streets of India, and it funds bear sanctuaries in Agra (north) and Bannerghatta in the south. Many of the bears have been abused in their captivity as dancing bears (read more HERE); most have had their canine and incisor teeth and claws ripped out. At a few months old, a red hot poker is inserted into the bear’s nose and up through the top of its snout. A rope is then inserted through this hole.

The bear is taught to dance by the handler pulling the rope sharply upwards. Bears soon learn to stand on their hind legs to avoid the appalling pain suffered if they don’t.

Rescued bears are taken into quarantine in the sanctuaries for three months before they begin to socialise with other rescued bears. It takes ages to rebuild trust with humans again.

IAR have rescued about 460 bears so far, but there is more to do. Wildlife SOS, who manage the Agra sanctuary, estimate that some 600 bears are still dancing on the streets of India, even though this practice was made illegal in 1972.


A suggestion for Valentine’s Day.

You can help IAR by making a donation.

For Valentine’s Day this year, instead of exchanging presents with your loved one, why not set a bear free? If you don’t have a special person in your life, why not make a bear your loved one?

You could contribute towards some Bear Necessities, anywhere from £10 to help provide a rich and varied diet for a month, or even rescue a bear.

Please spread a little love around the world to these bears in India. Even if you just spread the word about it, it will help.

Best wishes

Sally


http://www.takeaction2helpanimals.com/
http://www.animalhumanwellbeing.com/
http://www.getactivewithanimals.com/

Happy New Year to one and all!

We're delighted to say that we've launched a new site, Take Action to Help Animals. You'll find it at http://www.takeaction2helpanimals.com

It's special feature is that it has a six point plan designed to help you work out how you want to help. You can access this straight from the home page and work through the various steps at your leisure.

The site has more:

• tools you can download
• a record form for you to keep to keep track of all those things you're doing to help
• a checklist to help you decide what you want to do for animal charities
• ideas of what you can GIVE to animal charities
• a reminder of the importance of recruiting other volunteers - even if it's just to attend an animal event with you and spend some money on the animal charity stands!

Well, it's that time of year again when festive fever is reaching its height and many of us are desparately trying to think of inspiring gift ideas for those people who just have everything.

If this sounds like you, and you're trying to think of something to get an animal lover, our previous blog suggested adopting their favourite animal for them.

Now that Christmas Day is practically upon us, and posting time is very short, if you're still scrambling around to think of something, may we make a suggestion?

What we've done this year with a couple of people who are in the "they have everything" category is to make a donation to an animal charity on their behalf. We've simply written a cheque to the charity and sent it in to them with a little note to say it's on behalf of whoever. We had a chat about it with them, and they're going to do the same with us.

Please don't think we're trying to be smug or saintly about this idea. We haven't given anymore than what we would ordinarily spend on the folk involved, and if we were saints, that's what we would have done.

We've really reached a point where, with so much going on in the world, it seems that we've just got into the habit of buying presents for the sake of it. It's a habit to start breaking; and so we just wanted to let you know what we've done to give you the idea of doing the same too.

In organising this whole thing, we've had conversations with people we wouldn't ordinarily have had at the charities themselves; perhaps we've made new friends for the future - and most important of all, we've been able to help animals directly.

Have a very Happy Christmas, everyone.

Sally



PS Please note our new site to help animals at http://www.takeaction2helpanimals.com/ with its six point plan. Why not give it a go between Christmas and New Year and make 2008 your year to really help animals and make a difference? The plan is absolutely FREE to work through!