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What you can do to help shelter cats on an extremely tight budget. Last week I told you about my favorite humane places to shop online and I told you about animal rescue organizations where you make tax deductible donations, but these are some ideas of what you can do to offer immediate help but doesn't cost a lot of money.

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A friend of mine, Leslie who is Mattie's human told me that she visits a dollar store every month and stocks up on toys, bowls, collars and any other pet supplies they have. Usually, it only costs about $10.00 - $15.00 to get several items that any shelter cat or dog needs. Then she donates them all to her local shelter, People for Pets a no kill organization that cares for all animals that people can't care for until the animals are once again adopted.

On a tight budget, a dollar store is your best bet, you can get all sorts of wonderful things that a shelter needs without spending a lot of money. Most shelters have a list of things they need that you can buy from a dollar store, or from a discount grocery store. Most shelters have a wish list like this one. You can see from the items on this list that almost anything you buy will be appreciated. Shelters need the following items, so pick up what you can and take it over to your local shelter, the humans will be very grateful and the animals will experience less stress and be more content:

Toys for cats and dogs

Carriers, crates, kennels, dog houses

Scoopable and non scoopable Kitty Litter

Pooper Scoopers

Disposable rubber gloves

Food and water dishes (preferable stainless steel because they are easier to disinfect than the plastic ones)

Leashes and collars

Bleach, pet safe cleaning supplies

laundry detergent

dish soap

anti-bacterial hand soap

garbage bags

paper towels

toilet paper

newspapers

zip top storage bags

plastic storage containers

stamps and envelops

copier paper, file folders

blankets and comforters (clean of course)

Cat and dog beds

Bath towels, hand towels, wash cloths

Mops, brooms, hand brush and dust pans

plastic grocery bags

rain ponchos

heating pads

animal nursing bottles

grooming tools

dog and cat shampoo

kitten milk replacement formula

scratching posts

and even furniture and appliances (but check with the shelter before you bring them an item they may not need)

Canned cat and dog food dog biscuits and kitty treats

Most shelters are run by volunteers. Everything from adoptions, to paper work to veterinary skills are all volunteered. Usually monetary donations go toward paying the rent, heating and cooling, phones, and other overhead expenses. Remember that $10.00 can go a long way at the dollar store but in these tough economic times, if 10.00 - 15.00 is too much for your budget right now, consider spending some time at your local shelter. Everyone has a skill they can use in a shelter like:

building maintenance

lawn or yard maintenance

loving cuddles to needy animals

Typing, letter writing, reception

Computer maintenance

Sweeping, cleaning

grooming, nail clipping, bathing

dog walking, cat toy wiggling

Website building

Professional legal skills

Accountant skills

Organize a fundraiser

You don't need to donate huge sums of money or hours and hours of time to make a huge difference in the lives of the unfortunate cats and dogs of the world who just haven't found a loving home yet. All it takes is a little planning. Decide how much time or money you can afford, find your nearest dollar store and then drop off everything or head on over to the animal shelter. Any contribution is welcomed, especially now that the weather is getting colder and more animals are needing to find shelter.

If you are not sure where the nearest shelter is, visit the ASPCA Find a Shelter Page and enter in your state/province/territory or simply enter your city or county along with the words "humane society" or "animal shelter" in a search engine and a list of shelters will come up for you. If you have any other ideas for low cost ways to help animals, please comment below.

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Although you can make donations anytime of year, now is the perfect time to make tax deductible donations to one of these charitable cat and animal organizations before the fiscal year is over. At this time, most charitable organizations are working out their budgets for the upcoming year so any donations of money and donations of time, services or items on a wish list are always welcome.

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Yesterday, I told you about my favorite humane places to shop online where proceeds go toward helping cats and other animals. BUt today, I'd like to tell you about some of the places that can use your tax deductible donation money to continue that work. It benefits everyone, saves you some money to the IRS and it helps cats. It's a win-win!

1. Cat House of the Kings is a no cage, no kill, lifetime cat sanctuary and adoption centre for cats and some dogs. It is completely non profit organization that gets no government or public funding, it relies completely on donations made directly to the cat house on the kings. All donations are tax deductible.

2. Alley Cat Allies is a nationwide advocacy organization for the protection and humane treatment of cats, especially feral cats. There work has helped countless cats over the past 20 years and with continued community support. Make donations of as little as 5.00 to as much as you can afford, you can even donate your old car!

3. Feral Cat Project promotes a trap, neuter, release program and will help you start your own clinic. They work with people who are feeding strays to make the cat's lives a little more comfortable while they continue to live out their days as feral cats. Some cats are adoptable but all of them need donations, time and supplies.

4. ASPCA - The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a large national humane organization founded in 1866. By donating to the ASPCA you are actually helping all cats and animals across the nation. The ASPCA fights against animal cruelty to all animals, not just companion animals. So when you donate, your money is going to support animals of all types.

5. PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Donations to PETA help animals suffering and dying in laboratories, factory farms, fur industry and in inhumane circuses. Become a member, make a monthly or one time donation or get involved by becoming aware of the products you buy and the impact they have on animals.

Tell me about any local organizations that you donate your time, money or supplies to in the comments section below.

Click here for our past posts, our archives have hundreds of helpful cat information posts for cat lovers.  Please subscribe to our RSS feed if you're a cat person that likes cat related information, cat care advice and news.

There are several non profit organizations dedicated to cats and other animals who offer really great gift ideas for the cat lovers on your list. Giving gifts to cat lovers can also improve the life of other cats. Choose from these national organizations or visit your local shelter for gifts and to make donations in honor of the cat lovers in your life.

If you're new here, please consider subscribing to my feed. If you love cats, you'll enjoy the posts we place online every day.  Thanks for visiting!

At this time of year, when it gets a little bit colder and the Holiday season approaches, I start thinking about those less fortunate than myself. That includes the felines of the world who do not have a soft bed, a warm home, healthy food, proper medical care and a loving owner. I know I spoil Neo, special meals on holidays, treats everyday, special play and grooming time most days and special cuddle time every night before bed. But some cats have had a really tough life filled with abandonment, abuse, malnutrition, disease, and a host of other challenges.

Anyone can make the life of these unfortunate cats a little better by making a donation or buying merchandise from these non-profit organizations. Some of my favorite places that do great work with cats are listed below.

Tabby's Place is a cage free cat sanctuary that provides refuge to cats in hopeless situations. Most of the cats who reside at Tabby's Place are from animal shelters who were scheduled for euthanasia. You can sponsor a special needs cat or make a donation in honor of someone.

Rescue Cats of Georgia is an all volunteer organization that has lots of great gifts and 100% of your purchase goes toward helping cats in the facility.

Animal Rescue Site has great gifts for animal lovers and you can click to give free food and care to homeless pets. I have them send me an email (from the hunger site) and I click to give everyday.

Best Friends Animal Society mission statement is No More Homeless Pets in Our Lifetime. Become a member, give a donation on behalf of an animal lover in your life or sponsor an animal.

ASPCA Online Store is always a great choice, unique gifts, huge selection and you know that the ASPCA is always fighting for needy cats and dogs nationwide.

PETA has great gifts from clothes to snacks. You can buy gifts for your pet, for pet lovers or animal lovers in general. They support all types of animals.

If you have favorite online charitable organization, comment below and share your information. I'd also like to hear about your local shelters and their holiday promotions too.

Click here for our past posts, our archives have hundreds of helpful cat information posts for cat lovers.  Please subscribe to our RSS feed if you're a cat person that likes cat related information, cat care advice and news.

When you go away, leave a mouse in the house for your cat! This toy is perfect for cats who have to be left alone for long periods of time. It isn't good for your cat to be left alone, they get bored, lonely and can start getting fat and depressed.

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Mouse in the House is an automated cat toy that comes with a timer that turns on and calls to your cat when you are away. Or you can press a button and the mouse starts moving through the house and making sounds. The toy offers resistance if your cat tries to hold the mouse and shuts off if your cat starts getting too rough with it.

It seems like a perfectly safe toy, and for less than 80.00 you can keep your cat entertained on those long shopping and work days as we near the holidays. Cat Dancer makes several other less expensive toys that are really safe and exciting for your cat.

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I blogged about Christian the Lion and now the story is available on DVD. A heartwarming Holiday gift for anyone. Cat lover or not, everyone will be touched by this remarkable story. Buy the Christian the Lion DVD: Christian The Lion at World's End directly at the Born Free Website.

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The film was originally made on 16 mm film in 1972. It made a brief appearance in U.K. movie theatres and was released on VHS in 80's and on DVD in 2006. The DVD is coded Region 0 so it can be played anywhere in the world.

All proceeds and royalties go directly to the Born Free Foundation so not only are you getting a wonderful story about how this lion was raised from a cub by two very kind men and how they helped him make the transfer to the wilds of Africa, but you are helping to save wild cats and other animals all over the world.

Hollywood might even make this documentary in to a full length feature film! And I've heard rumors that the book, "A Lion Called Christian" will be reprinted in March 2009 - but for now you can download the e-book and find out more about Christian at A Lion Called Christian. and visit the George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust to learn about the man, George Adamson and his great work to preserve animals in Africa.

You can also get the Born Free DVD that documents the life of George Adamason and his work with lions to retrain them to take care of themselves in the wild, and it's sequel, The Lions Are Free "In this film Bill Travers travels back to remote Kenya to find the legendary George Adamson, some of the lions from Born Free and to witness Adamson's struggle to return his man-made pride to a free and natural life."

Click here for our past posts, our archives have hundreds of helpful cat information posts for cat lovers.  Please subscribe to our RSS feed if you're a cat person that likes cat related information, cat care advice and news.

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