Some of the best known animal charities in the UK are dedicated to the vital work of helping, nuturing and rehoming pet animals that often through no fault of their own, cannot look after themselves or be looked after. For most people watching 'Animal Hospital' or Pet Rescue' is why they want to help, and that's what we mostly think about, charities that take in 'unwanted' pets and place them in foster homes until a permanent home can be found for them. It's not just dogs or cats either, small pets are rescued like hamsters, gerbils and other unwanted small rodents and re-homed (even the unfriendly ones). If you are unable to care for your pet for whatever reason, animal charities can help. They also desperately need foster homes for pets whilst a permanent home is found for them.

But it's not just about rescuing pets whose owners have let them down. Some of the animal welfare issues currently being dealt with by animal charities include: intensive animal farming, inhumane slaughtering, hunting, the exotic pet trade, dog fighting, international animal cruelty/welfare problems and the overpopulation of domestic animals. Animal charities need to educate people and are always in need funds to do that so why not give a gift that helps an animal charity such as the WWF.

You can help the vital work of the WWF by becoming a member from as little as £3 a month. Just click the banner on the left above for details. Or click the banner on the right above to visit their shop!

Animal charities rely on voluntary donations and fundraisers, charity balls, television advertisements and stickers are just a few of the ways that people donate money to animal charities. Even a few pounds can help care for the animals that need help. For some animals, animal charities can make the difference between a species surviving or disappearing for good. All they need is your money, and giving a gift to someone is an easy way to help. A really nice option is to adopt an animal with WWF, you can donate and be informed of what your money is achieving, or pay for someone you love to adopt instead. It's a great gift for someone who loves animals! And it's not just tigers you can adopt, click on the banner on the right to see how you can save an animal today!

For 25 years WSPA, The World Society for the Protection of Animals, has travelled to the farthest flung reaches of the planet in the name of animal welfare.

WSPA's vision is of a world where animal welfare matters, and animal cruelty ends. WSPA has been promoting animal welfare for more than 25 years. Our work is concentrated in regions of the world where few, if any, measures exist to protect animals.

WSPA's work is focused on four priority animal welfare areas:

• Companion animals - responsible pet ownership, humane stray management and cruelty prevention
• Commercial exploitation of wildlife - intensive farming and the cruel management and killing of wild animals for food or by-products
• Farm animals - intensive farming, long distance transport and slaughter of animals for food
• Disaster management - providing care to animals suffering as a result of man-made or natural disasters, and thereby protecting people's livelihoods

Today, their presence in more than 140 countries is testament to their commitment to end all forms of animal suffering and cruelty. WSPA have offices in the UK, Tanzania, Thailand, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand and USA.

Click the banner above to join

Pet education should start at an early age, and we don't just mean dog obedience classes. It's necessary for pet owners to learn more about their pets, and many animal charities can assist with this. If you know cats, you'll know they are pretty independent, and are always able to get themselves into scrapes, even the fit young ones. It's when they are not so young and fit that the owners may lose interest.

If you have a dog, it's a must-do to indenti-chip them, and some charities offer this service. So if your dog is lost, escapes or is stolen with a microchip fitted you will be contacted as soon as your pet is found. There are over 3,000 scanners in use all over the country, which can read the unique code stored in the microchip, and then it's a matter of looking up the owner details stored on the PetLog database. Of course it's not just dogs, cat owners should take this vital and cheap step as well.