Donations to pet charities

[rdd1952]

Not sure this belongs here but most of the pets that would benefit form these type donations would be household pets like dogs and cats. I also hope this doesn't start a war and get too controversial. Anyway, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, everyone was wanting donations and we were all looking for ways we could help. I feel certain that a vast majority of us gave money to some organization. I was looking at a list of organizations through a link on Yahoo. I saw several pet charities on there like Petsmart Charities among others.

It kind of got me thinking. As much as I love animals and hate to see them suffer or be abused, is it right to give your money to those charities when so many people are in need of food, clothing, shelter, etc.? There were a lot of pets that lost their lives, homes and owners because of Katrina but I have a hard time rationalizing giving money to a pet organization rather than the Red Cross or another relief organization like that who are helping people who literally lost everything - home, job, even members of their family. I mean these are human beings. Is anyone else struggling with this same issue?

 

[Blade118]

i think this topic is a great one
We have to stop the crewlty to cats and dogs

 

[laurasmithuk]

i used to donate money to the RSPCA every month through direct debit in my bank account when i stopped the direct debit they sent me a picture of a dof after being shot and the caption stated "your money could of stopped this" i felt awful but now donate to another animal charity. i also gave money through the disaster commitee to hurricane katrina and also the tsunami

 

[Weaver]

i used to donate money to the RSPCA every month through direct debit in my bank account when i stopped the direct debit they sent me a picture of a dof after being shot and the caption stated "your money could of stopped this" i felt awful but now donate to another animal charity. i also gave money through the disaster commitee to hurricane katrina and also the tsunami

[snapback]909546[/snapback]​

That is real emotional blackmail and whoever sent it to you is a disgrace
If it comes to a choice between donating to famine relief etc and donating to the local cat rescue centre then there is no choice to make for me personally.I abhor animal cruelty but if my money can help save a starving baby in Ethiopia or aid someone who has lost everything in a disaster then thats where it will go

 

[JackDemp528]

Although I didn't donate, only because all of my money and time is donated to the dogs at my shelter up here. We see the same things as down there. And with the 120 dogs that we have, I think they come first.

But if I were to donate, I would donate to the animals. Because I love animals, more than most people. Sorry if that is rude of me. But they're so pure, so loving, so guiltless. They're wonderful things. And if we forget about them, then we might as well forget about humans too.

 

[cheekeyarab]

I think it is better to donate directly to your local centre rather than trusting the organisation to split the money fairly!! There are plenty of foster carers out there who do it all out of their own pocket and would certainly appreciate a dozen tins of pet food on a regular basis.

As for the humans v animals debate - I'd have to go with the local animal centres. I know that is a highly controversial thing to say but it is just my preference - I like to know exactly where my money will be going.

 

[rdd1952]

We always write a check and donate to the local rescue when we're in Petsmart. They have the dog/cat adoption set up in there every weekend. I will have to say that I gave to the Red Cross rather than the animal charities. As much as I love animals, I just feel that people have to come first.

 

[SPLiSH]

laurasmithuk - Oh, that's awful! You poor thing, that was horrid of them. I know they were doing it for a good cause but you have helped them and that's a poor way to repay you. I would have been really distraught, I've seen a cat killed by a car once and burst into tears and had to sit down.

As for the animal versus human debate, I would rather donate money to animal charities. I know that may sound cruel when so many people lost their lives, but the vast majority of citizens leap up and say 'Oh no, let's help those poor people!' Which is very kind, but since there are so many people donating to human charities, I feel the animals need some support. Remember, a human can make an SOS signal or call for help; an animal is silent and in the hustle and bustle of tragedy, they often get forgotten.

 

[Angel Lady]

Although I didn't donate, only because all of my money and time is donated to the dogs at my shelter up here. We see the same things as down there. And with the 120 dogs that we have, I think they come first.

But if I were to donate, I would donate to the animals. Because I love animals, more than most people. Sorry if that is rude of me. But they're so pure, so loving, so guiltless. They're wonderful things. And if we forget about them, then we might as well forget about humans too.

[snapback]909651[/snapback]​

I dont think that sounds rude of you at all. A animals love is pure and they have nothing but love to offer anyone.Most people I know dont give a big hoot whether you live or die, I am glad this thread was started. I will start looking for links to add here for people to donate money for all the homeless animals that made it through that horrible storm and thier owner didnt.

 

[rdd1952]

Just as a side note, I just read on Yahoo that in the 3 weeks since Katrina hit, Americans had donated over $1 billion to organizations for Katrina relief. $762.5 million of that was to the Red Cross. They say that donations could reach $2 billion before it is over. To compare that, the Red Cross only received about $173 million in the same time frame after the tsunami last year.

 

[Angel Lady]

Here is one link for someone to donate. If anyone else can find anymore links please feel free to post them.
http/www.sdhumane.org/whoweare/pressroom.cfm

 

[Angel Lady]

Here is another one.
http/www.suzanenorthrop.com/forums/read....i=38938&t=38938

 

[rdd1952]

Network For Good has an enormous list of charitable organizations. Scroll down toward the middle of the page and you will find the animal organizations. I think I counted 18 of them. I'm not familiar with many of them so you may want to do a little research before donating just to make sure they are on the up and up and not some psycho group.

 

[tekknocolor]

rdd1952:

I completely see where you're coming from and do join you in the same dilemma, but also know what it's like to have family in those areas as well. What I don't agree with is that you are making the conscious choice between one or the other. Why not donate to both? Why not split your overall donation and send it both ways? It doesn't have to be as cut and dry or black and white that both aspects wouldn't be grateful that you've even taken them into consideration. I've had no problems donating to both types of charities. Then again, that's me... Anyway, doing it this way doesn't leave you feeling guilty and everyone pretty much breaks even and receives some help. Anyway, it's really nice that you're trying

 

[rdd1952]

What I don't agree with is that you are making the conscious choice between one or the other. Why not donate to both? Why not split your overall donation and send it both ways?

[snapback]912514[/snapback]​

I have considered giving to both but still end up at the same place. I guess the question should be "if you only have a set amount that you can give, which needs it more"? It's just something that I have struggled with. In my case, I can make my donation to The Red Cross go further since my company is matching all donations. I felt that I had to give the maximum I could there since it would be a double gift so to speak.

Don't get me wrong, I don't fault anyone who gives to the pet charities over the regular charities. It's just something that I have struggled with. I have given to the local animal rescue and also to the Petsmart charities on numerous occasions. I guess it's just this situation is a little different. Unfortunately, with Rita being upgraded to a hurricane today, there may be more need for giving in the very near future.