The holiday season is in full swing, and here are some ways that you can help others, help animals, and even help yourself with a free gift.
To Give and To Receive
Innovacyn, Inc., the parent company of the antimicrobial wound cleanser Vetericyn, is "giving back" this year for people who donate to support veterinary aid around the world through World Vets.
World Vets is a volunteer organization consisting of veterinary professionals, animal lovers and world travelers who assist animals and people in 34 countries around the world. From the World Vets web site:
"World Vets is a non-government organization (NGO) providing veterinary aid around the globe in collaboration with animal advocacy groups, foreign governments, US and foreign military groups and veterinary professionals abroad. Our work spans 34 countries and 6 continents and addresses not only veterinary issues, but also human health issues impacted by zoonotic diseases in developing countries. World Vets is a 501c3 nonprofit organization."
This holiday season, for every donation of $50 or more, Innovacyn will send you a free 8 oz bottle of Vetericyn, valued at $28. Learn more about this project and donate on the World Vets / Vetericyn information page.
I have used this product, and it works very well. I love that it is completely non-toxic and doesn't sting upon application. Wounds heal up very quickly using Vetericyn. This is a great way to help animals around the world and at home.
A Click to Help Animals
Heska, a company that manufactures a variety of veterinary medical products, is awarding $25,000 to a veterinary organization making a difference helping animals in the Heska Inspiration in Action contest. The second place award is $5,000. This award is voted on by the public. The five finalists have been selected, and the voting is open until December 18th.
Your vote in the 2011 Heska Inspiration in Action contest will help these worthy organizations help animals in the US and around the world.
Last year's winner of this award was World Vets. On the award blog, Cathy King DVM Ph. CEO of World Vets wrote: "Last year World Vets was one of the winners of Heska Corporations Inspiration in Action Contest which helped provide equipment and supplies for our disaster relief program. Earlier this year, World Vets was one of the first international veterinary aid organizations to arrive in Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami. With disasters happening so frequently these days, there is an extremely high demand for our services especially for animals in developing countries that sometimes have no one to look out for their safety."
On a related note, a click of the mouse will feed shelter animals at The Animal Rescue Site and Free Kibble.
More Last Minute Ideas
Animal shelters always need volunteers to help care for animals, assist with adoptions and fostering, and even to help pet, socialize and exercise animals waiting for adoptions. I know it is hard, and I worried about becoming "too attached," but give it a try, remembering that you are definitely helping an animal be more ready for adoption into their forever home.
This was what I focused on and how our family fostered Hammer the Greyhound until he found a great forever home. And for full disclosure, we later failed fostering with Purl, but honestly, we were quietly searching for another dog, so that doesn't count does it?
Still Time to Shop
I know this is true, because I am the Ultimate Procrastinator. There are some great deals still to be had, and many vendors are offering free shipping. Here are some last minute gift ideas for pets and their people.
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Photo: Argos the Reindeer / Janet Tobiassen Crosby DVM
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