10 Pet Charities Worth Helping

With so many cat and dog (and other animal) charities to choose from, it can be hard to know where to send your hard-earned cash. We've rounded up some great organizations that will put your donation - no matter how big or small - to good use.

1. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (ASPCA)

The ASPCA, a nation-wide not-for-profit organization, is the oldest humane society in North America and is still one of the largest. The ASPCA's mission as an animal charity is to prevent animal cruelty and the organization has the legal authority to back it up. ASPCA agents can investigate and arrest people for crimes against animals.

They also have community outreach and adoption programs, and provide animal health services. Thanks to both donations and private funding, the ASPCA also offers grants to animal welfare organizations and agencies across the country to aid them in their individual efforts. To make a contribution, go to aspca.org.

2. Dogs for the Deaf

This 33-year-old dog charity places dogs in the houses of hearing impaired and special needs people. Rescued from animal shelters in the Oregon, California, Washington and Idaho areas, these dogs receive medical treatment and microchips, then are professionally trained to assist those in need.

Dogs for the Deaf's programs also include Autism Assistance Dogs for children and families living with autism; Miracle Mutts for those with anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and more; and Program Assistance Dogs that aid those who work with the disabled or challenged. Visit dogsforthedeaf.org to learn more about their programs and make a donation.

3. Foster Parrots, Ltd.

For over 20 years, this pet charity has been dedicated to rescuing and providing sanctuary for unwanted, abused or neglected parrots. In May of 2008, Foster Parrots opened The New England Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary in Hope Valley, Rhode Island, where they are able to provide permanent housing for unadoptable parrots and other exotic animals.

And in 2009 Directors Marc Johnson and Karen Windsor were honored with the MSPCA's 2009 Animal Hall Of Fame "Human Hero Award" for their service. Get involved by visiting fosterparrots.com and making a donation, virtually adopting a parrot of your choice ($50 to $100), or sponsoring an aviary for a whole year ($1,000).

4. Too Many Bunnies

This Los Angeles, California based pet charity and rescue group works with both individuals and animal shelters to find loving homes for domestic rabbits that have been abused, abandoned or neglected. Housed in foster homes, these rabbits are rehabilitated and receive veterinary care before being put up for adoption.

Completely operated by volunteers, Too Many Bunnies relies solely on donations and 100% of these monetary gifts go to helping these animals. The pet charity also strives to educate people about rabbits and their necessary care needs, and even allows families to borrow a bunny to see if he or she will be a good fit before adopting. Visit toomanybunnies.com to volunteer or make a donation and, as the site says, "somebunny will thank you!"

5. Guide Dogs of America

One of America's more notable dog charities, Guide Dogs of America's mission is to provide the blind and visually impaired with a guide dog and companion to increase their independence and mobility. In order to increase the pet charity's success rate, Guide Dogs of America breeds their own dogs - a mix of 70% Labrador Retriever, 15% Golden Retriever, and 15% German Shepherd - and they are cared for by foster families, called Puppy Raisers, in the In-For-Training program until they reach 18-months.

The dogs then enter the Guide Dog Program. The cost to put a dog through the 6-month Guide Dog program is upwards of $21,000, but for as little as $25, you can get a new puppy started in the program with his own leash, collar, ID tag, toy, and food. Nearly 80% of all donations (which they rely on completely for program funding) come from individuals, corporations, and organizations. Visit guidedogsofamerica.org to make a contribution.

6. The Pets for the Elderly Foundation

By supporting this pet charity, you can give a senior citizen a new lease on life.

By partnering with 58 shelters in 30 states to cover the costs of adopting a pet, The Pets for the Elderly Foundation helped match 6,500 animals with people over the age of 60 last year alone. Pets can help people get over the loss of a loved one, depression, and remind them that they are loved and needed, so for the elderly and homeless pets, this charity is a win-win. To make a donation that will help allow even more shelters to participate, go to petsfortheelderly.com.

7. HALO Animal Rescue

HALO, which stands for Helping Animals Live On, is a no-kill pet charity that houses animals most in need. Rather than accept animals from the public, HALO gives dogs and cats that are about to be euthanized at open admission shelters a second chance by providing them with a temporary home at their adoption center facility in Phoenix, Arizona until a permanent one can be found.

Since it was founded in 1994, HALO has aided in the adoption of over 20,000 animals. To make a cash or commodity donation, go to halorescue.org for info about their Angel Club and wish list of things for the shelter.

8. PetSmart Charities

This independent, wide-reaching pet charity partners with over 2,000 animal welfare organizations across the country to create and support programs that save the lives of pets.

PetSmart Charities has Adoption Centers located in PetSmart stores and often hosts fundraisers like PetWalk, a festival and 5-k walk to celebrate pets. Other programs focus on giving relief to pets during natural and manmade disasters and increasing awareness of animal-welfare issues, such as putting an end to euthanasia. To learn about all the ways to donate and get involved, including when PetWalk festival and fundraiser will be coming to a city near you, visit petsmartcharities.org.

9. Millan Foundation

Founded in 2007 by "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan, the Millan Foundation's primary goal is to provide financial aid and educational materials to non-profit shelters across the country in order to assist in the rehabilitation and re-homing of shelter dogs.

The pet charity's Shelter Stars program currently provides any non-profit shelter that wants to enroll with free copies of Cesar Millan's Mastering Leadership DVD series volume 3: Your New Dog & Beyond to hand out to families when they adopt a shelter dog. Another way Millan lends his expertise is through the Mutt-i-grees humane education curriculum, which is distributed in shelters too. The organization also gives grants to non-profit shelters to spay and neuter animals in order to keep the animal population under control. Make a donation or learn more about how to get involved in the charity's upcoming initiatives at millanfoundation.org.

10. The Animal Rescue Site

Not your typical pet charities website, The Animal Rescue Site is an online activism site that helps fund food and care for rescued animals with every purchase or click you make.

For example, the site shows that one $15 ceramic paw print mug is worth 14 bowls of food while a $20 pair of shoes might be worth 28 bowls of food. Instead of making a product purchase you can visit the Gifts that Give More tab to make a monetary donation, for as little as $1, to a specific cause, such as Care for a Special Needs Shelter Pet for a week ($15). There's also a purple "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button at the top of the main page that you can press and 100% of the sponsor money goes to charity. These donations are made by the advertiser that purchased space on the thank you page. Visit theanimalrescuesite.org to contribute your allotted one click per day.