animal shelters

I certainly remember when Oprah lost her beloved Sophie in 2008, prompting a special on puppy mills and a vow to adopt her next dog. Well, nearly a year later, she's made good on her word as an eight-week-old, blond-colored Cocker Spaniel joined her furry family on Sunday.Lisa Nowak, a rep for PAWS Chicago, confirmed to Usmagazine.com that Oprah fell in love with the lil pup – named Amanda by staffers – and was excited to bring the baby home. Not only did she keep that promise, she also has donated money in Sophie's name for a room at the no-kill shelter.

See more images of the state-of-the-art Lincoln Park center that aims to find homes for more than 3,000 homeless pets (!) this year when you read more

I've yet to get an iPhone, despite all the cool things geek's told me so far but this game's high on my list if I do. After all, ShiveringKittens looked totally adoro even before the big fundraising announcement yesterday.

GiantCrayon Games has joined with the ASPCA to raise money for animals with a promotion during March and April – for every game purchased on iTunes ($3), the company will donate $1 to the ASPCA. From what I can tell it's like cat Tetris where you free adorable kittens from the icy bottom, but check out a video of the game in action when you read more

Instead of receiving things you don't want or don't really need, ask guests to make a donation to a shelter or wildlife fund of your choice in lieu of birthday presents or wedding/baby shower registries. Simply choose an organization such as the ASPCA or Humane Society or even the location where you adopted your own precious pal.

My best friend did this for her wedding, requesting donations to the Paw'd Squad, where they adopted a beloved pit bull, Baby. Some rescue groups, such as this one, already have PayPal links set up – simply tell your guests what name to memo the donation with and they're good to go.
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Do you have something you could go without? Even if you can't sacrifice your daily caffeine fix, think about other consistent things you spend money on. For me, that meant deciding I don't really need a daily, afternoon frozen yogurt break. Whether you say no to a second cup of coffee, cocktails or one less meal out, take the extra money and put it aside. Save it up, then use it to put food in the mouths of needy pets at a shelter near you. I bet even my pals Fit and Savvy would approve of this!

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Next up, let's focus on a way to Give Back something you love – Have any passions you could share with your local shelter, animal care and control, humane society or rescue? Say, for example, you tried to find volunteer or donation information on their website . . . only to realize that they don't have one. Here are a couple talents you could use to help them get the word out:

• Web designers: Offer to help improve or set up a website for needy shelters. PS, it's easier than ever to get them started using our very own OnSugar platform.

Find more suggestions when you read more

Times are tight and it's important to know where your dollars are going! Not that I'm discouraging cash, credit card, or check donations to reputable sites, sometimes you just want to help the shelter down the street, not the nationwide organization.

If you're unsure of your local facility's current (or future) needs, consider a gift card or certificate to local pet supply or grocery stores or even office supply or home improvement chains. While many post specific, evergreen requests, most any will be able to use this gift to buy exactly what's topping their list at any given time, taking out the guesswork, and leaving your good deed in their hands.

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As much as I adore my pooch, I've got some love to share. Even though there's no room in my home for another pet, I still want to get involved (especially since it's Adopt a Shelter Dog Month). Getting started is definitely the hardest part . . . but I found a great resource to help me do just that!
Visit Pets 911 to search for a local organization that needs help. The site tracks details about volunteering, fostering, and adoption opportunities by zip code. Once you find a match, give them a call or stop in to donate your time and services. Even if you can't walk out with a furry friend, I guarantee you'll leave with a fuzzy feeling inside.

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Although, Torre Argentina is best known as the section of ancient Rome where Julius Caesar was murdered by Brutus (“Et tu, Brute?"), the archaeological ruins now host hundreds of stray cats. A Sugar staffer recently visited Italy's Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary and made this great video – tune in and learn all about these felines!

Thankfully, there were improved plans in place before the recent hurricanes hit, but I'm reminded that plenty of pets still need help in the storms' aftermath. Shelters including the Houston Humane Society and the Galveston Island Humane Society are working around the clock to photograph all the arriving animals to help keep track of the pets, and locate their owners. Much of the area is still without running water, electricity or gas . . . but the stray and injured animals keep on coming!

In addition to accepting monetary donations online, if you're local to these areas (or any place affected by the storms), don't be shy about stopping in to volunteer or bring by some much-appreciated goods. To see the items on the shelter's wish list, read more

While compassion causes many people to put out food dishes for animals roaming loose, logic makes others think twice about inviting (possibly diseased) strays to the area. Even if you wouldn't pick up one of these pets on the side of the road, what's your take on feeding them – does this good deed outweigh the risky results?
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