Bob and I love animals. LOVE THEM!

So much so that we planned our RTW trip around incredible organizations that support animal interactions and encounters that also help provide better lives for the animals.  We held koalas in Brisbane, fed kangaroos on Kangaroo Island learning about their rehabilitation process, discovered the private seals-only cove at Seal Bay, and walked dogs at a local animal shelter in Nashville.  We try to learn and give everywhere we go, in whatever way we can.

So… Are you still searching for that perfect gift this holiday season? Instead of hitting the malls and fighting the crowds, give a gift that pays it forward to endangered and threaten animals. They need our help and even $25 dollars can feed an entire penguin’s family or increase a bison’s roaming territory.

Here are a few organizations that I love:

The San Diego Zoo– 98% of your money goes directly to improving the lives of these animals. They are also very eco friendly, with zero communication through snail mail, all correspondence is through email, unlike some other charities. (Seriously, we get like 10-20 brochures or fliers a year. The money Bob donated last year went right back into mailers, which just makes me irate.)

National Wildlife Federation– Adopt an ACRE of land! This is amazing. Instead of adopting one animal or care for a few animals, this is putting your money to securing acres of land for bison, big horned sheep, gray wolves and grizzly bears to roam free and without the threat of harm near Yellowstone National Park. And, today, the money that you donates will be doubled!

Adopt a SANCCOB South African Penguin– This foundation rescues, rehabilitates and then releases coastal birds and penguins back into their natural habitat. I would LOVE to volunteer here someday. (Bucket list, anyone?!)

Have you donated or volunteered at an exceptional animal research or conservation group? Share the love about other great animal organizations and discover other armchair voluntourism opportunities.