Giving Tuesday Ideas that Save Animals

Thanksgiving flew by, Black Friday felt like a split second, and Cyber Monday was over in the blink of an eye. The end of the year is officially here and now that we know exactly what we’re grateful for and spent a bunch on gifts for our loved ones, Giving Tuesday is here to remind us to also help others. Today is all about giving and doing something for those in need.

There are plenty of ways you can show your philanthropic side – and many causes you can support, though we’re especially fond of those that help homeless animals. A lot of people choose to donate to their favorite non-profit, but there are a lot of other ways you can give back. No matter how you choose to participate, your kind acts make a difference.

We’ve put together simple ways you can show up on Giving Tuesday (some of which don’t even require spending any money).

 Share a Pet


Imagine what a gift it would be to help a pet find a forever home for the holidays! Head to Adopt-a-Pet.com, search adoptable pets in your area, find one you’d like to share, and click the Facebook or Twitter icon in the middle of the page to post to your social media. You can also screenshot a pet photo and share to Instagram or IG stories. This year your share will do more than help advertise a specific pet, your quick upload could provide a shelter or rescue with much needed moolah! We’ve teamed up with our sister brand Wisdom Panel for a Giving Tuesday Share-a-Thon. All you have to do is tag @adoptapetcom and @wisdompanel when you share a pet. The Wisdom Panel team will pick one winner at random and donate $5,000 to the organization caring for the pet they shared. (Bonus: the winner will also get a free pet DNA test). Start searching for pets to share here.

 Adopt or Foster a Pet

There are little things more rewarding than saving a life, and the cute faces and snuggles pets provide certainly are an easy sell. If you have the money and time to take in a companion animal, adopting and/or fostering will certainly make a difference on an individual level. Signing up to foster also relieves some of the stress animals go through when they’re in a shelter environment and allows them to relax while they wait for their forever homes. Every adopted or fostered pet also helps shelters and rescues open up space for more pets in need.

 Donate


Animal welfare organizations can always benefit from donations, whether it’s a monetary contribution or in-kind donations such as towels, blankets, and newspapers, shelters and rescues could use your help. You can find your favorite organization’s donate page on their website or search for local shelters near you here and call ahead to ask what products they may need. If you’re donating specific items you can coordinate drop off to a facility or purchase products through an organization’s Wish List!

Lending a helping hand doesn’t have to be time consuming or difficult! With these 3 simple ideas, you’ll be making the world a better place for homeless pets sooner than you thought was possible.

Enjoy the Howlidays with These Awesome Gifts

dog in Christmas hat

Is there a better time of year to spoil your loved ones than the holidays? You may have already grabbed some presents for the humans in your life, but why not make it a howliday season?! 

Let’s face it, our pets like to be included in everything we do, so why not give them a gift and have them join in the celebrations. Whether you have a super special pup, cat, teeny tiny critter, or horse in your life, there’s something out there for everyone. We’re here to make your search for the right gift easy with our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide. We even threw in some pet themed items for the pet-loving humans in your life (or to treat yourself and really show off how much you love your pets). Many of the gifts on our list are available through Chewy, which gives a portion of your first purchase to Adopt-a-Pet.com. Not only will you be making pets and pet lovers happy with these gifts, you’ll be helping us get more pets home for the holidays. That makes you a Holiday Hero! Check out our gift guide and get shopping now! 

Gifts for Dogs

Gifts for Cats

Multi Species Gifts

Gifts for Pet Parents

Gifts for Small Pets

Gifts for Horses

dog with reindeer ears
Unwrap a New Way to Care for Your Pet with Whistle

Whistle smart devices track and translate pet health, behavior, activity, and location. So you can discover new ways to care for your favorite dog. Now 30% off with a 1-or-2-year subscription with code ADOPT30

dog wearing Whistle

No More Mysteries in this House

Your pup might not care that he’s 28% Labrador, is predisposed to snacking, and gets his curly coat from his grandma, but you should. The more you know about your dog’s genetics, the better you can customize their care. Wisdom Panel ™ Dog DNA tests screen for 350+ breeds and include up to 210 health tests. The detailed report also reveals insights into your dog’s behavior and appearance. Plus, with the brand new relative feature, you’ll be able to find your dog’s genetic family, compare DNA results, view photos, and more.

dog getting DNA results
Give Them a Little Bit of Everything
Make your dog’s holidays merry and bright with a limited-edition Goody Box. This themed box is loaded with exciting seasonal swag to fill your dog with holiday spirit—and that’s not to mention the savings of up to 35%! But hurry—these limited-edition boxes are going fast!


 Gotta Have Fresh Breath for that Mistletoe Kiss

This howl-iday season, give your pal a mouthwatering treat that boosts his dental health! Greenies Seasonal Gingerbread Flavor Dental Dog Treats are crafted with all-natural ingredients along with vitamins, minerals and nutrients and have a yummy gingerbread flavor. These uniquely shaped snacks are designed to control and remove disease-causing plaque and tartar to help put an end to doggie breath. Each tasty chew is easy to digest thanks to the highly soluble ingredients and they are formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition for your adult dog. Keep the cuddles coming and give your holiday hound the dental health he deserves with these veterinarian-recommended dental treats!

Step Aside Rudolph!

Your pal can sleigh the holiday look with this headband and collar set. Plush antlers and plaid are all the rage in the North Pole. To complete the look, this holiday fashion ensemble includes a matching plaid collar with built-in jingly bells.

A Winter Wonderland in Your Dog’s Mouth

Welcome winter with a snowflake chew toy that will keep your pup gnawing away through the season. The durable, long-lasting nylon material stands up to lots of chewing and is infused with pup-preferred peanut butter flavor to keep your dog coming back again and again. But all those morning, noon and night chewing sessions aren’t just a bit of fun for your pup! Chew toys like this one can help support your dog’s healthy teeth and gums while they gnaw, so they provide a positive, productive outlet along with a chewing experience dogs like yours crave.

Frisco Dog Snowflake Chew Toy

Let Him Drift Off By the Fireplace in Style

If your furry friend is the ultimate snuggle bug, they’ll love cozying up in the Frisco Eyelash Round Dog and Cat Bed. The round design is ideal for pets who love curling up into a ball, while the long faux fur surrounds them to create a warm and comforting environment. The bolstered edges are a supportive yet soft spot for your pal to rest their furry head. It’s a chic complement to any home decor and machine washable too, so you never have to worry about interrupting your best friend’s sleep cycle.

Frisco Eyelash Cat & Dog Bolster Bed

The Holidays are for Dancing Not Scratching

With its innovative delivery system, the Seresto 8 Month Flea & Tick Collar for Large Dogs & Puppies offers a breakthrough in tick and flea control for your precious pup. This veterinarian-recommended treatment is specifically formulated to repel and kill fleas and ticks through contact with no painful biting required. Inside the unique polymer matrix of this easy-to-use, non-greasy, odorless collar are two active ingredients: imidacloprid to control flea infestations, and flumethrin to repel and kill ticks. These ingredients work together to provide dual-action protection against these parasitic pests for eight continuous months!


 

Curious About Your Cat?

Cats are good at playing it cool. Unlock their secrets with Wisdom Panel™ Complete for Cats—the world’s most comprehensive cat DNA test. Identify breed mix down to 1%, screen for genetic health risks, and get insights into personality, behavior, and nutritional needs. An in-depth understanding of your cat will help you tailor care to their one-of-a-kind characteristics.

Make Her Feel Meowy and Bright

Make your cat’s holidays merry and bright with a limited-edition Goody Box. This themed box is loaded with exciting seasonal swag to fill your kitty with holiday spirit—and that’s not to mention the savings of up to 40%! But hurry—these limited-edition boxes are going fast!

Chewy Goody box for cats

Why Did the Kitty Cross the Bridge?

Because you gave her the best gift! Your feline friends will have fun playing on CatastrophiCreations Wall-Mounted Wooden Cat Bridge! This piece is purr-fect for multi-cat households because it can help resolve behavioral and territorial problems by providing more space for your cats to explore. The bridge can be used for staying on higher ground, as a napping spot, or you can add it to another CatastrophiCreations setup, so your kitty can cross over to other surfaces. This bridge mounts beautifully on the wall, giving the illusion that it’s floating.

A Holiday Meal in a Bag

Your feline friend is going to go wild once she feasts her eyes on these Temptations Holiday Dinner Turkey & Sweet Potato Flavor Cat Treats! These purr-worthy rewards contain less than 2 calories per treat and feature both crunchy and soft textures for the irresistible combination cats love. The resealable pouch helps keep kitties out and fur-eshness in, ensuring these goodies stay extra delicious for days to come. With an irresistible turkey and sweet potato flavor, these rewards make the paw-fect holiday treat for your favorite feline friend!

She’s Tracking With You

If there’s one thing a cat loves, it’s batting and clawing at toys on tracks! This cat tracks toy has not one, not two, but three tracks, each with its own rolling ball inside for your cat to bat and chase around the base. Plus, it comes with two interchangeable top toys on springy sticks with two different toys they’ll love to claw and chase as they bounce around on top of the base.

Fleas and Ticks are Not Invited to Dinner

Advantage® II offers comprehensive flea prevention for cats ranging from kittens, ages 8 weeks of age, weighing 2-5 lbs, up to large cats, weighing over 9 lbs. Advantage® II is easy to apply, fragrance free and offers 30 days of flea protection. That’s something you can “ho, ho, ho” about.


 

dog licking cat

No Ugly Sweaters for These Paws

Fair isle fleece. Is there a more classic holiday pattern? Get your dog a stylish holiday hoodie from Frisco. This pullover-style pet hoodie slips easily over your dog’s head, so it’s simple to put on and it has a small hook-and-loop fastener at the neck for a snug fit. This 100% polyester hoodie has a bright, fair isle print and features a soft, cozy, fleece lining inside to keep them super warm when they need it. Whether you’re dressing up for a furry photo op, a holiday paw-ty or a simple everyday walk, this is the holiday hoodie for your fur friend this winter!

cat and dog in fleece sweater

Remind Them That You’re Always There

With Furbo Dog Camera, your dog will feel like you’re there, even when you’re not! This camera not only lets you see and talk to your canine companion, but it also allows you to toss treats to him when you’re not home. Used by over 5,000 vets and professional dog trainers, this camera is designed to help keep your pup safe and happy. It has night vision, a 160-degree wide-angle view day and night, a barking alert that detects when your dog is barking and can record videos!

Stay Hydrated for the Holiday

Your curious companion will love staying hydrated when you add the Miaustore Dog & Cat Water Fountain to your home! Its’ stylish, functional design features three towers and a large base, giving pets eight drinking areas. The ceramic fountain’s running water encourages furry friends to drink more. Pet parents are also sure to appreciate that it requires no filter and is conveniently dishwasher safe. Both you and your furkid will enjoy this elegant, intriguing fountain from Miaustore!

Functional and Stylish is the Way to Go

For a treat storage solution as elegant as the rest of your home décor, reach for this white ceramic treat jar featuring a classic, Calacatta-esque marble print that will look great in your home. With a wooden lid to add some texture on top and help keep their treats fresh, this jar brings just the right amount of personality to treat storage for stylish pet parents.


man and woman petting dog

Wear Them on You Sleeve Mug

Your best fur friend is one of a kind, so you should have a one-of-a-kind mug to show your love for them! This ceramic mug is customizable with a photo of your pet. Plus, they make great gifts for your favorite pet parent friend. Everyone will be asking “who’s that cute doggy?” while you sip from your mug! Whatever beverage you start your day with, you’re sure to start some conversations about your furry companions with this one-of-a-kind mug.

cat and dog mugs

A Toast To Your Pups and Kittens

What could be more refreshing than enjoying your favorite beverage from a double-walled, stainless-steel tumbler that’s personalized with your pet? Customize it with a photo of your pup or kitty and your pet’s name or a cute phrase. It’ll help keep your drinks cold or warm while showing off the coolest pet around. Whatever you’re sipping, this tumbler is sure to get everyone talking.

Keep Your Paws Clean AND Festive

Add the necessary touch of festive flair to the entrance of your home with the Pearhead Happy Howlidays Doormat. Wipe your paws on this absolutely adorable mat before strutting into your home—it’s sure to make the essential splash for your overall holiday decor. With a silly dog-themed illustration, “Happy Howlidays” in script, and backed with anti-slip rubber, this mat is a welcome addition to any entrance.

If You Never Want Them to Leave Your Side

Look no further for the warmest of fuzzies! This personalizable blanket lets you show off your pet’s cuteness whenever it’s time to bundle up. With a big photo of your pet on one side and super cozy sherpa material on the other, this is the perfect blanket when you want to wrap yourself in warm memories of your precious pet. Whether you grab one for you or for another pet lover on your list, this blanket is sure to be a holiday hit.

Get a Clearer View of Your Adorable Fur Babes with These Stylish Glasses

Not only are Fetch Eyewear’s glasses incredibly stylish, they were also created solely to support The Pixie Project, a dog and cat rescue in Portland, Oregon. 100% of the profits (yes, 100%!) from these eyeglasses, reading glasses, and sunglasses (probably your best gifting option), are donated to help homeless animal! If you’re unsure about gifting glasses, Fetch gives you the option of ordering five pairs to try at home!

Match Up Your Paws

Rock your way into the paw-lidays by rocking the Pearhead Human & Dog Tree Sock Set with your best fur-iend! What’s the coziest paw-ssible way to snuggle up to your best furry friend during the holidays? With matching pairs of socks, of course! There are two for you and four for your pet, each with a soft non-slip grip and festive red and green block design. Make Christmas morning a little more comfy by giving this to the pet lover in your life!

Get a Clearer View of Your Adorable Fur Babes with These Stylish Glasses

Not only are Fetch Eyewear’s glasses incredibly stylish, they were also created solely to support The Pixie Project, a dog and cat rescue in Portland, Oregon. 100% of the profits (yes, 100%!) from these eyeglasses, reading glasses, and sunglasses (probably your best gifting option), are donated to help homeless animal! If you’re unsure about gifting glasses, Fetch gives you the option of ordering five pairs to try at home!

The Purrfect Accessory

Animal Jewerly can easily go from adorable to cheesy, but you won’t get that with The Purrfect Accessory. The collection created by established jewelry designer Alissa Wrenn Smith, is both charitable and chic! Inspired by her own foster cats and kittens, Alissa launched The Purrfect Accessory to raise funds (15% of all sales) for animal rescues. Most items are cat themed, but if you want to gift to a dog owner and still support the cause, The Pawfect Cuff is pretty species-neutral

 

Dogs and Chocolate? Sign Me Up!

You can rarely go wrong with chocolate, and Rescue Chocolate makes it even more fool proof. They offer a variety of chocolate products (containing zero animal products!) and 100% of profits are donated to animal rescues! Choose from adorably named treats like Foster-iffic Peppermint, Off The Chain Chia, and Peanut Butter Pit Bulls. If anyone on your list has a sweet tooth and a sweet heart, Rescue Chocolate is the gift for them.

Look Good and Feel Good Giving Back

If you have a beauty lover in your life this is the gift for them. Petit Vour is an online beauty and fashion brand known best for their vegan, cruelty-free Beauty Boxes. This year, they’re donating 15%* from all of their beauty boxes to Austin Pets Alive!


Is There Anything Cuter Than a Tiny Friend in a Tiny Outfit?

Dress your small pet for the festivities with this ruffle collar! It’s made of soft poly material with a classic red-and-green plaid pattern and silver tinsel pom-poms attached to the points. It’s the perfect, simple outfit for holiday parties or festive photo ops. Just put it on with the easy hook-and-loop fasteners and watch your guinea pig transform into a holiday party animal.

Small Body, Giant Sweet Tooth

Make your furry friend’s Christmas merry and bright with Naturals by Rosewood Christmas Variety Pack Small Animal Treats! This collection contains three holiday goodies—a crisp and crunchy Festive Fruit tree, a Christmas Cookie Salad and 2-piece Meadow Treat Sticks. The parsley-based Festive Fruit Tree is finished with irresistible mountain bilberries, apple and tasty coconut and for an added challenge, you can also hang the tree! The Christmas Cookie Salad consists of an herbal mix, including fibrous oat, alfalfa and tasty herbs, along with cranberry, apple and pumpkin—scatter it in a bowl or in your pet’s hay and tell her to keep an eye out for one of the hidden Christmas cookies! Finally, the Meadow Treat Sticks are rich with meadow hay and herbs and are topped with apple and coconut. All three treats are 100% natural and make the paw-fect Christmas gift for guinea pigs, rabbits, chinchillas, degus, hamsters and gerbils.

Swim in Festive Waters

Bring some holiday cheer to your aquarium this year with the Penn-Plax Holiday Medium Aquatic Resin Bundle! This bundle includes 5 resin pieces—a holiday elf, a holiday speedboat, a holiday dinosaur, a holiday Santa in a floatie and a snowman. Each piece is made of 100% safe resin and is easy to clean—simply rinse with fresh water and wipe. Whether you want to add them to your aquarium, use them as desk accessories or just as holiday décor around the house, this bundle is sure to make the season merry and bright!

Birdy Want a Ball Toy?

Searching for a toy your birdie will flock to? Caitec Paradise Crunch & Ding Bird Toy has a variety of textures to keep his interest. Colorful crunchy balls hang on a link chain with a bell at the bottom that gives a delightful ding to inspire him to keep playing. It also helps encourage preening and beak conditioning, natural behaviors that help keep him healthy. As he spends his time discovering each angle of this toy, he’ll be too busy to get into trouble. Hanging and rearranging is a cinch with the sturdy stainless steel chain and pear clip.

Stimulate Your Smallest Smarty Pants

Keep game time going with the Oxbow Enriched Life Play Garden Small Animal Toy. This puzzle toy for guinea pigs and rabbits features a fun, garden-themed design for your fuzzy fellow. It is crafted with removable pieces for your pet pal to play with all day long—so the fun never has to stop! This guinea pig and rabbit chew toy is constructed using natural, 100% pet-safe materials and food-safe colors for the safety of your cuddly companion. It is engineered to encourage and support his natural instincts to explore, so he’ll never be bored.

Oxbow Enriched Life Play Garden Small Animal Toy


horse ornament

For Santa’s Largest Elf

Celebrate the holidays while you trot with your equine by wearing the Tough-1 Elf Hat Helmet Cover. This hat is festively fashionable with green and red felt with white pom-poms, and designed to fit over most helmets and western hats. It’s perfect for holiday parades, clubs, pony rides, costume classes and Christmas photos with your equine friend. Make a splash at events, on social media or on printed Christmas cards for your loved ones. Best of all, it can be mixed and matched with the rest of Tough-1’s holiday line, which is filled with separately-sold pieces, so you can customize your horse’s look and celebrate in a style all your own.

It’s Not Winter Unless There’s Peppermint

Your horse will whinny and nicker for the Stud Muffins Variety Flavor Horse Treats. Made 100 percent by hand with love and devotion, these tasty and nutritious treats are the ultimate reward, whether you have one horse or an entire stable. The recipe starts with good-for-them grains like wheat, oats, barely and corn, and then it’s fortified with flaxseed and other wholesome ingredients—and it’s all to make sure they’re as healthy as they are enjoyable. Perfect for training and picky eaters, horses go crazy for them!

Mmmm That’s Salty

Horsemen’s Pride Salt on a Rope Horse Treat helps reduce boredom while giving your horse the nutrients she needs. This horse treat features pure Himalayan salt that is incredibly dense to resist breakage from biting, making it last much longer than softer salt snacks. This beneficial treat helps your horse meet her sodium and chloride requirements for overall health—important year round, but especially when the weather warms up. Horsemen’s Pride Salt on a Rope Horse Treat will keep your galloping friend healthy, happy and satisfied.

A Horse’s Version of a Peppermint Patty

Pony up the good stuff with Buckeye Nutrition All Natural Peppermint Bits Horse Treats. Specially crafted for horses of all ages, these treats are a tasty way to reward your horse after a day of happy trails. Made with natural peppermint oil for an enticing flavor, these all-natural treats are free of additives, preservatives, and artificial flavorings. And with zero added sugar, it’s easily digestible and perfectly nutritious. Plus, the bag is designed with a handy reseal to keep them fresh.

Buckeye peppermint treat, holiday gift guide