It's always good to donate to a non-profit organization. It really makes you feel good to know that your $5 will help somewhere in the foundation.

For animal lovers, you may want to consider donating your spare change to your local animal shelter because they typically always need something, whether it's cash donations or supplies. 

If you can't spare a few bucks in change, you don't have to. You can always donate your dog's old collar that doesn't fit him any more, or your cat's old travel crate that she doesn't need. You don't have to donate brand new products to help the animals; just make sure that the products aren't so badly used that they're falling apart. You don't want to donate an old leash that when the dog tugs one good tug, it breaks, or a snap collar that doesn't close properly.

• Pet shampoo
• Bath towels (new or used)
• Paper towels
• Toilet Paper
• Dishwasher soap
• Hand sanitizer
• Liquid hand soap
• bleach (typically the Clorox brand)
• Laundry detergent (powder or liquid)
• Batteries
• Copy paper
• Chew treats
• Dog/cat toys
• Dog/cat food/water bowls
  
• Flea and tick prevention- Capstar, frontline (all sizes)
• Collars
• Leashes
• Lawn hoses
• Crates
• Cat litter
• Small gravel or sand for play areas
• Kiddie swimming pools for the dogs
• Rubber backed rugs to use in crates and kennels
• Canned cat and dog food
• Dry cat and dog food
  
• Pooper scoopers
• Puppy/kitten milk supplements
• Puppy/kitten vitamins
  

Also consider gift cards as a nice donation, if you don't want to give cash or supplies.

• Gas cards are great if shelter uses a van for adoption off premise
• Wal*mart/ SAMS gift cards
• Petsmart/ PetCo gift cards

Some animal rescue groups will have other fundraising tactics, so you may want to check with your local animal shelter(s) to see what other programs they may be involved with to help raise money for the animals.

Some shelters will collected empty printer and copier catridges to send in, as well as old cell phones and cell phone accessories.

You can also check to see if your local shelter(s) will accept your old junk- clothes, gadgets, movies, CDs, toys, and pretty much anything you would normally sell at a yard sell. Some shelters will collect the stuff you don't want anymore and have a yard sell to help raise money.

If you want to help, you don't have to adopt a new pet (although that is great if you have the ability to do so). You can consider some of the options listed here or you can come up with some of your own. And, remember that if you have a spare hour or two, animal shelters are always in need of volunteers.