Animal Charities, Welfare groups and Rescue Centres work tirelessly in an attempt to cope with the increasing acts of cruelty and abandonment on animals. There are many such charities in the UK and Abroad, and of course all of them need your help.

HILLLSIDE ANIMAL SANCTUARY

Hillside Animal Sanctuary is such a charity. It has been working hard in the UK since 1995, and is now in desperate need of your help. Hillside Animal Sanctuary works tirelessly in an attempt to protect and rescue animals. These are often farm animals. Here is what Hillside say:-

"Hillside Animal Sanctuary was founded in 1995 to help and campaign for animals in need' and most importantly, to bring public awareness to the millions of animals suffering every day in the intensive factory farming industry. Although at Hillside we have given sanctuary to 300 horses, ponies and donkeys, most of our residents have been rescued from the farming industry."

Having had rescue dogs sharing my home, on and off for what seems a lifetime, animal welfare has always been a high priority for me. In the past I have sent donations to Hillside Animal Sanctuary and bought gifts from their online shop.

It was therefore sad to receive a letter from Hillside recently asking for urgent donations. With the credit crunch starting to bite in England Hillside's funds have been disappearing fast. Legacies from Last Will and Testaments have dropped in value, or also disappeared with house prices plummeting.

With all the doom and gloom financially this is something that most of us forget about. Of course all charities are worthy, deserve support and are probably struggling just now. However, if you support animal welfare please see if you can send even a small donation to this charity or perhaps by a gift.

RSPCA

Of course the traditional animal rescue and welfare group in the UK is the RSPCA, Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Our local RSPCA centre has a constant struggle to keep its head above water and survive. Many dog owners in particular are finding that they can no longer afford to keep their pets and of course, for some, this also gives them an easy excuse to part with their animal.

HDRS

HDRS, Hessle Dog Rescue Service is a local rescue charity which, although small, rescues and helps re-home many dogs as an ongoing process. They have only recently created an online presence and previously have relied on local events, a market stall, donations and bequests to keep them afloat. In the last couple of years they have opened a local charity shop which sells mainly second-hand goods. This has been very successful for them. My two dogs came via HDRS and so this charity is very close to my heart. Their volunteers spend a lot of their time helping sick and maltreated animals recover and then finding a suitable home for these animals.

PDSA

The PDSA, People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, provides free care for those animals that would perhaps be left to suffer. Owners who are genuinely struggling financially will often find it impossible to pay hefty veterinary bills for the pet, no matter how much they care for the animal. The PDSA, like all charities relies on your generosity and donations.

Of course the list of charities is endless. However the ones above all would benefit from any help that you can offer. If you unable to offer financial help then perhaps you could volunteer some of your time or your skills. These charities always need help fostering animals, raising funds, advertising and more.

Please give what you can to animal charities as in the present economic climate such charities are often way down people's lists of worthy causes.