Do you know where your money is going?
I've been a longtime advocate of supporting local animal rescue organizations. You can go online, or ask around, and usually find a worthy one in need of your support. But beware, there are some that may not be worthy of your support. As Larry Keane points out in a recent report:
According to [the Humane Society's] 2013 tax return, the group dedicated a mere 1 percent of its $120 million budget toward helping animal shelters. The other 99 percent of that budget was primarily spent on fundraising expenses or placed in offshore funds.
Check out the efficiency of the organization to whom you are donating. Is the bulk of the donation going directly toward animal rescue and health care, or is it going into an offshore account and/or "administrative costs"?
It's best to find out something about the organization before you write that check. Better yet, go look for yourself, and get personally (hands on) involved in helping with local animal rescue. Like VetRanch in the San Antonio, TX area, there are good organizations out there that need your help.
/fl