The holiday season ā€” or what I like to call ā€œthe giving seasonā€ ā€” is finally upon us (and so is Giving Tuesday onĀ November 28). A lot of people are starting to think about which charities to support and which organizations to give to. I would like to make a case for what I consider the best animal charities.

My list only includes charities that I know best utilize their donations and use them to make the lives of animals better. Something Iā€™ve learned over the years is that the most vocal in-your-face organizations that advertise a lot are not the best organizations to give to. These types of charities often use most of your dollars to line their own nests; they pay themselves money from the donations and useĀ very littleĀ to further the cause they are meant to be furthering. Let us never forget that.

If youā€™re ever in doubt as to the authenticity of a particular charity (including animal charities), you can look them up on the Charity WatchĀ website. It keeps charities honest, and it keeps us ā€” the paying public ā€” well informed.

Read the rest here.