by Sally Longson

Created on: December 01, 2008

The ICT revolution has empowered every single one of us to help animals, even if they are across the other side of the world. There are a huge number of animal charities worldwide, all seeking to make a difference to animals and improve their lot, and you can tap into many of them and get involved over the Internet.

1. Tell a Friend.
Spread the word! Tell your animal-loving friends about campaigns such as Animals Matter (http://www.animalsmatter.org) will they sign up and spread the word too

Campaigns work! Examples include stopping the terrible conditions in which many animals travel long distances to slaughter (http://www.handlewithcare.tv/). Animals need a voice to represent them so add yours! It has already had some successes around the world.

You can also start an on-line petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/start-petition/ to influence animal welfare or create a blog at www.blogger.com to raise awareness of an issue.

2. Use social networking sites.
Raise awareness of an event, join a cause, or to start a group. Twitter, Facebook, Bebo...they all have the groups of people wanting to make a difference in a variety of areas involving animal welfare. Many animal charities have pages on any of these web sites join in and offer your support.

3. Go Shopping!
Many animal charities have gifts you can buy on-line for friends and relatives at Christmas and for birthdays. These may include diaries, calendars, mugs, cuddly toys, t-shirts and sweatshirts. They may also include items such as sponsoring a pen or in developing countries a vet for a day or a community welfare trainer who will train locals about animal welfare.

4. Adopt an animal.
For Christmas and birthdays, you can adopt animals over the Internet which helps the animal charity offering the adoption scheme and gives a really meaningful present to a loved one who can benefit from it for a year, as many charities send out newsletters giving their updates. And of course, you can use the Internet to provide a loving, caring home for an animal for a rescue shelter.

5. Fundraising.
Do a sponsored event and raise money! Sites such as Just Giving (http://www.justgiving.com/ mean that you can have your own page to share with friends, colleagues and family. You can also donate on-line to favourite causes. If you find it hard to choose one charity over any other, why not donate smaller amounts to several?

6. Donate as you earn!
In the UK, it is possible to Give as You Earn (http://www.cafonline.org) so that you choose how much

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