Animal Charity Fundraisers

As hard as this economy has been on most of us, it's even more so for nonprofit charities. Some I've spoken with, especially the smaller animal shelters, are in dire straights. Holding fundraisers is one way these organizations help stay afloat.

I would like to post information about animal charity fundraisers as I become aware of them. If there are any you would like us to blog about, please let us know, and we'll do our best to post.

--Paula

Save 500 African Greys

I'm a couple days late posting this but there is still time to help. The World Parrot Trust is asking for financial help with rehabilitating, and eventually releasing, over 500 African Grey parrots. The birds are victims of the illegal wildlife trade.

To read more about this dire situation and to offer help, please visit the Fly Free website, sponsored by World Parrot Trust.

Many thanks,

--Paula

Animal Lovers: Halloween Jewelry

Our Halloween jewelry for animal lovers section is now fully stocked. Our pieces are affordable - as low as $11.50 - and unlike candy, won't cause you to gain weight. This is a fun season, so why not celebrate it with some fun jewelry?

Here's a rundown of what we have:

• Witch and cat earrings by Sienna Sky
• Witch on moon pin by Zarah
• Cat with pumpkin earrings by Zarah
• Owl and moon earrings by Sienna Sky
• Black witch cat earrings by Sienna Sky
• Flying bat earrings by Wild Bryde
• Bat pin by Zarah
• Fruit bat necklace
• Bat with onyx necklace by Wild Bryde
• Raven earrings by Sienna Sky
  

Articles About Animals and Savvy Shopping

We've put our articles into one page on our website. As of this writing we only have 4 articles, but plan to add more in the future.

Are You Really Ready to Start an Animal Sanctuary?

If you are passionate about animals and want to help alleviate their suffering, you may have thought about starting your own rescue or sanctuary. Your heart may very well be in the right place, but there is much to consider before taking on this enormous responsibility. (Click here to read our article).

New Shagwear Accessories Added

We've added more Shagwear items including . . .

• Peacock Change Purse, which matches our Shagwear Peacock Wallet and Peacock Bag.
  
  
• Free Bird Change Purse, which matches our Shagwear Free Bird Wallet and Free Bird Bag.
  
  
• Travel Cat Wallet, a fun design depicting a cat who loves to travel.
  

We love Shagwear bags and accessories. They are well-designed and feature fun and innovative designs for animal lovers. Best of all, they are cruelty free. :)

Want to Save Birds? Consider an expedition.

If you are thinking of trekking to the tropics to see parrots up close and personal, consider this: Your trip can contribute to the conservation of parrots and their habitats.

We have heard the alarms being sounded by scientists: Birds, including parrots, are vanishing at alarming rates. Of the more than 330 known species of parrots, The World Conservation Union (you may know it as the IUCN) recognizes over 90 species of these as being critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable. These numbers do not even take into consideration other groups of exotic birds, like finches.

As devastating as this all seems, there are glimmers of hope. One of these is ecotourism. Before you make those reservations though, please keep in mind that not all ecotourism operators are equal. Any company can claim to specialize in ecotourism. But do they pass the test? (Click to read the rest of the article.)

New Halloween Jewelry Added

As promised, we've added more animal lover Halloween jewelry. Some of these items, like our fruit bat necklace, pictured here, can be worn all year.

Other new Halloween items include:

• Bat Earrings by Wild Bryde
  
• Bat Pin by Zarah
• Raven Earrings by Sienna Sky

Shop our entire collection of Halloween jewelry for animal lovers.

New Wild Bryde Jewelry Added

Wild Bryde jewelry just added today:

• Squirrel Earrings
  
  
• Flying Bat Earrings (perfect for Halloween or any time of year)
  
  
• Elephant Earrings
  
  

Wild Bryde is a company that manufacturers nature-inspired jewelry. Each piece is made using recycled brass and is either gold plated or rhodium plated; rhodium is a non-tarnishing silver alloy. Earwires are either 14k gold-filled or sterling silver.

Photo Contests for Bird and Nature Photographers

If you love birds and other wild animals, and have photography skills, check out the list of contests at Birder's World Magazine. They list 8 bird and nature photography contests being sponsored by various organizations, including their own.

Even if you don't plan to participate in a contest, I think you will find the nature photos as breathtaking as I did.

Halloween Jewelry for Animal Lovers

The leaves have already started changing color here in south central Wisconsin. As much as I love fall, it's always hard saying goodbye to all the colorful flowers we planted during spring and summer - and to all the bees, dragonflies and butterflies our garden attracts.

Fall will officially be here in a few weeks, then Halloween. We've already started to add new animal lover Halloween jewelry and more will be added during the next couple of weeks.

Some of our new items include Sienna Sky Cat and Witch earrings, pictured here, and Owl Earrings. We also will have new bat jewelry, including necklaces and earrings.

Now these are treats that will last, and they're sugar free. :)