Welcome to Part 3 of our Gifts of the Season Giveaway. Today’s focus is the SPCA.

Those of you with pets know how much they can enrich our lives. Even those without pets probably have a friend or two who is simply crazy about their little darling (looks pointedly at her sister). Although I do not have a pet myself, I do play “auntie” and sometimes sitter to my sister’s adorable miniature schnauzer, Gus. To imagine him suffering the abuse some of these animals must endure is simply heart-rending.

From the SPCA website, following is their mission statement:

The mission of SPCA International is to raise awareness of the abuse of animals to a global level, to teach and foster good pet parenting practices, and to promote spay and neuter programs around the world with the goal of eradicating the need to euthanize healthy and adoptable companion animals of all ages.

What particularly touches me this season is their “No Buddy Gets Left Behind” program. This is an effort to rescue the animals adopted by US soldiers serving abroad. Take a look at “Charlie’s story.” For more on the Baghdad pups, see this press release about the SPCA’s new partner in this operation, ilovedogs.com.

Come back next Monday (Christmas Eve day) when we highlight our final entry in the Gifts of the Season Giveaway, the Make A Wish Foundation. And don’t forget our winner announcement on December 25th!