I have friends and family that are active in animal rescue activities. Before making a charitable contribution, it is important to know who you are donating to and how your money will be used. Rule of thumb, keep your money local. Watch out for PETA and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Both maintain massive fund raising operations and neither operate for the benefit of local animal shelters. I would maintain that each is a front and funding mechanism for terrorist groups such as ELF, ALF and SHAC.
Run an Internet search on SHAC, Earth Liberation Front (ELF), and Animal Liberation Front (ALF). All of these links are to Wikipedia. A government mandated report, Animal Enterprise Protection Act 1992, mandated report lays out the history of animal and eco terrorism in the United States.
In the interests of fairness the NRA claims that hunters make substantial contributions to wildlife conservation efforts. A PDF from National Shooting Sports Foundation describes the economic impact that hunting has across the nation. This funding would not be available if HSUS has its way.
Want to make a contribution to help wildlife contribution efforts? Try this government mandated for hunters, Duck Stamp. Another alternative, in Texas, are Hunting, Fishing License Packages.
It isn’t enough to give, what is required is to give where it will do the most good in the most effective manner.