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Blog

How to give the gift of kindness this Christmas

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  • RSPCA Australia
  • Tuesday, 22 November 2022
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Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for the RSPCA – and Guardian Angel is one of the most meaningful ways you can help our teams care for animals this festive season.

All donations go directly towards the RSPCA, including caring for animals in shelters across the country and helping our Inspectorates investigate animal cruelty cases.

But you might be wondering, what exactly does it mean to become a Guardian Angel, and how does that help animals? Read on to find out …

What is a Guardian Angel and how does it work?

A Guardian Angel is someone who has donated to provide love, care and support for the more than 27,000 animals we expect to see through our RSPCA shelters nationally this festive season.

To become a guardian angel, you can visit the website and click “donate now”. You will then be prompted to choose the kind of animal you would like to support – you can choose dogs, cats or other animals (such as horses). You can even choose the ‘surprise me’ option if you’re happy for us to choose for you!

Once you have finalised your donation, you will be prompted to a page where you can see and learn about the animal you are protecting this Christmas. You will also receive an email and a special Christmas gift card with a photo and the details of the animal you're helping to care for.

At any point, you can go to the Guardian Angel website, select ‘Already A Guardian Angel’ option and search for your animal by entering the details you used during your donation.

You can also gift a donation in a loved one in their name and send them a cute e-card online which features the animal they are protecting this Christmas. Just like if you’re making a donation in your name, you can choose the kind of animal your friend and family member would love the most, as well as when and how you’d like the gift card sent. Now that’s a great Christmas gift!

Why should I become a Guardian Angel?

Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for the RSPCA, with thousands of unwanted and neglected animals coming through our doors.

We estimate over 27,000 animals turn to the RSPCA for help at this time of year alone – so the community’s support is needed more than ever.

The RSPCA relies on support from the community, with a very small portion of operating expenses coming from government – so we can’t say thank you enough to our guardian angels for helping provide love, care and support to these animals in need.

Protect animals like Liz and Heather

Liz and her sister Heather are an example of some of the animals we’re able to help thanks to the generous support of the community. Liz and Heather were two of the 36 dogs and pups our Inspectors rescued from a living hell- an intensive breeding factory, in a sweltering, filthy tin shed, with little or no drinking water and contaminated food, during a hot Australian summer.

Liz and Heather came to the RSPCA with no home and no family but luckily, they are now safe and sound in our care.

Your generosity will help them and other animals in our care recover and prepare for the next stages of their life.

It will also allow the RSPCA to provide vet checks, flea treatments, bandages, microchipping, clean bedding - everything a wounded animal needs to recover.

So this Christmas, if you can, we hope you’ll consider joining us to help care for animals in need. And from all of us at the RSPCA, thank you for your support. We couldn’t be more grateful.

To become a Guardian Angel head to the Guardian Angel website

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