In the past, at about this time of the year, I have submitted a letter about being careful to verify the legitimacy of those organizations asking for your charitable dollars. This year, I’d like to make a plea on behalf of the animal charities specifically. You may already have your charitable dollars planned. But if you have a few dollars for our four-legged friends, here is a list of organizations we’ve found to be worthy. (And yes, there are plenty more out there.) I’ve researched these, and they do what they say. They can each be found by name on the internet and through the Charity Navigator website, charitynavigator.com. Can you pick one and give a little? Thanks.

Animal Place, Seattle Humane, Pigs — A Sanctuary, Best Friends, Kindness Ranch, Keepers of the Wild, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Red Rover, Fund for Animals, Humane Farming, Four Paws, Northshore Animal League, Last Chance for Animals, Farm Sanctuary, Alley Cat Allies, Smiling Dog Farms, African Wildlife Foundation, Tiger Preservation Center, Healing Haven Animal Foundation, Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue, Wild Animal Health Fund, Animal Recovery Mission, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Southern Winds Equine Rescue, Humane Society of the US, Hooves & Paws, Performing Animal Welfare Society, Animal Welfare Institute, Priderock Animal Refuge, American Anti-Vivisection Society.

Dave McKenzie, Federal Way