Last Minute Gift Ideas That Give to Animals

If you’re looking for some last minute gifts for your pet, friends, family or even yourself, a visit to Etsy might be in order. If you haven’t heard of Etsy, it’s an online market place full of independent artists and indiepreneuers who sell wares from jewelry and clothing to pottery, fine art prints and furniture, among other things, along with some fantastic vintage finds.

Etsy gets even better with the team Etsy for Animals (EFA), which is made up of a group of amazingly talented independent artists and crafters who use their abilities to benefit animals. EFA members donate anywhere from 10 to 100 percent of their sales to an animal charity of their choosing, or to the team’s featured charity of the month.

This December’s charity is Farm Sanctuary. Last month it was the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. In the preceding months, charities including Defenders of Wildlife, the Feral Cat Rescue Project and Winslow Farm Sanctuary were featured. As of 2009, the team has raised a whopping $19399 and some change to help animals in need.

Not only do these artists donate portions of their sales to help animals, they also donate items to fundraisers, network with eachother to promote causes and pass around petitions but they also donate their time by volunteering.

The best ways to find these artists is to search for the term ‘team efa‘ on Etsy’s homepage, or use the term ‘efa cotm‘ to see who’s donating to the charity of the month. Or, if you’re in the market for something specific, check out the member page where artists are listed by category on EFA’s website.

You can also search the terms “etsyveg team” and “veganetsy team” to find an assortment of items made by members of Etsy Veg and Vegan Etsy who are working to promote either vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, in addition to bringing cruelty free vegan items into the mainstream marketplace. Is there anything better than makeup from a seller who says their products are tested on willing human volunteers?

While gifts might not make it on time to put under the tree, it’s still a great place to shop year round with something to suit any budget.

Etsy for Animals

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

rene d.

2:33PM PST on Jan 19, 2011

thanks for posting.

January 19
send a green star

Eva E.

2:12PM PST on Dec 24, 2010

@Anna F --- as a group, "Etsy For Animals" has done a tremendous amount to help animals in need - by donating thousands of dollars, through volunteering, adopting, fostering and contributing their resources. I should know, I've been a member since it's inception.

Anna F, I understand why you feel the way you do, but to make groups like this suffer for the insensitivity, tastelessness and tactlessness of one seller is extremely unfair. Boycott the seller if you must, but please don't punish all the other good people on Etsy. By doing so, you are taking away some of our members' livelihoods and hurting animals we could've helped.

December 24
send a green star

Danuta W.

7:08AM PST on Dec 24, 2010

Thanks

Suzanne P.

5:53AM PST on Dec 24, 2010

I'm a jewellery artist on Etsy and one of many dedicated animal rights activists raising money for animal rights groups. We appreciate your support!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/chickadeejewelry

4:01AM PST on Dec 24, 2010

Thanks for the info.

Allison K.

7:25PM PST on Dec 23, 2010

thank you!

December 23
send a green star

Bon L.

5:25PM PST on Dec 23, 2010

Cindy M.

4:49PM PST on Dec 23, 2010

Thankz

Anna F.

3:35PM PST on Dec 23, 2010

How can you promote the same company that sells rape cards and offends families with children of disabilities?
BOYCOTT ESTY until they remove the offensive cards Care 2 has brought to our attention as being HIGHLY OFFENSIVE to HUMAN RIGHTS! PLEASE do not give mixed messages on one page you say get the offenders off and then here you tell us to join .. what gives? Are you in or out? Women hold $12 trillion dollars worth of the economic pie .. put your $$ where your mouth is, DO NOT SPONSOR HATRED of ANY KIND ESPECIALLY THIS EXCREMENT! More love!

Ana F.

1:29PM PST on Dec 23, 2010

Thanks for this news!