We’re a day away from Thanksgiving, and it has me thinking of all the animals out there that don’t have a family to spend turkey day with. I wish I could open my door to every single one of them, but since that’s just not feasible I know I can help to do my part through my efforts with the 13 Project.

A few weeks ago Serena from Pretty Fluffy had invited me to join The 13 Project, a wonderful initiative to get involved and help animals!

Incase you missed it….

THE 13 PROJECT

The 13 Project is a Pretty Fluffy initiative that involves 13 acts of kindness towards animals before 2013. The goal is to emmbark on a list of 13 achievable and worthy goals before the year is out.

To join, all you have to do is come up with a list of up to 13 ways you can help animals before the end of 2013. You don’t need to be a millionaire, you don’t need to have a website, or be a member of a rescue organization … all you need is the desire to make a difference. Any little bit helps!

I’ve spent the last few weeks working on completing some of my goals, so I thought I would give everyone a little update on my progress so far.

My goals for the 13 Project….

1. Make a charitable contribution to some of my favorite rescue groups, as I have done for the past several years, through the help of sales of my paintings and artwork that my friends the Painting Ponies have made.

2. Get my photo taken with Santa at a place that donates the profits to rescue groups like I have done for the past 3 years.

3. Promote some local rescue group events to all of my followers through Facebook. I have shared a few rescue events with my fans so far, but hope to share even more!

4. Purchase some toys from Planet Dog, where 2% of my sale goes to the Planet Dog Foundation, an organization that helps fund the training and placement of service dogs.

5. Share some of the available adoptable dogs (like I have done in the past) at the local shelters with my followers. I shared a few of the adoptable pets at my local SPCA, and I hope to continue to share some of my four-legged friends that are in search of their forever homes.

6. Donate some of my old towels to a local animal shelter. I took a trip to the Chester County SPCA and donated a big box of unwanted towels and blankets.

7. Create Holiday Greeting Cards for my Etsy Shop and donate a percentage of the sales to animal shelters. My 2012 Holiday Greeting Cards donate 2% of all the proceeds to the Main Line Animal Rescue. The more you buy the more I can donate!

8. Promote responsible pet ownership and encourage my readers to spay/neuter their pets.

9. Donate some of my outgrown sweaters and jackets that I no longer use to a rescue group that can use them for shelter dogs. I recently sent a donation of sweaters and jackets to the Dachshund Rescue of Bucks County & New Jersey to keep the rescue dachshunds nice and warm. I encourage you to do the same!

10. Create a new page on the blog that highlights ways you can involved and help rescue animals, shelters, and good causes.

11. Purchase some Rescue Chocolate as Christmas gifts that donates 100% of their profits to animal rescues.

12. Try to promote more products on my Friday Fetch feature that donate a percentage of their sales to animal charities. Since I joined the 13 Project I am happy to say that just about every feature on Friday Fetch has helped out a rescue group/cause with the sale of their items.

13. Encourage others to get involved with the 13 Project! I’ve been pinning and sharing the 13 Project with all my fans!

I still have a ways to go to complete my list, but I’m making good progress! I hope you’ll join me in The 13 Project! I’d love to hear your ideas of animal kindness too, post links to your list of 13 goals in the comment section below so that we can all share and get inspiration on how to help more animals!

And to all the animals out there looking for forever homes I send all my love this Thanksgiving and every day. xoxo.