WE can all be guilty of overspending at Christmas, so this year why not give a small percentage of your festive budget to an equine or animal charity?

This year, more than ever, charities are calling out for donations after most fundraising events being cancelled due to Covid-19.

Here is a list of just some of the many worthy causes to consider:

The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland

Since the Donkey Sanctuary opened its gates in 1987, it has loved and cared for over 5,600 neglected and abandoned donkeys from across Ireland. Every donkey taken into the sanctuary is guaranteed a life of loving care.

Suitable, fit donkeys may be found homes through their rehoming scheme and those needing more intensive care and ongoing veterinary treatment become permanent residents.

You can make a donation through their website: thedonkeysanctuary.ie. Or alternatively support them by visiting their online shop for some cute, donkey-themed stocking fillers!

ISPCA

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) is Ireland’s largest national animal welfare charity, and represents 17 affiliated member societies.

Together the ISPCA and their members help, rescue, treat and responsibly rehome tens of thousands of animals of all different species.

The ISPCA has a wide range of Christmas gifts available on its website that are perfect for an animal lover. They sell festive jigsaws, tea towels, gift wrap and stockings to name a few.

But if you are looking for something more personal that will really delight an animal lover this Christmas, head over to the “Thoughtful Gifts” section of their website. Here you can pay €25 to feed a dog or puppy for a month or spend €10 on a worm and flea treatment.

For horse lovers, you can give the gift of feeding a horse for a month for €130, or another option is to buy 100 bales of hay for €350. By shopping online at www.ispca.ie you’ll be supporting their work rescuing and rehabilitating animals in Ireland.

Irish Injured Jockeys

Irish Injured Jockeys (IIJ) was set up in 2014 to increase awareness and raise vital funds to support our injured jockeys. Funds raised through Irish Injured Jockeys go to the injured riders who are in most need of support.

If you are looking for a unique gift for a racing enthusiast in your life, JP McManus has recently donated a number of magnificent signed prints of the five Champion Hurdle winners, Binocular, Buveur d’Air, Istabraq, Jezki and Espoir d’Allen to IIJ.

The full sale price of these prints will go to the charity. The original is signed by owner JP McManus and all winning trainers (Nicky Henderson, Aidan O’Brien, Jessica Harrington, Gavin Cromwell) and all winning jockeys (AP McCoy, Barry Geraghty, Noel Fehily, Charlie Swan, Mark Walsh). These prints contain a photo-scanned copy of the signatures.

You can also help support IIJ by purchasing some of their quality merchandise as a stocking filler. They sell a wide range of baseball caps, beanies, travel mugs, notepads and shopping bags on their website irishinjuredjockeys.com.

Irish Horse Welfare Trust

Based in Woodenbridge, Co Wicklow, the IHWT costs €300,000 to run per annum. Despite receiving grants from the Department of Agriculture and Horse Racing Ireland, this still does not cover their costs. The charity relies on the generosity donations to fund the remaining expences throughout the year.

This year, the charity are running an online auction on November 23rd so keep an eye out on their social media if you would like to take part or donate a prize.

You can make a donation to the IHWT or set up a monthy direct debit online through their website www.ihwt.ie.

My Lovely Horse Rescue

My Lovely Horse Rescue was established in 2011 at the height of the horse crisis in Ireland and is run entirely by unpaid volunteers determined to end the suffering of equines in Ireland.

They work with Gardaí, local authorities and the Department of Agriculture in moving starving, neglected, abused and abandoned equines to a place of safety.

You can support My Lovely Horse Rescue by donating through their website mylovelyhorserescue.com.

You could also decide to sponsor an animal and set up a monthly donation. The charity is also always looking for people to adopt or foster equines. If this is something you are interested in, you can find more information on their website.

Hungry Horse Outside

Hungry Horse Outside is a large equine rescue based in County Longford. It rescues mainly horses, with the exception of some cats and dogs. They rely on volunteers so any offers of help is gratefully accepted.

Their aim is to rehome as many horses as is possible and to educate people on the responsibilities of equine care.

You can donate easily through their website hungryhorseoutside.com.