Many people now prefer to sponsor an animal in addition to – or rather than – having their own pet. Sponsoring an animal has many benefits – both to the person who is taking out the sponsorship or adoption not to mention the organisation and the animal being sponsored.

For most of the world`s badgers, humans are the only other animals that pose any real threat to their wellbeing. The practices of digging badgers from their setts and baiting them for hours on end with dogs; these activities were common practices in Britain until relatively recent times. Adopt a badger and help change a badgers life forever!

Adopting an animal such as an elephant has never been easier, and it can now be done quickly and easily online as a gift, or just for yourself.

Pandas are the rarest bears and their forest habitat is fast disappearing. You can make a difference by sponsoring or adopting a panda. Click here to find out where to sponsor a panda

A gift that is proving extremely popular with animal lovers for Christmas is the chance to adopt a reindeer.Click here to find out how to adopt or sponsor a reindeer

Thousands of whales and dolphins are slaughtered every year for human consumption and for use in fertiliser, and animal food. Sponsor or adopt a dolphin and do something about it. Click here to find out how to adopt or sponsor a dolphin

You can make a huge difference as well as give a great gift by adopting a monkey through WWF.

If you are looking for a meaningful, alternative gift this Christmas to give to friends and family, then you might consider sponsoring a guide dog puppy on someone else's behalf. You can sponsor a puppy direct here through guide dogs for the blind.