It can be tough to think of “just the right gift” for someone who seems to have everything they need, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary or holiday gift. When finding just right gift is perplexing, it can be difficult to get excited over the gift giving process.
What can we thoughtfully gift to a friend or loved one who has been blessed with all of the “things” they need?
Here’s a solution our family discovered which makes for fun and thoughtful gift giving.
A number of years ago, we visited a nearby raptor rescue center. While waiting in the gift shop for our tour to begin, we noticed a notebook containing photographs of raptors housed at the center. The children and I were engrossed as we read the stories behind each bird’s rescue and a brief description of their personality. On each biographical page was an adoption status which indicated if the bird was available for adoption.
The last bird listed in the book was an albino red-tailed hawk name Honeysuckle. There was a collective gasp from my children and myself as we marveled at this beautiful creature.
We left the center that day with an adoption of Honeysuckle. However, the adoption was a gift for my hard-to-buy-for, avid bird watching mother-in-law. The children were excited, and I wasn’t sure the big secret could be kept for the six weeks until Christmas Day. It truly was the perfect gift for someone with three bird guides next to her strategically placed favorite chair, overlooking a multitude of birdfeeders.
Our excitement was in knowing we had found a gift that reflected her interests and personality. It was a fun way to acknowledge one of her passions and to show how much we appreciated that aspect of her life.
Below we have highlighted three animal adoption options. A manatee or sea turtle adoption is a thoughtful gift for the person on your gift list who enjoys the ocean. Birdwatchers will enjoy the adoption of a rescued bird of prey. There are many possibilities, and we have listed additional animal adoption ideas at the end of the article.
• Save The Manatee Foundation: Established in 1981 by Jimmy Buffett and, then Florida senator, Bob Graham to protect the manatees living mostly off the coast of Florida and South America. Today, there are about 3000 west indian manatees living in the coastal waters of the United States. They are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act.
Giving the gift of manatee adoption is fun, easy, and affordable. The first step in the adoption process is to browse the online gallery and select a manatee to adopt. You will find yourself captivated as you view the photographs and read the brief biographical sketches of each animal.
It’s exciting to select a manatee who shares a name or personality trait with your gift recipient. Betsy, one of the manatees listed under the Homosassa Springs link, is described as being “very friendly and curious and is quick to investigate anything new”. Betsy would be a great adoption match for a curious friend or family member, or for someone on your gift list named Betsy or Elizabeth.
The gift recipient will receive an impressive adoption packet with detailed information about manatees, photographs, newsletters and a calendar (if you adopt at the $35 level). Then, throughout the year, they will receive Paddle Tales, a monthly newsletter and the quarterly Manatee Zone newsletter.
Our family received a gift of a manatee adoption last year and have thoroughly enjoyed the newsletters updates and visiting “our” manatee online. The information packet is impressive and packed full of information.
• Adopt a Raptor: Raptor centers are located throughout the United States. Their specific mission is to rescue and rehabilitate injured birds of prey. However, not all of the rescued raptors can be released back into the wild. Therefore, in addition to rescuing and releasing, these centers also provide permanent housing for the injured animals who can no longer survive on their own. These animals must be housed, fed and tended.
Adopting a bird of prey includes an information packet on the specific bird, and often an invitation to visit the animal in person at the center, free of charge. Many raptor centers provide a one-on-one session with the adopted animal. (Obviously, with a handler from the center staff on hand.)
The gift packet that is sent to the recipient often includes a biographical sketch of the bird, including the circumstances under which they were rescued, a description and update on their injuries and a beautiful photo. (Note: the specific contents of the gift packet will vary by raptor center.) A list of raptors centers located in the United States is listed below.
• Sea Turtle Rescue: There are a number of sea turtle rescue groups throughout the world.
At Seaturtle.org (http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking/adopt/), you can adopt a loggerhead, leatherback, Kemp’s Riley or any other type of sea turtle from locations such as Guadeloupe, Cape Verde, Florida and the Cayman Islands.
As part of a sea turtle adoption, you’ll receive a photo, basic information about the turtle and tracking information. (Sea turtles are tracked using satellite transmitters attached to their backs.) Adoption prices range from $25 to $100.
You can personalize this gift by selecting a turtle rescue program in your area of the world, or in a geographic location that is of importance to the recipient. Other sea turtle rescue organizations include: The Caribbean Conservation and Sea Turtle Survival League (http://www.cccturtle.org/member.htm), Watamu Turtle Watch, Kenya (http://www.adoptaseaturtle.com/), Sunset Beach Turtle Watch in Sunset Beach, North Carolina (http://www.sunsetbeachturtles.org/donations.html).
If the gift recipient lives near a coastal area, check for a sea turtle organization in the area. Rescue organizations provide informative workshops and lectures that would make a fun addition to an adoption gift.
• Looking for other animal adoption ideas? Visit AdoptWildlife.org, (http://www.adoptwildlife.org/index.htm), where you can adopt a badger, an otter, a dolphin, a tiger and more!
The gift of animal adoption is ideal for the person who “doesn’t need a thing”, family and friends who love animals, teachers (most adoption packets include terrific informational packets and lesson plans), and children (who may not need any more toys!).