For an animal lover, how about adopting an animal? (Some charities call it sponsor an animal, some call it adopt an animal.) This can help them with the conservation work they are doing and/or it can help with costs such as feeding, giving the animals somewhere to live, and all the things they need to keep them healthy. Below are just some ideas of animals you can adopt.
If any of them aren't for you, you could also look at these animal adoptions here.
So sweet! Adopt a dormouse from Shropshire, Surrey, Worcestershire or Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trusts!
You could adopt a beaver - they are ecological engineers, absolute masters at changing landscapes in a short period of time!
Such comical birds - they are just lovely! And once a puffin finds a mate, they are mates for life. Awwwww!
For bear lovers, sponsor a bear and help with their care - these are rescued bears in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, with Free the Bears. An adoption scheme is also available.
Support the Snow Leopard Trust (image from them) or the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and help their work with snow leopard conservation.
Pangolins are little-known animals and yet they are one of the most illegally-trafficked in the world. You could adopt a pangolin to help charities working to help them.
Orangutans... so much of their forest home has been destroyed for human needs. Adopt an orangutan and support charities working to help them.
This is a bit different - how about sponsoring a retired police dog (not this one!)? Help them to access veterinary and rehabilitation treatment. They've served us - let's look after them!
Giraffes are such beautiful animals! You can help giraffes directly in Africa or also through UK zoos - such as Chester and London (Chester's image is above).
Howl, howl howl! How about adopting a wolf?
Such gentle animals who work hard throughout the world for millions of people.
Head straight to this Wildlife Trust to adopt a Highland cow!