Less than 2 minutes: Realize there are good things happening every day for animals in trouble -- why, for starters, you're getting involved, despite not having much money or time to do so, aren't you? And you're beginning to find out even one person can help, one person with just a little can make a big difference.

Less than 10 minutes: Right now, within just a few miles of where you live, there are animal rescue groups working very hard to help the cast-offs, the abused, the starving. They do so strictly with volunteers and often with very limited resources. Why not contact your local newspaper and ask to speak to either the editor or the features reporter and suggest a "human interest story" be written about the group and its efforts? The exposure enjoyed by the group could very well net the group additional volunteers and financial backing. It could all happen because of your one phone call!

$ 10 and 10 minutes: The next time you're at the local pet supply store, take $10 (save that spare change in a little jar just for this purpose!) and buy some pee pads, paper towels, food, treats, even toys, and make up a little goodies basket to take to a rescue group - perhaps the one you found above. Trust us, every little bit helps and the love you send the animals is worth the little bit of time and money you'll put into this project. Maybe get a few friends or the neighborhood children involved in pulling together their own little baskets. Maybe do it twice a year. Don't stop. Have fun with it. You're on a roll now!

Less than 10 minutes: Whenever you read about something good happening in the animal world, i.e., new laws giving stiffer penalties to animal abusers, the city council approves a new dog park for the area, a long-time community supporter of humane causes is honored, etc., send a quick email or handwritten note of thanks to those involved. They'll appreciate being appreciated. By doing so, you're sending positive energy out to others, which will bring positive energy back in to you.

Less than 10 minutes: Read the following list which lets you know that by doing what you can to help animals, you are in good company. There are many well-known people using their financial resources, influence and energies to help animals, including the late John F Kennedy, Jr., Tippi Hedren, Patrick McDonnell, game show host Bob Barker, Michael Bell, Dani the Therapy Dog, Gretchen Wyler, Warren Eckstein, Concetta Tomei, comedian Elayne Boosler, actor James Cromwell, Burt Ward, Tony La Russa, actress Linda Blair, Mr. Winkle, actress Betty White, actor Ed Asner, Wendie Malick, Dennis Weaver, Charlotte Ross, entertainer Dick Clark, Pamelyn Ferdin, actress Bea Arthur, comedian Richard Pryor, comedian Buddy Hackett, Cathy Guisewite, Rikki Rockett, Eric Balfour, Shannon Elizabeth, Ed Begley, Jr., AJ McLean, actress Christina Applegate, comedian Sinbad, Dana Daurey, actress Mary Tyler Moore, actor Earl Holliman, canine actor Eddie, Elizabeth Franz, the late actor Buddy Ebsen, David Shark Fralick, Amy Smart, Jillian Barberie, Leah Remini, actress Tori Spelling, actress Hilary Duff, actor Ian Anderson, actress Stefanie Powers, Randy Grim, Alicia Witt, actor Eric Roberts, actor Sid Caesar, actor Alec Baldwin, actress Kim Basinger, actress Kate Hudson, actress Courtney Cox, actor Ben Stiller, actress Pamela Anderson Lee, actor Rob Lowe, actor John Travolta, singer Paul McCartney, model Stella McCartney, football coach Marv Leavy, model Naomi Campbell, actress Brigitte Bardot, disk jockey Casey Kasem, actress Meg Ryan, baseball coach Tommy Lasorda, singer Rikki Rocket, actor Harry Hamlin, actor Woody Harrelson, model Twiggy, folk duet Indigo Girls, actress Drew Barrymore, tennis great Martina Navratilova (former professional tennis player, comedian Kevin Nealon, singer Bryan Adams, singer Michael Stipe, singer Peter (Blackie) Black, model Annalise Braakensiek, actress Jennie Garth, race car driver Peter Brock, singer Chrissie Hynde, actress Alicia Silverstone, singer Eddie Vedder, talk show host Montel Williams, alternative rock band members of The B-52'S, Judge Judy, singer Melissa Etheridge, model Claudia Schiffer, band members of Boston, MCA Records, actress Sophia Loren, singer Nina Hagen, singer Lemmy, actor Steven Segal, actress Tiffany Amber Theissen, comedian Bill Maher, singer Dave Mustang, actor Pierce Brosnan, members of band Raw Youth, talk show host Rikki Lake, actress Elvira, actor Jack Lemmon, actress Rue McClanahan, actress Linda Gray, actress Charloett Rae, radio personality Paul Harvey (radio personality), actress Alexandra Paul, singer Pink, musician Bruce Cockburn and many more, including you.

Now, keep that circle of kindness going and your children and their children will add to it throughout the upcoming generations. And you've helped make that happen with just 10 minutes or $10...aren't you just something!