Under $8: Be sure your pet wears an identification tag. There are tons of tag companies on the internet, but we think Boomerang Tags look good at a reasonable price with no shipping charges.

Under $5: Prepare one vegetarian dish a week. For some quick, easy and tasty ideas, check out The Veggie Table and Ashy's Vegetarian Recipes and Peta's Guide. If you adore fast food, check out the suggestions at You Like It Fast and Cheap?.

Free: Learn what companies test their beauty, cleaning and other products on animals, a very cruel and unnecessary practice! Caring Consumer has a list of who engages in animal testing -- and who does not. You help animals when you don't buy products from companies who run tests on them.

Free: There are Web sites that help animals and you can donate just by clicking on a link, no money required! Here's two to get you started: Animal Rescue and Care2.

$10: Students and senior citizens may often be able to purchase the least expensive membership of local humane societies or national groups. Ask about different categories.

Free: Teach your children to be responsible with their pets and gentle with all animals.

$5 and up: Give gifts where a portion of the purchase price goes to helping animals. We like Animal Rescue Shop.

Free: Be charitable to animals when giving to medical charities. Learn which ones are still funding useless experiments on animals while researching human diseases.

Each under $10 per month: Be sure pets receive heartworm medications and flea/tick treatments on a regular schedule. Even one missed heartworm tablet can leave your pet open to the disease, the treatment of which is very expensive and potentially deadly for your pet!

$ Priceless: If you've not already had your pet spayed or neutered, now is the time. While it's not free, there are many low-cost spay/neuter programs that can assist with the expense. The procedure will add years to your animal's life, something upon which you can't place value.