Gifts That Support Animals & Conservation

Photo-Illustration: Ellen Digital Ventures; Photos: Retailers

This post is produced by our editorial team in partnership with TisBest.org

by FRANCESCA NUNEZ HOBSON

There is power in every purchase you make. This holiday season, be the voice for those who don’t have one: animals in need. Shop with brands on a mission to protect our furry (and feathered, and finned) friends all around the world, from rescue dogs to endangered species.

We’ve given you a head start! Check out some of our favorite companies working hard to support animals and conservation. You’ll love our list of sweet treats, indulgent gifts, and easy stocking stuffers.

Endangered Species Chocolate

Picture this: one of Endangered Species Chocolate’s gorgeously packaged bars and a little holiday card, tied up together with twine. What a sweet (and easy!) way to say Happy Holidays to everyone from co-workers and casual friends to the diligent delivery person who’s working hard to make things merry — and makes regular trips to your door at this time of year!

Of course, Endangered Species Chocolates taste good, but they do good, too! The brand donates 10% of its annual net profits to conservation organizations, making a real impact on wildlife and critical habitats around the globe. Endangered Species Chocolate has donated over $2.6 million to conservation partners since 2016, and even supports independent farmers in West Africa through their Fairtrade sourcing.

Explore all the delicious flavors, from classic Smooth + Creamy Milk Chocolate to sophisticated Cinnamon Cayenne & Cherries + Dark Chocolate, here. Don’t miss the bags of single-serving size squares to stuff in stockings and premium oat milk & chocolate baking chips to take your cookies to the next level!

Amarula

Headed to a festive shindig? Rather than offering up the usual bottle of wine, treat your host to Amarula, a creamy, sweet African liqueur instead. You’ll notice the design of the bottle evokes the graceful arc of an elephant’s tusks. That's because Amarula is made with ripe marula fruit, a flavor cherished by humans — and elephants too! In fact, entire elephant herds have been known to walk for miles every summer just to visit marula trees and taste the ripe fruit when it’s ready for harvesting.

The marula fruit’s natural association with elephants has inspired Amarula to honor and protect elephants with every bottle purchased. The brand founded the Amarula Trust in 2002 to support elephant conservation efforts and co-funds the Amarula Elephant Research Programme at the University of Natal, Durban. They also donate to HERD, South Africa’s first elephant orphanage. Plus, every bottle of Amarula features a distinctive, handmade tassel crafted by African women through a program with The Handwork Hub.

The velvety flavor of Amarula — smooth vanilla and decadent caramel balanced by notes of bright orange — makes for an ideal special occasion refreshment. It tastes amazing in hot chocolate *wink*! Explore all the flavors of Amarula here (there’s even a VEGAN version of Original!) to learn more, then look for Amarula at your local liquor store or specialty beverage shop.

Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co.

Coffee’s a must for powering up your morning, so why not shop with a company that fuels a greater purpose, too? Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. donates 20% of all profits to rescue organizations and initiatives dedicated to providing care and shelter for dogs, including Wags & Walks, Humane Animal Rescue, Secondhand Hounds, and more.

Grounds & Hounds uses organic, eco-friendly beans across their entire portfolio. Delight the coffee lover on your list with seasonal blends like Perfect with Pie, Pumpkin Spice, and Snow Day. Love convenience? Don’t worry, they’ve got single-serve coffee pods. And if you or someone on your list really loves coffee, try a three-, six-, or 12-month subscription to keep the good stuff coming straight to the door.

Be the best guest ever and perk up a holiday get-together with sweet treats from Grounds & Hounds, like Dark Chocolate Dipped Espresso Beans, Espresso Infused Caramels, or rich hot cocoa with a flavorful twist, like Caramel, Mexican, and Peppermint.

Shop all of Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. coffees, treats, accessories, and apparel here, and help a pup with every cup!

Chantecaille

It’s so fun to give an extravagant gift to someone who doesn’t often treat themselves, especially when you know they’re going to love it. Make two dresses out of one drape — give a gift that will do good and you make your recipient look good too.

Chantecaille is a French beauty brand popular with celebs and beauty insiders; you can’t find it at major retailers, so it’s a little under the radar (which only adds to its appeal). The colors are stunning, the formulas are top of the line, and even the packaging is sumptuous. However, it’s the brand’s 20-year-long commitment to philanthropy that’s the real selling point. Chantecaille regularly releases collections dedicated to raising awareness and funding organizations to help environmental causes and endangered species, including Amazon hummingbirds, Bengal tigers, Monarch butterflies, and more.

We are especially drawn to the Africa’s Vanishing Species Collection, a line of eye shadows designed to pay tribute to and support six of Africa’s most endangered species. Shop all of the Chantecaille products that support philanthropy and important causes here!

Conscious Step

Spice up someone’s sock drawer with Conscious Step. These socks offer comfort and style while taking the right steps (pun intended) to build a better world by supporting people, animals, and the planet. Every Conscious Step purchase supports one of their partner organizations and the communities they serve.

We love the brand’s Gift Boxes; check out this page of 19 different boxes to shop, each championing a unique cause like planting trees, protecting the arctic, supporting mental health, preventing breast cancer, and more! It’s a one-stop shop for giving someone special to you a gift that helps a cause that special to them.

Sydney Hale Company

Candles are always appreciated, but they can feel a little... impersonal. Choose a candle that’s eye-catching and heartwarming when you shop Sydney Hale.

The packaging is minimalist, flexible enough to vibe with a variety of decor styles, and the scents are natural, herbal, and aromatic, like Blue Spruce + Spearmint, Bergamot + Black Tea, and Clementine + Clove.

Animals are a cause close to the founder’s heart, so 10% of the brand’s profits go to a variety of animal rescue organizations across the United States. Explore the full range of candles, home fragrance, soaps, and — surprise! — well-crafted dog gear at SydneyHaleCo.com

SpiritHoods

Lions and tigers and... polar bears, oh my! Got a little one to shop for who loves animals? Gift them with the ability to look fierce and keep warm with a SpiritHood. (Yes, there are adult sizes too!) SpiritHoods are made with faux fur, include mitten-like “pawkets” to keep hands warm and stash essentials, and there’s an entire menagerie of animal-inspired looks to choose from.

SpiritHoods donates 10% of net profits to the conservation of endangered animals and their habitat, supporting Animal Tracks Inc., and Panthera among others. SpiritHoods also makes the most of leftover fabric for the brand’s “Throws for the Homeless” project, where they donate hundreds of throws in downtown Los Angeles during winter to help keep the homeless community warm during their difficult times.

Shop all of SpiritHoods faux-fur goods here, including hoods, coats, blankets, pillows, rugs, and more!

Sand Cloud

The practical person in your life will love the gift of fresh cotton towels. And you’ll love that when you shop Sand Cloud, you’re helping to save marine life! Sand Cloud donates 10% of profits to organizations focused on conservation, including the Marine Conservation Institute, The Surfrider Foundation, and the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.

Everything Sand Cloud creates is designed with sustainability in mind, from products to packaging. A stack of pretty hand towels makes a great housewarming gift and, although the brightly colored beach towels can’t be used right away, it’s still nice to know that they’re ready and waiting for summer. Shop Sand Clouds towels, accessories, and clothes right here, and help #savethefishies

TisBest

Give the loved ones on your list the chance to pick the cause closest to them. Check out TisBest.org where you can purchase charity gift cards that allow recipients to experience the power of giving by donating 100% of the card’s value to charities of their choice.

Recipients of TisBest charity gift cards can search from more than 1.5 million registered U.S. charities organized by category so the causes most important to them are easy to find, including animal-focused organizations and charities. You can even customize each gift card with any image of your choice!