Where The Wild Things Are Adopted

Last year, Alison Hockenberry struggled with how to make Christmas less commercialized for her children. The Brooklyn, N.Y., mother of four wanted to give her children something meaningful that they could also enjoy. After searching the Internet, she decided to "adopt" an endangered animal for each of her five-year-old twin girls. She donated money to two organizations dedicated to saving endangered species, and Zoe and Olivia each received an adoption kit, which included a certificate and either a photo of the animal or a stuffed toy.

The gifts were a bigger hit than even Hockenberry imagined they could be, and it sparked an interest in learning about what makes an animal species endangered. Olivia opened up a picture of her infant gorilla, Kubona, and immediately wanted to plan a visit to Africa to visit her. Zoe was just as thrilled with her snowy owl and decided to learn about drilling in the Arctic. "It was so much more than just a thing," says Hockenberry. "It was a learning experience. They felt like they made a contribution, and it gave them a connection to the world."

Defenders of Wildlife: You can choose to "adopt" one or more of 10 wild animals, including a wolf, dolphin, polar bear, panther, whale, sea otter, snowy owl, black bear, tiger or elephant for $25. Adopt a whole family for $40 to $75. Your child will receive a kit with a plush animal toy and a certificate of adoption. She'll also become a member for a year and receive the organization's quarterly magazine. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for standard shipping and 5 to 7 days for express (www.defenders.org, 800-385-9712).

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International: You can adopt an infant for $50, a mother-infant pair for $100 or a silverback for $300. You'll receive a photo of your gorilla and adoption papers. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery (www.gorillafund.org, 800-851-0203).

Caribbean Conservation Corporation & Sea Turtle Survival League: The minimum donation for an adoption kit is $25, which includes a personalized certificate. For a larger donation your child can also receive T-shirts, newsletters or books (www.cccturtle.org, 800-678-7853).

Smithsonian National Zoological Park's Adopt a Species program: The zoo's Giant Panda kits, including a stuffed black-and-white panda, support bamboo as well as animal conservation in the wild. Thirty-three other adoptable species include sloth bears and ring-tailed lemurs as well as some reptiles, birds and invertebrates ($40 or $65 for a plush toy (www.nationalzoo.si.edu/Support/AdoptSpecies/default.cfm, no phone orders).

Healthy Planet Endangered Species Adoption Kits: Wild mustangs, manatees and nine other species are looking for "parents," who'll receive posters, activity booklets and stickers. Donations, starting at $24.95, go to food and land for sanctuaries and conservation research (www.healthyplanet.com/adoptionKits.shtml, no phone number).

Adopt a Vancouver Island marmot: Very cute but expensive, this package comes with a color poster, a newsletter and year-end reports on your individual marmot. Plush toys are available to be purchased separately for $19.95 ($10/month, www.marmots.org/subdir/adoption.html, 877-4MARMOT).