Charities benefit from online shoppers

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Contributing to a local charity may be low on the list this holiday shopping season. There is a way to shop 'til you drop and give at the same time.

Austin Pets Alive depends on donations from shoppers who use GoodShop.com and GoodSearch.com. The free search sites powered by Yahoo go hand in hand. Everytime someone shops online at more than one thousand popular stores such as Best Buy, Macy's and the Gap, the non-profit receive a percentage of the proceeds. A penny is donated every time someone searches under the organization's name.

"We really need these fees to help us accomplish our mission," said Gretchen Meyer with Austin Pets Alive. "GoodShop is such an easy way to do that."

The non-profit, run mostly by volunteers, aims to make Austin a "no-kill' city. They are currently caring for about 100 dogs. Medical costs are the largest expense.

"We have to raise about $100 per pet," said Meyer.

About 85,000 organizations have partnered with GoodShop.com, and that number continues to rise.

"We hear every single day from the organizations we work with that they are struggling this year because of the economy," said J.J. Ramberg, Co-Founder of GoodShop.com. "Donations are down at the same time that need is up."

Easter Seals of Central Texas recently received a check for about $50 representing about 5,000 searches on the site.

"Every little bit helps," said Kevin Coleman, President and CEO of Easter Seals of Central Texas. "Fifty dollars would support five hours of job coaching in our employment services program."

Whether it is helping locals with disabilities, or moving Austin closer to a 'no kill' city -- giving does not get much easier than this.