When they got married in 2002, Elizabeth Spees and Michael Robinson chose something different to put on their wedding gift wish list: farm animals.

The couple asked their guests to contribute to an "ark" through Heifer International, a nonprofit organization that provides livestock and agricultural training to impoverished families all over the world. Creating an ark means collecting $5,000, which goes toward education and sustainable development of Heifer projects in any one of 50 countries, including the U.S.

Their guests met that goal and more, which the Robinsons said was a joy because they wanted to help others rather than collect more stuff they did not need.

Heifer International's new online "Giving Registry" allows people to set up wish lists for milestones such as weddings, anniversaries, Bar Mitzvahs and birthdays; school and church fundraisers; or memorials for loved ones.

The Giving Registry is part of Heifer International's popular online gift catalog. Registrants select gifts they would like to receive, just as they would through a department-store gift registry. But instead of toaster ovens and china, Heifer's registry selections include everything from chickens to cows to water buffaloes. The livestock enables families to obtain milk, eggs, wool and other income-producing benefits to feed, clothe and educate their children.

Registrants can customize their own gift page, select honor cards and track donations.