Valentine's Day has a long, rich history that, according to one legend, dates back to third century Rome, where an imprisoned Saint Valentine sent the world's first "valentine" to his beloved. He signed it: "From your Valentine."

Given that more than 75 million households in the United States have a dog or cat—whereas about 60 million U.S. homes actually have two people in some sort of relationship living under the same roof—it might be time to expand the reach of St. Valentine's love to the animals, even those animals who should never, ever be confined to four walls. With this idea in mind, we have a number of ways you can help animals this Valentine's Day, whether they live with you or they live on a remote factory farm in rural Nebraska.

1. If anyone needs some love, it would have to be farm animals. Laying hens, pigs, and chickens on factory farms are among the most abused animals in the world. But you can help them by doing one thing: making smart food choices.

2. Chained dogs may have more room to roam than, say, a battery-caged hen, but these poor canines can suffer just as much from living life at the end of a tether. Dogs Deserve Better, a non-profit based in Pennsylvania, is working to improve the lives of chained dogs. You can read about the organization's Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week, February 7-14, and then perhaps take a look around your own neighborhood: Do any chained dogs in your 'hood need a little valentine?  And do their owners need a polite reminder about the dangers of tethering animals?

3. Of course, some dogs and cats have no homes at all. Literally millions of animals are just waiting for loving homes at your local shelter. And if you can't find the animal of your dreams there, then check out breed rescue groups, which may have just the pooch you're looking for. Either way, the best valentine you give may be the gift of opening your home to a homeless animal.

4. Yes, adopted animals make for wonderful companions, but sometimes they don't like to share. Specifically, they don't always like to share their guardians with anyone. That's why new relationships can be stressful to your pets. A new beau can spell big trouble if you don't manage the relationship between boyfriend and pet well. Fortunately, we have a valentine to offer you on how to make both relationships work.

5. Like a young man's fancy, skunks turn to love in February and March. The only problem is that with skunks, love truly can stink—particularly when a female rejects a potential suitor. So don't add insult to injury by trapping the poor skunks who wander into your neighborhood. We have a number of ways you can live with these docile, nomadic animals who may lurk under your porch or house. 

6. We all can use a little love when we're feeling down. Same goes for wildlife. You can provide that comfort while making a statement at the same time. Just donate your old furs or fur-trim items to our Coats for Cubs program, which in turn will distribute them to wildlife rehabilitators who will use the fur as warm bedding for orphaned and injured wildlife. Learn where you can drop off your unwanted fur items. While you're at it, learn how we're also working with the fashion industry in the hopes that designers will show fur-bearing animals a little love.

7. Some one billion Valentine's Day cards are sent through the mail each year, but how many are addressed to animals? You can change that by honoring your pet—or any other animal, including those beloved bipeds we call humans—by making a donation to The HSUS through our Hip, Hip Humane! program. In return, we'll send a personalized greeting card to the object of your affection. The program can honor animals while helping them at the same time. That's what we call a valentine.

8.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Our video on pets and Valentine's Day treats may prevent a thousand headaches. Watch and learn how to keep your pets safe on this chocolate-intensive holiday, while giving them the love they deserve.

9. And finally, because no Valentine's Day would be complete without a love story, we offer this tale of a man and his dog.