Animal rights organizations have been helping animals and their human friends for decades. From big-name groups like PETA and Mercy For Animals to smaller local organizations, there are so many ways to get involved with animal advocacy.
Here’s a list of some of the best groups out there—and why they’re so important:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Supporting animal rights organizations can be an effective way to create a positive change for animals through legal and legislative means. |
| 2. Teaching your kids about veganism and animal rights can be easy and fun with simple conversations about animal welfare, books, videos, and visits to animal sanctuaries. |
| 3. A plant-based diet can help feed more people while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water depletion, making it a sustainable solution for the future. |
| 4. Scientific evidence supports the health benefits of a vegan diet, as it can lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. |
| 5. Choosing a vegan diet can help reduce your carbon footprint, save water, and combat climate change, which is heavily impacted by animal agriculture. |
The Animal Welfare Institute
The Animal Welfare Institute is an international nonprofit organization that promotes the protection of animals and public policy based on human, animal, and environmental welfare.
The Institute was founded in 1951 as the American Humane Association’s Humane Research Council, by R. Douglas Stuart. The name was changed to its present form in 2008 after a merger with the Fund for Animals.
In Defense of Animals
In Defense of Animals (IDA) is a leading international animal protection organization. Since its founding in 1983, IDA has been at the forefront of pioneering animal rights initiatives. Their mission is to protect animals in the wild and in captivity; end animal cruelty; and promote compassionate vegan living.
In 2014, IDA launched the Animal Guardian Award—a prestigious award given each year to an individual who has made significant contributions to improving animal welfare or advancing human-animal bond issues. Past recipients include Pamela Anderson, Bill Maher and James Cromwell.
According to our article on The Top 15 Animal Rights Organizations to Support and Get Involved With, “supporting animal rights organizations can be an effective way to create a positive change for animals through legal and legislative means.”
Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is a national nonprofit organization that protects farm animals from cruelty, abuse, and neglect through rescue, education, and advocacy. Farm Sanctuary’s vision is a world where all farm animals are treated with kindness and respect.
The organization currently operates three shelters in New York and California—including the nation’s largest vegan animal sanctuary—and has saved more than 20,000 animals since 1986. In addition to rescuing animals from factory farms, slaughterhouses, research laboratories and other cruel situations; providing lifelong care for them at its sanctuaries; educating the public about the realities of modern agriculture; advocating laws & policies that promote compassion toward farmed animals
The Humane League
The Humane League is a non-profit organization that works to end animal abuse through public education, grassroots outreach and corporate campaigns.
The organization’s goal is to create a world where animals are treated with respect and compassion.
“Teaching your kids about veganism and animal rights can be easy and fun with our guide on 15 Simple Ways to Teach Your Kids About Veganism and Animal Rights. Start with simple conversations about animal welfare and include books, videos, and visits to animal sanctuaries.”
Peta
PETA has been one of the largest animal rights organizations in the world since its inception in 1980. It boasts an international presence, with offices in Germany and India; it also has offices in Australia and Hong Kong.
PETA was founded by Ingrid Newkirk, who continues to be its president today. In addition to advocating for animals through public outreach and education programs, PETA also helps rescue animals from abuse or neglect situations every day and then gives them loving homes when they can’t be returned to their original owners.
Humane Society of the United States
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has a long history of fighting for animals and is currently the largest animal protection organization in the US. The HSUS has a wide range of programs and initiatives, including:
- the largest pet sheltering program in the country that provides direct care to over 6 million animals each year through its 250+ shelters across North America;
- an educational arm that teaches more than 5 million children about compassion for animals each year;
- an international arm dedicated to ending cruelty within our borders and around the world;
And more!
Mercy for Animals
Mercy For Animals is a non-profit organization that works to end the suffering of farmed animals, who are often subjected to unimaginable cruelties in the name of profit. They’re a 501(c)(3) charity, so your donations will be tax deductible.
As our article on Why Veganism Is the Future of Food explains, “a plant-based diet has the potential to feed more people, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water depletion, making it a sustainable solution for the future.”
The Good Food Institute
The Good Food Institute is a non-profit organization that works to create a healthy, humane, and sustainable food supply.
They work on a variety of issues, including: lab animal welfare, plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, clean meat (real meat grown outside the body), and cultured fish (fish grown out of cells).
| Information | Data |
|---|---|
| Type | Nonprofit organization |
| Focus | Creating a healthy, humane, and sustainable food supply |
| Areas of work | Lab animal welfare, plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, clean meat, cultured fish |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
| Mission | To promote and advance the use of alternatives to animal agriculture that are delicious, nourishing, and accessible |
| Notable initiatives | Plant-Based Policy and Innovation, The Clean Meat and Dairy Initiative, The Sustainable Seafood Initiative |
| Website | gfi.org |
Friends Of Animals.org and United Poultry Concerns
Friends of Animals.org is an animal rights organization that works to reduce the cruelty of factory farming by promoting plant-based diets, humane treatment of animals, and public awareness campaigns.
United Poultry Concerns is an educational nonprofit that promotes respect for chickens, ducks and other domestic fowl through education and advocacy.
They advocate for animal rights through research on issues such as egg production and slaughtering methods.
You can help support their cause by donating or volunteering your time at their sanctuary where they provide sanctuary to hundreds of rescued fowl from factory farms.
“The scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports the health benefits of a vegan diet,” according to our article on The Health Benefits of a Vegan Diet: The Science Behind It All. “Studies have shown that a plant-based diet can lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.”
Beagle Freedom Project and Cruelty Free International
Beagle Freedom Project (BFP) is a non-profit organization that rescues and rehomes beagles used in animal testing.
BFP works to provide a home for all animals rescued from laboratories and shelters across the United States, as well as educate the public about their cause.
Cruelty Free International is a non-profit organization that campaigns against animal testing. With over two million members across 75 countries, Cruelty Free International aims to end animal cruelty by promoting alternatives to animal testing worldwide through education and scientific research programs.
Last Chance For Animals
Last Chance for Animals (LCA) is a national animal protection organization that works to protect animals and expose cruelty to animals. The LCA has been active since 1989, and is based in Los Angeles, California.
LCA focuses on ending factory farming; promoting responsible pet ownership; preventing animal testing; protecting wild animals from exploitation through hunting, trapping, poaching and habitat destruction; establishing legal rights for companion animals; educating the public about responsible treatment of others’ property
Action For Dolphins (A4D)
Action for Dolphins (A4D) is a non-profit organization that works to stop the exploitation of dolphins and whales. The organization is based in San Francisco, California.
A4D’s mission is to stop the killing of dolphins and whales, respect their rights as individuals, and protect them from harm by educating people about their intelligence and behavior.
They use nonviolent resistance tactics such as rallies, protests and marches to raise awareness on these issues among people who otherwise wouldn’t be interested in animal rights movements.
Did you know that the environmental impact of animal agriculture is one of the leading causes of climate change?” Our article on The Environmental Impact of a Vegan Diet: You’ll Be Shocked explains, “by choosing a vegan diet, you can reduce your carbon footprint, save water, and help combat climate change.
Farm Forward
This organization is committed to creating a more just and sustainable food system. The organization’s mission statement says that it believes in building a future where everyone has access to healthy, delicious food grown by people who are treated fairly.
Farm Forward works to end factory farming and create healthier, more humane alternatives. They also strive to protect the environment by promoting sustainable agriculture practices that don’t harm our planet or deplete its natural resources.
Their initiatives include helping farmers transition away from factory farming practices and encouraging consumers to buy meat without antibiotics or hormones through their Eat Well Guide shopping app or website
Animal Place
Animal Place is a sanctuary for farmed animals in Northern California. It’s also a nonprofit organization that works to end animal agriculture and promote plant-based living.
The organization was founded by Kim Sturla, who was inspired by her own experience working at an animal shelter. Sturla saw how easy it was for people to adopt cats and dogs from the shelter, but that cows, pigs, chickens and other farmed animals had no such protection.
In 1999 she founded Animal Place with the goal of giving these animals a safe place where they could live out their lives while receiving proper care and treatment.
| Information | Data |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern California |
| Type | Sanctuary for farmed animals |
| Focus | Promoting plant-based living and ending animal agriculture |
| Nonprofit status | Yes |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Mission | To provide refuge, care, and advocacy for farmed animals and to promote plant-based living |
| Known for | Providing lifetime care for rescued animals, including cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, and more |
| Website | animalplace.org |
Conclusion
If you’re looking to get involved in animal rights, it can be hard to know where to start. The organizations listed here are all leaders in their field and have a proven track record of making real change happen.
They all have different approaches and philosophies, so choose one or two that resonate with your values, then check out their website for more information about how they work or what they do.
You can also read through their mission statements and see which ones align closely with yours before deciding which organization(s) will become part of your life.
As always when supporting an organization, make sure that it’s doing good work according to its mission statement and vision for the future—and not just taking donations from anyone who wants some tax write-off!
Further reading
Here are some additional resources to learn more about animal charities and nonprofits:
Top 14 Animal Nonprofits to Donate to in 2022: This article provides a list of animal nonprofits based on their effectiveness and transparency, highlighting their mission and impact.
Best Animal Charities in 2022: Donorbox’s blog post features a wide range of animal charities that focus on animal welfare, protection, and rescue, accompanied by short descriptions and ways to donate.
Best Animal Rescue Charities: This article provides an extensive list of animal rescue charities with brief descriptions of their work, along with information on their accountability, transparency, and impact.
FAQs
What is the difference between an animal charity and an animal rescue charity?
An animal charity typically works to protect and improve the overall wellbeing of animals, including through advocacy, education, and research. In contrast, animal rescue charities focus on rescuing and rehabilitating animals from situations involving neglect, abuse, and abandonment.
How do I know if an animal charity is legitimate and trustworthy?
Look for organizations that are transparent about their financials and impact, and have a good rating from watchdog organizations like Charity Navigator and Guidestar. Additionally, consider checking their reviews and ratings from donors and volunteers.
Are there international animal charities that I can support?
Yes, there are several animal charities that work internationally, including World Animal Protection, Animals Asia, and Compassion in World Farming. You can typically find information on their websites about their impact in various countries and how to donate.
Can I volunteer at an animal rescue charity?
Many animal rescue charities rely on volunteers to help with animal care, adoption events, fundraising, and administrative tasks. Check their websites or inquire directly to learn more about their volunteer programs and opportunities.
What are some ways to support animal charities without donating money?
In addition to donating money, you can support animal charities by sharing their mission on social media, volunteering your time, and signing petitions and lobbying for animal welfare laws. Additionally, consider adopting animals from shelters or fostering them until they find their forever homes.
Hi! My name is Hellen James, and I’m a vegan lifestyle enthusiast. I’ve been living the vegan lifestyle for over 10 years now, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The food is amazing, the community is incredible, and there’s no way I could go back after experiencing all this firsthand.
