Whether you’re looking to honor a beloved family member, obtain a last-minute tax deduction for 2019, or you just want to commit an act of kindness, donating to a worthy animal organization is always a wonderful (and heartwarming!) option.
To come up with this year’s list of 30 great animal organizations worthy of your donations, we scoured the globe for rescues, foundations, and other groups dedicated to improving the lives of all types of animals. We based our search on a variety of factors, including:
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- The organization’s mission statement
- Percentage of donations that go straight to helping animals
- Positive impact on local communities
- Overall reach of animals helped
- The organization’s ratings by various third-party charity watchdogs
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Animals are unable to speak up for themselves, which is why so many around the world depend on the tireless work of empathetic humans. While we were unable to include every worthy animal organization on this year’s list, we encourage you to find and support any other animal organization that fits your interests.
African Wildlife Foundation
What the African Wildlife Foundation Does: More and more people are choosing Africa’s best wildlife countries as their vacation destinations. But these same countries are struggling with creating and implementing laws that will protect the wildlife. The African Wildlife Foundation is one of the largest organizations currently working to combat the many dangers posed to Africa’s most vulnerable animals. These include the rhinoceros, the hippopotamus, the lion, the cheetah, and the gorillas, to name a few. In an effort to slow the decline of these animal populations to poaching, the African Wildlife Foundation works to conserve populations through:
- community empowerment
- economic development
- land and habitat protection
Donations: An impressive 87% of all donations goes directly to implementing the African Wildlife Foundation’s many programs. To read about the myriad ways you can support the African Wildlife Foundation, follow the link here.
The AfriCat Foundation
What The AfriCat Foundation Does: The country of Namibia is home to 25% of the world’s cheetah population. Ninety percent of those Namibian cheetahs live on farmland, which puts their lives in danger from farmers trying to protect their livestock. The same can be said for the country’s 1,000 lions, and its leopards, wild dogs, and hyenas. The AfriCat Foundation works tirelessly to protect Namibia’s cheetahs and other large carnivores through long-term conservation efforts that include:
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- Working with farmers to come up with alternative, carnivore-safe methods of protecting livestock
- Educating Namibia’s youngest citizens about the importance of protecting the country’s wildlife
- Monitoring at-risk populations of cheetahs, leopards, and lions
- Running two conservation centers that focus on the rescue and rehabilitation of large cats
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Donations: Monetary donations are the best way to help The AfriCat Foundation achieve its mission of protecting Namibia’s large cats and carnivores. Find out all the ways you can donate to AfriCat here.
Alley Cat Allies
What Alley Cat Allies Does: Cat lovers, this one is just for you! It is estimated that 3.4 million cats enter the American shelter system each year. Of those, about 1.4 million are euthanized. Alley Cat Allies is a national organization working to decrease these heartbreaking numbers through a series of programs. One of the Allies’ most successful initiatives is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), through which community cats are humanely trapped, neutered, vaccinated, and returned outdoors to live out their lives (without creating new ones!). Alley Cat Allies works with shelters and rescue groups across the country to facilitate the humane treatment and rescue of cats however possible.
Donations: Alley Cat Allies is a registered nonprofit organization that gladly accepts donations for their various life-saving programs. You can get involved and donate to help save the lives of cats here.
American Wild Horse Campaign
What the American Wild Horse Campaign Does: All over the country, wild horses are being rounded up and removed from their natural habitats. Because not every wild mustang can be privately sold, most end up in slaughterhouses. The American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) is a non-profit organization that works toward the goal of protecting America’s wild horses and burros “by stopping the federal government’s systematic elimination of these national icons from our public lands.” AWHC seeks to achieve this goal through a variety of methods, including:
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- Education and advocacy via community outreach, social media, and the mainstream media
- In-the-wild management which includes the administration of PZP, a humane and scientifically-proven equine birth control vaccine
- Lobbying for legislation that would protect America’s wild horses and burros
- Actively supporting relevant litigation
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Donations: Donations made to the American Wild Horse Campaign go straight to helping wild mustangs and burros through the non-profit organization’s many programs. Those who share AWHC’s goal of protecting wild horses as part of the national heritage can pledge their support in a variety of ways. Find out more here.
Animal Equality
What Animal Equality Does: Animal Equality is an international organization dedicated to improving the lives and treatment of farm animals. Opposed to large factory farms, Animal Equality advocates for smaller, family-run farms in the United States, United Kingdom, Mexico, Germany, Spain, Italy, Brazil, and India. The organization:
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- Investigates large facilities to ensure transparency and the humane treatment of animals
- Produces educational materials to raise public awareness of the treatment of farm animals
- Partners with large corporations to improve the lives of animals living on farms
- Uses legal advocacy to advance animal protection laws
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Donations: Animal Charity Evaluators is an independent watchdog group specifically for animal-related organizations. It has declared Animal Equality one of the top animal protection organizations in the world every year since 2014. To help Animal Equality succeed in helping animals all over the world, a donation can be made here.
Animal Rescue Corps
What Animal Rescue Corps Does: Animal Rescue Corps works towards the mission of ending “animal suffering through direct and compassionate action, and to inspire the highest ethical standards of humanity towards animals.” In other words, when an animal or animal population is in trouble, it’s Animal Rescue Corps that shows up to help. As outlined on its website, Animal Rescue Corps fulfills three crucial tasks:
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- Rescue animals who have been the victims of abuse or natural disaster
- Campaign for public awareness about animal suffering
- Support animal shelters and their staff by offering training and assessments
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Donations: Animal Rescue Corps provides supporters with a number of ways to help. You can make a one-time donation, or you can join the Corps’s Band of Angels and donate monthly. Donors who give $20 or more even receive an Animal Rescue Corps t-shirt. Animal Rescue Corps is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all donations are tax deductible. Donations can be made here.
Animal Welfare Institute
What the Animal Welfare Institute Does: Established in 1951, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) seeks to “alleviate the suffering inflicted on animals by people.” To reach such a challenging goal, AWI works closely with policymakers, scientists, industry leaders, and the public to identify alternatives to the various problems and dangers facing animals both wild and domestic. Some of AWI’s most urgent goals include:
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- Abolishing factory farms while supporting family farms and advocating for the humane slaughter of animals raised for food
- Advocating for better laws to protect companion animals from cruelty and violence
- Ending the use of steel-jaw leghold traps for capturing wildlife
- Improving the living conditions of research animals
- Helping to preserve species threatened by extinction
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Donations: Animal Welfare Institute consistently receives an A+ rating from the watchdog group CharityWatch. Ninety percent of donations made to AWI go toward the organization’s various programs. Prospective donors have a variety of options for giving, all of which you can learn about here.
Best Friends Animal Society
What Best Friends Does: “Save them all!” That’s the motto and mission of Best Friends Animal Society, a non-profit organization which has become a leading force in the no-kill movement. At the center of Best Friends is more than 20,000 acres of sanctuary on which 1,600+ animals are able to live, heal, and find love. More than 30,000 people visit the Best Friends Sanctuary annually, many of whom choose to adopt an animal they meet. In addition to running the Sanctuary, Best Friends:
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- Works to support smaller rescues across the country
- Organizes public education campaigns throughout the U.S.
- Runs public awareness campaigns and legislative work to combat puppy mills
- Implements trap-neuter-return programs for stray cats
- Advocates for pit bull-type dogs as family dogs, and fights breed-discriminatory laws
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Donations: All donations made to Best Friends Animal Society go straight to helping animals both at the Best Friends Sanctuary and through the various outreach programs. Ways to give include: one-time donations, monthly donations, sponsorship, memorial gifts, planned giving, and more. Help Best Friends Animal Society here.
Born Innocent
What Born Innocent Does: Each year, the United Kingdom seizes and euthanizes thousands of pit bull-type dogs under its Dangerous Dogs Act. But these dogs are not killed because they have proven themselves dangerous. They are killed because they are deemed “type” via an inconsistent and unscientific method of measuring various body parts. Seized dogs spend an average of 4-9 months sitting in police kennels of undisclosed location, and dog owners are often forced to spend thousands of pounds if they have any hope of seeing their beloved pets released. Dogs who are not found “type” are released, yet forced to follow various restrictions that greatly affect their daily lives. Fortunately, Born Innocent exists to campaign for:
- breed neutral legislation using scientific facts
- advocate for bite prevention outside of breed-focused strategies
- offer lawyers and financial resources to the families of seized dogs.
Donations: Born Innocent is a UK-based organization that asks supporters around the world to “raise their paws for better laws.” Their website outlines various ways all dog lovers can get involved in repealing Britain’s Breed Specific Legislation. Supporters outside of the UK can also make financial donations which go towards campaigning and lobbying for both specific dogs and overall legal change. Support Born Innocent here.
CANTER USA
What CANTER Does: Each year, 20,000 Thoroughbred horses are born on American farms with hopes that they’ll make it to the race track. Of those 20,000 horses, about half of them end up in slaughterhouses. CANTER is short for the Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses. This national organization works tirelessly to help these retired racehorses avoid the slaughterhouse and find new opportunities in new careers. Horses are networked via social media. When possible, they are set up in foster homes for training.
Donations: Every dollar donated to CANTER goes to providing retired racehorses with:
- a temporary place to stay
- food
- medical care
- training
CANTER is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tax deductible donations in the name of your favorite horse or horse lover can be made here.
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
What The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International Does: The Gorilla Fund is an international organization intent on continuing the groundbreaking work started by legendary scientist Dian Fossey. The Fund’s work includes four key parts:
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- Daily protection of the gorillas in vulnerable areas
- Education programs aimed at the next generation of scientists and conservationists
- Scientific research on gorillas and the places in which they live
- Economic development of the communities around which the gorillas live
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The Gorilla Fund works mainly in the areas in and around the Virunga Mountains of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, and Rwanda. Thanks to their efforts, the mountain gorilla is currently the only wild ape with a growing population.
Donations: The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International offers a number of options to help protect the world’s gorillas. One-time donations are always accepted. You may also choose to become a monthly donor, travel with the Fund to Rwanda to see the gorillas, or symbolically adopt a mountain gorilla. Find out more about these donation options here.
Florida Greyhound Rescues
What Florida Greyhound Rescues Do: During the 2018 mid-term elections, the state of Florida overwhelmingly voted to phase out greyhound racing by the end of 2020. While this may be good news, it also leaves about 8,000 dogs in need of homes this year. Greyhound-specific rescue groups — many of which already work at capacity — will have more dogs than ever in need of help. This is an excellent time to support those rescues. In addition to taking in the dogs from tracks and shelters, these rescues teach the former racers how to be family dogs. They then screen potential families to find just the right fit.
Donations: Each rescue works independently, so potential donors should research the greyhound rescue that best fits their interests and shares their goals. A few Florida-based greyhound rescues which will be doing their part to help these beautiful dogs include:
Flying Fur Animal Rescue
What Flying Fur Animal Rescue Does: Flying Fur Animal Rescue mainly consists of Paul Steklenski. The U.S. Army veteran and pilot transports rescue dogs up and down the East Coast, from high kill shelters to rescues and other places they’re more likely to be adopted. Inspired by his own dog, Tessa, Steklenski provides air transport because it’s almost always the safest, fastest, and most reliable way to move an animal who is simply out of time.
Donations: The average life-saving flight costs $500, and Steklenski often pays for this out-of-pocket. Last year, Steklenski spent nearly $10,000 of his own money to transport animals in need. Flying Fur Animal Rescue, an IRS recognized 501(c)(c3) organization, is in constant need of funding and donations. Go here to donate to Flying Fur Animal Rescue.
Hearts United for Animals
What Hearts United for Animals Does: Hearts United for Animals believes that all dogs deserve to live happily and healthily with people who love them. To fulfill this belief, Hearts United for Animals runs a massive no-kill animal shelter and sanctuary that takes in pets in need from all over the United States. Dogs receive required medical care before being placed for adoption. Dogs who are unable to be placed due to health or behavioral issues are allowed to live out their lives at the Hearts United for Animals Sanctuary. Additionally, this worthy organization has:
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- Prevented more than 1 million births by offering free or low-cost spay and neuter services
- Rescued over 10,000 dogs from puppy mills
- Provided temporary shelter for animals of families escaping domestic violence or other transitional situations
- Established the JetSet Dogs program to transport dogs to forever homes across the country
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Donations: Hearts United for Animals positively affects an astounding number of dogs each year. However, what it does would not be possible without the financial support of donors. Hearts United for Animals is a non-profit IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organization, and all donations are tax deductible. Show your support for Hearts United for Animals here.
K9s for Warriors
What K9s for Warriors Does: For many troops, returning from duty isn’t exactly the happy homecoming everyone hopes for. K9s for Warriors helps returning service members reintegrate to civilian life with dignity and independence by pairing them with a service canine. The majority of dogs are rescued from shelters, and each is trained to provide its Warrior with the love, affection, and devotion that only a dog can provide. As of November 2019, nearly 1,100 dogs and 580 service members have been rescued by K9s for Warriors.
Donations: K9s for Warriors is a non-profit and tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Supporters have a variety of options for helping, including purchasing from the official K9 for Warriors shop, donating a dog or puppy, and giving a financial gift. Gifts can be made here.
Leave the Gate Open Equine Slaughter Savers
What Leave the Gate Open Does: Leave the Gate Open has a simple mission: save as many horses, ponies, and donkeys from the slaughterhouse as possible. Thousands of equines a year are sold at auction by their owners (some well-meaning and others not so well-meaning). Unfortunately, the majority of auction buyers are slaughterhouses. Kendra Nelson, founder and main force behind Leave the Gate Open, tirelessly networks and fundraises individual animals to buyers near and far. Nelson’s weighty task usually means that horses are networked straight from their kill pens with only days or hours left for rescue.
Donations: Leave the Gate Open Equine Slaughter Savers does not have an official website, but can be found on Facebook. Those who wish to help are not required to buy a horse, pony, or donkey. General donations can be made via PayPal, or you can follow the Facebook page to help individual animals as the need arises.
Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm
What Old Friends Does: When he got the news that Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand had died in a slaughterhouse, horse lover Micheal Blowen decided to establish Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm. Today, this farm in Kentucky is home to myriad Thoroughbred champions who have been retired from racing and/or a breeding career. These include:
- 11 Eclipse Award winners
- 10 Breeders’ Cup champs
- two Hall of Famers
- a Dubai World Cup winner
- two Horses of the Year
By providing a home for them, Old Friends often saves these beloved horses from ending up in slaughterhouses.
Donations: Old Friends is a 501 (c) 3 organization which operates solely on grants, tour revenues, annual fundraisers, and donations from generous supporters. Money goes to the general care of the horses. To make a donation, and to find out how else you can help the retired champions of Old Friends, head here.
Pets for Vets
What Pets for Vets Does: With chapters nationwide, Pets for Vets helps brave troops return to civilian life by connecting them with a companion animal rescued from a shelter. Rescued animals receive training in various skills, then are carefully matched with just the right veteran. The result is a new “leash” on life for both the pet and the vet. Indeed, Pets for Vets has found that veterans who get a companion animal are more likely to remain physically active, overcome trauma, regain confidence, and be more social, among countless other benefits.
Donations: Pets for Vets is a 501(c)(3) organization, so donors receive tax deductions. Donations go towards the rescue and training of pets, along with the creation of the Welcome Package that provides the veterans with all of the equipment they’ll need to care for their new companion. Learn more about Pets for Vets and find out how you can donate here.
The Puppy Mill Project
What The Puppy Mill Project Does: When you see a cute puppy in a pet store or on some internet outlets, you might not think about that puppy’s parents and the conditions into which that puppy may have been born. Unfortunately, the stories don’t tend to be positive. The Puppy Mill Project seeks to shed light on the cruelty that so often plagues “puppy mill” breeding operations. The Project sheds light on them through various education, outreach, and advocacy initiatives. The Puppy Mill Project also works with organizations nationwide to facilitate rescue of puppy mill breeding dogs across the country.
Donations: The Puppy Mill Project relies on the financial gifts of donors to rescue and transport dogs in need, and to fund its education initiatives. It’s an IRS-recognized non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, as well as a recognized Illinois Nonprofit Organization. Those who share The Puppy Mill Project’s goals of rescuing breeding dogs and ending puppy mills forever can donate here.
Red Rover
What Red Rover Does: When a natural disaster occurs or authorities discover an animal hoarding case, local shelters and rescues are often overwhelmed by the sudden intake of animals. They’re forced to euthanize in order to make space. Enter Red Rover, a fantastic animal organization that uses innovative solutions to keep animals safe in the face of sudden danger. These innovative solutions include:
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- Providing financial assistance and resources to low-income individuals and victims of domestic violence, to ensure families who want to stay together are able
- Gifting grants to owners and Good Samaritans who are faced with having to suddenly fund lifesaving veterinary care
- Setting up and operating temporary shelters to care for large numbers of animals displaced by storms, floods, fires, and other emergency situations
- Providing educators with tools and resources for teaching children about empathy towards animals
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Donations: Red Rover relies on volunteers and donations to continue its important work caring for animals and pet owners in times of tragedy. A mere $15 can provide one night of boarding for a pet whose family is escaping domestic violence, while $100 can remove an animal from a dangerous or abusive situation. To make a donation of any size, follow the link here.
Rescue Dogs Rock NYC
What Rescue Dogs Rock NYC Does: In many shelters around the country, dogs who are sick or injured are automatically euthanized. Rescue Dogs Rock NYC is a non-profit organization. It coordinates with shelters, rescue groups, veterinarians, and transporters across America to rescue animals in need of immediate care, regardless of cost and initial location. Time and again, Rescue Dogs Rock NYC has proven that it will go above and beyond to ensure a dog has the best shot at life. Once a dog has regained its optimal health, it is vaccinated and microchipped before being placed in a loving adoptive home.
Donations: A rescue group dedicated to giving a second chance to sick and injured dogs is constantly in need of donations. As stated on Rescue Dogs Rock NYC’s website, “It is our belief that no injured or abused animal should lose its life simply due to lack of funds.” All donations received by Rescue Dogs Rock NYC go towards helping dogs in need. Donate here.
The Sato Project
What The Sato Project Does: The Sato Project exists to rescue abused and/or abandoned dogs from Puerto Rico. The group works primarily in the town of Yubacoa and the area known as Dead Dog Beach. This is a desolate area and a primary dumping ground for dogs. The Sato Project deals with some of the worst abuse and abandonment in the world, and its tasks are mighty. Among the Project’s many responsibilities are:
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- Caring for the dogs at Dead Dog Beach: Since Hurricane Maria, the beach has become the headquarter location for FEMA and Homeland Security, both of which have agreed to partner with The Sato Project to keep them up-to-date on the appearances of new dogs. Still, The Sato Project remains the dogs’ only source for food, fresh water, and love.
- Fulfilling Any and All Veterinary Needs: The Sato Project works with an incredible team of veterinarians to provide both preventative and emergency care for Puerto Rico’s dogs. A “healthy” dog is spayed or neutered, while a sick dog receives any medical treatment required.
- Transport to the United States: Adoptable dogs are transported from Puerto Rico to either JFK or Newark, where they are met by fosters, rescue groups, and adopters.
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Donations: The Sato Project is dedicated for life to each and every dog it rescues. The Project spends an average of $1,200 on each dog, not including flights to the United States. More than 2,700 dogs have been saved by The Sato Project since 2011. This is thanks to the generous donors who support the difficult work the Project does. To make a one-time or recurring donation, follow the link here.
Skydog Sanctuary
What Skydog Sanctuary Does: It’s a tough time for wild mustangs. Populations everywhere are under attack from many entities, both private and federal. Fortunately, there exist places like Skydog Sanctuary. It works tirelessly to rescue mustangs from across America. Skydog Sanctuary allows wild rescued mustangs to live out their lives peacefully on 9,000 acres near Bend, Oregon. Skydog also operates two additional facilities in Southern California. Through their sanctuaries, Skydog hopes to increase public awareness of the plight of mustangs, and to show that wild horses can co-exist peacefully on the open range.
Donations: Money donated to Skydog Sanctuary goes towards the rescue of wild mustangs from kill pens, auctions, and holdings; the horses’ transport to the Skydog Sanctuary in Oregon; and any care and treatment required. You can read all about Skydog’s rescued mustangs, and donate towards their cause, here.
Photo courtesy of The Stand Up for Pits Foundation
Stand Up For Pits Foundation
What Stand Up For Pits Foundation Does: Rebecca Corry, founder of Stand Up For Pits Foundation (SUFP), has built this organization based on the assertion that “Abuse and discrimination is wrong. Whether the abused or discriminated has two legs or four, it is wrong.” In this case, Corry and her national organization focus on pit bull-type dogs. These dogs are misunderstood, abused, abandoned, discriminated against, and in many places, are systematically killed based on nothing more than they way they look. Each year, SUFP sponsors a variety of events to educate the public about pit bull-type dogs. These events include:
- spay and neuter clinics
- comedy shows hosted by actress (and fellow pibble advocate) Kaley Cuoco
- donation drives
- merchandise fundraisers
- the 24/7 manning of a hotline to report dog fighting
In 2015, Corry and the foundation organized a Million Pibble March on Washington to shed light on the ineffectualness of Breed Specific Legislation.
Donations: SUFP is a recognized 501(c)(3). All donations are tax deductible. 100% of donations go to helping pit bull-type dogs through the foundation’s full calendar of benefits and other events. Make your donation, or find out about other ways to help this worthy organization, here.
Susie’s Senior Dogs
What Susie’s Senior Dogs Does: Susie’s Senior Dogs was founded in 2014 by Erin and Brandon, a dog-loving couple. They were shocked by the negative responses they received when they took in a 12-year old dog called Susie. To combat the stigma associated with adopting senior dogs, Susie’s Senior Dogs uses social media to promote specific dogs in need of adoption and advocate for the love of older pets. Since its founding, Susie’s Senior Dogs has helped the adoption of more than 1,200 senior dogs across the United States.
Donations: Susie’s Senior Dogs relies on monetary donations and social media support to help senior dogs who are struggling to find homes due to the stigma surrounding their age. Donations are often used to sponsor a dog’s transport, veterinary care, training, etc. Following Susie’s Senior Dogs’s various social media accounts and sharing adoptable dogs is free and invaluable, but those also wishing to make a monetary donation can do so here. Susie’s Senior Dogs is a 501(c)(3) IRS-recognized organization.
Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF)
What ARF Does: Baseball legend Tony La Russa was inspired to found his Animal Rescue Foundation after a stray cat found its way into the dugout. Since 1991, ARF has rescued and homed more than 40,000 dogs and cats. Nearly all of them have come from “death row” in high-kill shelters. In addition to pet adoptions, ARF facilitates a variety of necessary services in communities, including:
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- Low-cost spay and neuter services
- Pets and Vets
- ARF All-Stars school program
- Pet Hug Pack therapy program
- Camp ARF for children during the summer
- ARF Emergency Medical Fund
- And more
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Donations: ARF is a privately funded 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It depends entirely on donors to fund its rescues and programs. An impressive 87 cents of every donated dollar goes directly to these causes. ARF has held a four-star rating (the highest possible rating achieved by only 1% of charities) from Charity Navigator for 12 consecutive years. You can donate to ARF here.
Wings of Rescue
What Wings of Rescue Does: Far too many healthy and adoptable pets are being euthanized in shelters every day. To help combat this, Wings of Rescue flies dogs and cats from overcrowded, high-kill shelters to other shelters with empty kennels and waiting adopters. The group ensures that a pet flown on Wings of Rescue will never be euthanized, and that another animal will never be killed to make room for a Wings of Rescue recipient. As of November 2019, Wings of Rescue has flown more than 7,100 animals to safety to and from 42 states, three Canadian provinces, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Donations: Wings of Rescue is a non-profit organization that relies entirely on donations to transport animals to safety. All of the organization’s partner pilots are volunteer. To help Wings of Rescue save more animals from high-kill shelters, please donate here.
Your Local Rescue Group
What Your Local Rescue Does: We’ve tried to showcase national groups on our list of great animal organizations worthy of your donations, but please don’t forget about your local rescue groups. These groups tend to be small but mighty. The animals they pull from local shelters are fostered by volunteers, provided with any required medical care, and put up for adoption.
Donations: Because local rescue groups rarely have massive budgets or celebrity endorsements, fundraising is a crucial part of what they do. To donate to a local rescue group, do a little research.
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- Google “animal rescue groups” in your city and state. Are you looking for a rescue that takes in all cats? All dogs? All types of animals? Perhaps you love Beagles or Golden Retrievers and want to donate specifically to a rescue that helps your favorite type of dog. They exist, we assure you!
- Read the local rescue’s mission statement to ensure it aligns with your own beliefs.
- Make sure the rescue group is a nonprofit and recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3).
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Want to do more than just give to help your local rescue? Ask how you can volunteer! Volunteers are always needed to transport dogs, help out at fundraisers, and foster.
Your Local Shelter or Humane Society
What Your Local Shelter Does: No matter where you live, you have a local shelter and/or humane society that helps homeless pets in your community. These organizations are almost always expected to operate on very small budgets. With these funds they are required to take in homeless and surrendered pets, provide basic veterinary care, and promote adoptable animals. Many shelters have high euthanasia rates because there are just not enough volunteers, kennels, and resources for all the animals needing help.
Donations: Animal shelters and humane societies are always in need of donations. While money is always appreciated, you may also consider giving a gift of:
- dog or cat food
- pet beds
- paper towels
- collars and leashes
- crates
- anything else shelter animals need
If you’re unsure about what would be most helpful, place a call to your local shelter and ask for their current wishlist.
Your Local Low-Cost Spay and Neuter Organization
What Your Local Low-Cost Spay and Neuter Organization Does: Did you know cats can give birth to three litters each year, resulting in 180 kittens over the course of the average lifetime? Dogs are also capable of birthing three litters annually, with each litter averaging about seven puppies. If you do the math, that means that a single female dog and her puppies can produce a whopping 67,000 puppies in only six years. No wonder euthanasia rates in American shelters are so high! Thankfully, more and more low-cost spay and neuter organizations are popping up all over the United States. These organizations typically run clinics that focus on providing the local community with low-cost options when it comes to “fixing” their dogs and preventing the increase in population of unwanted animals.
Donations: Simply Google “low-cost spay and neuter near me” to find local organizations. Alternatively, you can contact your local animal shelter or rescue group to find out which low-cost clinics they recommend. However you find the right organization, donations can be made to help cover the veterinary costs of providing these life-saving services.
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