American Humane Society: As the first national humane organization, founded 150 years ago, AHS’ goal is to rescue, care for and protect animals by taking action wherever and whenever they are in need. AHS created the first certification programs for the humane treatment of farm animals and No Animals Were Harmed films and TV series. Americanhumane.org.
Animal Legal Defense Fund: Files high-impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm, provides free legal assistance and training to prosecutors in their fight against animal cruelty, supports animal protection legislation and provides resources and opportunities to law students and professionals to advance the field of animal law. Their site keeps track of current legislation and laws. aldf.org.
Animal Protection and Rescue League: An entirely volunteer-run nonprofit that works to protect the rights and habitats of all animals. A PRL has helped pass animal protection legislation, won dozens of court cases to protect animals, conducted numerous animal rescues, and educated hundreds of thousands of people about humane eating. aprl.org
Animal Welfare Institute: Founded in 1951 to reduce the sum total of pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans.
Cruelty Free International: an animal protection and advocacy group that campaigns for the abolition of all animal experiments. They organize certification of cruelty-free products which are marked with the symbol of a leaping bunny.
Humane World for Animals: Formerly Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International, this group has worked for more than 70 years to create change for animals. Since 1954, we have helped pass thousands of local and national laws protecting animals in issues from factory farming to puppy mills.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): This high-profile animal rights group is the world’s largest animal rights organization, boasting over 10.4 million members and supporters globally. PETA focuses on four core areas where the largest numbers of animals suffer: laboratories, the food industry, the clothing trade and the entertainment industry. Peta.org
Doobert: Chris Roy has used his technology expertise to help network organizations and individuals to help save animals in many ways; one of the most powerful being to connect volunteer drivers with opportunities to transport animals to safety and new homes.
Animal Transportation Association: Members are companies that provide a variety of ways to transport animals for relocation and travel.
Alley Cat Allies: Works worldwide to protect domestic cats to community cats who live and thrive outside. Through direct lifesaving care to law and legislation education and more, ACA works to better the lives of cats and kittens. Use the Alley Cat Allies Community Resource Tool, which combines their expert resources and a comprehensive listing of local services in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
Alley Cat Rescue: ACR is committed to helping stray and outdoor community cats in the United States and around the world by promoting humane, nonlethal care to improve cats’ lives. ACR works to reduce the number of feral cats living in colonies through a proven method called Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). They also run an African Wildcat conservation program.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Has been at the forefront of animal rescue and protection since it was founded as the first animal welfare organization in North America in 1866. Conducts campaigns and offers a wealth of information on animals. aspca.org
Best Friends Animal Society: Established 40 years ago on 2,000 acres in Angel Canyon in the Utah desert, Best Friends has been a sanctuary for tens of thousands of homeless and last-chance pets, and a leader in the “no kill” shelter movement. Partners with shelters and organizations around the country. You can visit and volunteer.
No Kill Advocacy Center: Provides free consulting for shelter directors to get them to embrace the No Kill Equation; works closely with legislators to draft, introduce, and pass shelter reform and other forms of animal protection legislation. In addition to legislation, the litigation unit files lawsuits to protect animals and those who care about them. Assists rescuers and shelter advocates with the help they need to reform the shelters in their local communities.
Petfinder: One of the biggest resources for finding a dog or cat to adopt, or help finding a lost pet. Petfinder has been around for more than 25 years in the animal welfare movement. Also has expert dog and cat care tips.
Pets for Vets: Enriching the lives of veterans by creating a life-changing “Super Bond” with expertly selected and trained shelter or rescue pets and providing ongoing expert support at no cost to the Veteran. petsforvets.com
Farm Sanctuary: Founded in 1986 to combat the abuses of factory farming, advocate for institutional reforms, and encourage a new awareness and understanding of farm animals and the benefits of plant-based living. Offers tours of its original sanctuary in Watkins Glen, N.Y., as well as its West Coast outpost in Los Angeles.
Food Animal Concerns Trust: FACT is at the forefront of driving change— by advocating for safer food systems, directly supporting farmers and improving consumer awareness with a goal of ensuring everyone has access to safe, healthy and humanely raised meat, eggs and dairy. That’s assuming you’re not already vegan.
The Humane League: A coalition that spans more than 70 countries determined to expose the cruelty of factory farming. Is helping to transform how the world’s biggest food companies treat animals, through science and people power.
Born Free: International wildlife charity working to prevent cruelty and alleviate suffering. News, educational materials, information about ways for individuals to become involved.
Good On You: makes it easier for consumers to shop in an ethically responsible way. You can easily look up a brand and the app tells you how ethically responsible it is. It does this with the use of a five-star rating system. Since 2015, the company has assessed more than 3,000 brands, including H&M, Levi’s and Zara.
International Fund for Animal Welfare: Working worldwide. For more than 55 years, IFAW has rescued, rehabilitated and released animals while restoring their habitats.
World Animal Protection: International charity and alliance of animal welfare organizations. Includes education and awareness campaigns to raise the standards of animal welfare throughout the world.
Animal Welfare Trust: Offers grants to organizations whose work helps reduce animal suffering and/or raises public consciousness toward related issues.
Maddie’s Fund: Provides grants to no-kill animal shelters that work with community collaborations of veterinarians, rescue groups, traditional shelters and animal control agencies nationwide.
The Pet Fund: Provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care. They are also building a larger database of resources available to pet owners for both financial assistance and preventive care needs. TPF is also working with research firms and universities to increase access to clinical trials for eligible pet owners whose animals may benefit from progressive research and new treatments.
Summerlee Foundation: Various types of grants provided, with a priority given to shelters in low-income areas. Stresses cat programs in the U.S. and dog programs in Latin America and Native American communities.
