13 Best Animal Charities to Support in 2025
Discover 13 of the best animal charities to support in 2025. Plus, we'll share five ways your animal charity can make a bigger impact this year.
Discover 13 of the best animal charities to support in 2025. Plus, we'll share five ways your animal charity can make a bigger impact this year.
Join the fundraising movement! Join the fundraising movement!According to Giving USA’s 2024 report, only around 3% of charitable donations in the U.S. go toward animal organizations. These charities need your help more desperately than ever, but how do you know which ones to trust and support?
We’ve taken the guesswork out of it by providing a list of the top animal charities to support and take note of in 2025.
Mission: To educate the world about the true nature of farmed animals and provide a safe, happy place for retired farmed animals to live.
Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary started with a pig. Esther the Wonder Pig was rescued by couple Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter. Soon, she became a social media sensation and her followers helped start Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary in 2014.
This organization rescues and rehabilitates abandoned and abused farmed animals. Their mission is two-fold – to provide a happy place for these animals to live out the rest of their days and to educate the public about the true nature of farmed animals.
Their work has brought countless animals to their sanctuary, including cows, goats, turkeys, chickens, and of course, pigs! They still have a heavy social media presence so their followers and donors can see the impact of their work every day.
Mission: To solve the street dog problem worldwide. While sterilization is the best way to do that, we also help the street dogs on Koh Samui and around Southeast Asia in many other ways.
Happy Doggo started in early 2021 with the simple act of feeding a few hungry street dogs on Sunday mornings. But this small kindness captivated the hearts of people all over the world and was the catalyst for a much bigger movement.
In early 2021, Niall Harbison was recovering from a near-death experience caused by substance abuse. In an effort to get back on track, he started jogging around Koh Samui, Thailand.
Observing many malnourished dogs, he started bringing food to some and sharing videos online. Niall’s videos attracted the attention of people all over the world who wanted to help. He began feeding and vaccinating as many dogs as he could, but he quickly realized that sterilization was the only way to fix the problem long-term.
Happy Doggo started off sterilizing in Koh Samui but has since expanded to work with dogs across Thailand and Southeast Asia. By funding incredible organizations in Thailand and beyond, they plan to sterilize approximately 50,000 dogs this year.
In addition, this nonprofit also lists an array of heartwarming animal stories and animal cruelty news on its website to spread awareness and educate people on the lives of the voiceless.
Mission: Provide emergency funding for life-saving veterinary care for low-income families.
This nonprofit caught our eye because of its unique focus and mission. While others on this list address homelessness and animal cruelty, this animal charity addresses the financial cost of owning an animal.
For the Love of Alex started in 2013 after the founder, Elizabeth Hedges, had a scare with her cat. Alex went from being a loving pet to an animal in medical distress. He needed an urgent life-saving surgery to save his life. After that, Elizabeth got to thinking about what could have happened if she hadn’t had the money – and this organization’s mission was born.
Too many families lose beloved pets and members of their families because of unexpected medical emergencies. For the Love of Alex addresses this need by providing emergency funding to low-income families.
Donors to this organization can give to pets in need listed on the website. Individuals who need help can also apply online. In addition to this meaningful mission, the organization provides education and resources to the community on pet health, wellness, and illness prevention.
Podcast: Listen to Austin Meadows, Executive Director of “For the Love of Alex,” tell the story of this one-of-a-kind nonprofit. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for practical tips and advice from nonprofit experts.
Mission: To bring about a time when there are no more homeless pets.
One of the largest animal charities out there, Best Friends Animal Society was born way back in 1984 out in Utah’s high desert. What started as a grassroots sanctuary for animals with nowhere else to go has since grown into a national movement to end the killing of pets in shelters.
At the heart of BFAS’s work is the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, which is home to around 1,600 animals at any given time. Dogs, cats, horses, birds, rabbits, and pigs all call the Sanctuary home. Impressive as that is, the org’s impact goes far beyond that.
Through partnerships with shelters and rescues around the U.S., they support spay/neuter programs, community education, and adoption campaigns. Their goal is to make every shelter a no-kill shelter. Ambitious, yes, but with thousands of supporters behind them, they’re making great progress.
Mission: SHS has a four-part mission: to rescue, rehabilitate, re-home, and advocate for dogs.
Slaughterhouse Survivors (SHS) Animal Rescue based in Harbin, China, started in 2016 as a spontaneous movement to rescue a handful of dogs. Since then, this small team of animal lovers has worked to save the thousands of dogs killed every year for the illegal dog meat trade. Since those early days in 2016, they have rescued over 4,000 animals.
Once they rescue these dogs, they are rehabilitated and adopted into loving homes that give them the care they need for long, happy lives. They’re currently caring for around 1,300 animals at their SafeHouse and clinics.
Mission: To rescue, rehabilitate, and educate on farm animals’ behalf while promoting a cruelty-free lifestyle and reducing our impact on the earth.
The Sale Ranch Animal Sanctuary is based in Temecula, California, and is 100% off-grid. This organization offers a home for factory-farmed animals who have been abused, neglected, or discarded. The sanctuary also includes a hospice for senior horses with medical needs.
The sanctuary’s programs to rehabilitate, educate, and advocate on behalf of these animals are why they were chosen for this list. The average person isn’t aware of where their farmed meat comes from, and education and advocacy play an essential role in improving the welfare of farmed animals.
In addition to providing a sanctuary for these animals, this organization educates the public on sustainable agriculture and gardening practices with their own regenerative garden. Join one of their Seasonal Suppers to learn more.
Mission: As the puppies mature into well-loved, well-behaved dogs, their raisers learn what it means to contribute to society rather than take from it.
The reality show, Prison Dogs, was most people’s introduction to Puppies Behind Bars. The organization actually started back in 1997! It continues to train prisoners and puppies long past the show’s run.
Puppies Behind Bars has three main programs that supply trained service dogs to veterans and first responders. Puppies live with their trainers in prison from eight weeks to twenty-eight months. They are also trained and given a secure environment to thrive.
Once the dogs are fully trained, veterans and first responders come to the prison for their own training which usually takes one or two weeks. The veterans’ and first responders’ transportation, housing, and food are paid for by Puppies Behind Bars.
The puppies that do not make it through training because of higher energy or stronger prey drives are introduced to the organization’s explosive-detection Canine Programs. The success this organization has found in all programs showcases how anyone can step up to make a difference.
Mission: To provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.
Did you know that the ASPCA was one of the first humane organizations in North America? The organization was founded all the way back in 1866, and it’s still going strong. They work on everything from local animal rescues and adoptions to large-scale policy change and investigations.
You’ve probably seen their heartbreaking ads about neglected pets needing a second chance. Behind those stories, though, is an organization providing disaster relief, mobile clinics, behavioral rehabilitation, and grant funding for shelters across the country.
Most impressively, their work has helped pass hundreds of animal welfare laws. Thanks to all their efforts, the ASPCA is a cornerstone of animal protection in the U.S.
Mission: To provide a sanctuary for stray dogs in Tangier and promote responsible population control methods.
Founded in 2013, SFT Animal Sanctuary rescues stray dogs in Tangier, Morocco who might otherwise be euthanized. This animal charity is now home to over 900 animals and it’s all thanks to one person’s passion.
Founder Salima Kadaoui always wanted to help the stray dogs in Tangier and one day she started doing just that by taking them in for veterinary care. SFT Animal Sanctuary has since expanded to include programming to educate and advocate for population control methods through Project Hayat (meaning life).
This program promotes an approach to limiting the number of stray dogs through the TNVT method – treat, neuter, vaccinate, and tag. This method also reduces the amount of dogs killed every year for fear of rabies infection.
Mission: Our mission is to raise awareness of animal cruelty and gather as many signatures as possible on our petitions to let authorities know the public does care about animals and animal abuse must be taken seriously.
Animal Victory strives to create a world where animals are treated with respect and compassion. Founders Janelle Babington and Penny Eims teamed up to combine their 20-year track record of fighting animal cruelty.
By conducting research and providing updates on animal abuse cases, Animal Victory keeps the public informed and motivated to make a real difference. They also collect signatures on petitions created for these cases and other animal cruelty concerns. With these signatures, they urge officials to conduct thorough investigations and impose severe sentences for those charged with animal abuse.
On their victories page, you can see all the petitions their organization has successfully launched along with the real-life impact their efforts made on the related cases. They’ve had 59 total victories and collected over 5 million signatures.
Mission: To rescue stray animals and re-home ones in need while putting into place the necessary services to decrease animal overpopulation.
In the eight years Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue has been in operation, they’ve saved over 8,000 animals in North Dakota. Keith Benning recognized a need in his underserved community where veterinary care is difficult to access and many animals need support. In addition to their work on the ground, TMAR advocates for responsible pet ownership by partnering with independent rescuers in the community.
They have a robust volunteer program, with over one hundred regular community volunteers who make their work possible. Check out their news page to see recent newsletters detailing important initiatives and success stories.
Mission: Little Shelter Animal Rescue strives to save abandoned dogs and cats by placing them in forever homes.
Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center in Long Island has been in operation for almost one hundred years. Founded by Anna Hunninghouse in 1927, this historic shelter rescues animals from kill shelters, rehabilitates sick and unsocialized pets, and works to end overpopulation through their spay and neuter program.
They run an animal soup kitchen where they provide free pet food to disabled, impoverished, and elderly pet parents. Their Humane Education program teaches children how to care for animals and why they should have compassion for all living things.
Mission: To establish and defend the rights of all animals.
No list of the top animal charities would be complete without PETA. Founded in 1890 by Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco, PETA quickly captured the public eye after the landmark Silver Spring monkeys case in 1981 – the first animal rights case to garner national attention in the U.S.
Now one of the most recognized animal advocacy orgs in the world, PETA takes on everything from factory farming to animal testing, fur farming, and circuses. They’re often involved in high-profile campaigns and public demonstrations to bring animal issues to light.
PETA’s work isn’t always quiet, and that’s the point. Their bold tactics and global reach have gone a long way toward making animal rights part of everyday conversations. Whether or not you agree with all of their methods, you certainly can’t deny their impact.
If you’re not sure which organization to give to, here are a few tips to help you pick the right one:
Running an animal charity to help animals and end cruelty requires more than just empathy and lots of manpower. You also have to spread awareness, educate people, train staff and volunteers, buy equipment and vehicles, and above all, raise funds.
Let’s look at some best practices that helped these 13 animal charities find their success.
As soon as you incorporate your organization, you’ve taken on a sacred responsibility to do right by the animals you help – and your donors. This means you must abide by the law. Charities engaging in rescue and shelter activities must be aware of animal protection and welfare laws.
For example, your nonprofit must have a system to track each animal and report their status from the time they’re admitted to ensure ethical treatment. Additionally, you must provide reliable treatment and care to each animal you admit.
If you need expert advice, don’t be afraid to hire a consultant or lawyer to make sure you’re doing everything correctly.
Having policies helps everyone – from staff to volunteers – understand how your animal charity works and what’s expected of them. It’s about compliance, yes, but also helps build a strong foundation for animal care, safety, and transparency.
Start by outlining your main services and procedures. For example, include how animals are admitted, treated, and housed, as well as guidelines for transportation and infection control.
Policies on data use, privacy, and advertising are also worth having, especially if you collect supporter or adopter information.
Standards go hand-in-hand with your policies. They set the bar for how daily tasks should be carried out and help boost consistency across your organization. You should share your policy and standards documents during onboarding, so everyone’s aligned from the start.
How do you want your charity to grow and help more animals in the future? What are your short- and long-term goals to turn your mission into a reality? What are your funding sources? Which campaigns and programs do you want to focus on in the immediate future?
Creating a strategic plan will not only answer these questions (and many more!) but also open a path to success for your animal charity.
Break down your yearly vision into small monthly or quarterly goals. Create small groups of staff and volunteers and, depending on their skills, delegate tasks. You may also want to hire consultants to help you with the strategic planning process.
Additionally, share your short-term goals and your desired impact with your supporters. Ask for their feedback and support in making them come true.
Free Resource: Download our free strategic plan template to guide you. Plus, check out this comprehensive guide to strategic plans for even more insight!
Regardless of the type of program they run or their mission, every animal charity has one thing in common: a donate button on their website. That’s because they know none of their important work would be possible without funds.
Typically, animal charities have several types of funds that power their mission, including:
To raise funds successfully, you need to reach more people online. Easily reach your dedicated audience through online donation pages, online event pages, donation forms, crowdfunding, and peer-to-peer fundraising.
Tip: Be specific about how donations will be used. Many supporters don’t realize just how far a small donation can go, especially in animal welfare work. Use your donation form to clearly show what each gift amount helps cover.
As an example, Happy Doggo uses the Donorbox form to do just that:
Donorbox is your one-stop shop to raise more for your animal nonprofit. With customizable donation forms, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer, text-to-give, event ticketing, in-person donations with the Donorbox Live™ Kiosk app, and more, we have the tools and features you need to scale your mission and raise more money.
Check out why thousands of animal charities trust Donorbox’s powerful fundraising platform to take their fundraising and their missions to the next level. Plus, here’s a bonus resource to get you started:
If you don’t promote your animal charity and the ways your supporters can donate to your cause, you’ll have a hard time fulfilling your mission. You may feel overwhelmed about getting the word out about your charity, but don’t fret! A few small steps can make a big difference.
Start by focusing on how you can use storytelling to effectively communicate about your mission. Share these stories through email, on social media, and in-person to demonstrate your impact and encourage more giving.
Curious how you can tell a compelling story for your animal charity? Check out this short video with expert Natalie Monroe and catch the full webinar on visual storytelling on our YouTube channel.
Where you donate your hard-earned dollars matters. You want to support an organization that will make a significant impact in the lives of our furry friends, ultimately creating a better world for everyone. Whether your passion is dogs and cats, farm animals, or wildlife, there are excellent organizations out there to support.
If you’re running your own animal charity or looking to start one, we hope these 13 stories of successful animal charities have inspired you. Follow their example to fulfil your mission!
At Donorbox, we have tons of resources to help nonprofits grow. Check out the rest of our Nonprofit Blog for fundraising tips and tricks. If you’re looking for online donation options, learn more about our features here.
Fern is a journalist-turned-editor with 8 years of writing experience, now using that skill set to help nonprofits share their stories and connect with donors. Along with her editorial work, Fern volunteers with animal welfare organizations and has spent years fostering and rehabilitating rescue parrots.
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