13 Best Animal Rescue Organizations in the United States

The environment is in peril. It is being destroyed at a rate that is tens to hundreds of times greater than the average over the previous 10 million years, according to the UN Global Assessment Report.

For instance, a million species are at risk of extinction, natural ecosystems have lost roughly half of their territory, and the biomass of wild mammals has decreased by 82%.

Human activity puts vulnerable ecosystems at risk, from deforestation to rising ocean temperatures, which are essential to the well-being of all life on Earth.

Nonprofits that work with animals and the environment are essential to solving these problems. Animal charities work to safeguard animals and the environment as first responders, clinics, research projects, shelters, and program directors.

At the end of the day, these animal rescue groups, which have locations all over the world and in America, assist in the national and international rescue of all kinds of animals and species.

to build a new house for them as well as a community that is safe, livable, and sustainable. Take a look at these groups that support pets, agricultural animals threatened and endangered species, aquatic life, and more!

Best Animal Rescue Organizations in the United States

Here are some of our preferred animal rescue groups.

  • ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
  • Animal Welfare Institute
  • Brother Wolf Animal Rescue
  • International Fund for Animal Welfare
  • Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
  • Best Friends Animal Society
  • Mountain Humane
  • Alley Cat Allies
  • The Marine Mammal Center
  • The Humane Society
  • Friends of Animals
  • World Wildlife Fund
  • The American Humane Society

1. ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

Since 1866, the ASPCA, also known as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, has been working to end animal cruelty in North America.

The ASPCA, one of the first and biggest non-profit organizations created to protect animals worldwide, was founded by Henry Bergh. The ASPCA has a 3 out of 4 star Charity Navigator rating and the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

The ASPCA has done all possible to save animals and put an end to animal cruelty. Animal safety is the focus of several different ASPCA initiatives and affiliates.

Creating effective hospitals, rescue hotlines, and animal shelters are a few examples. even a behavioral rehabilitation center for dogs that are too damaged to be adopted.

The ASPCA has helped more than 545,000 animals. They have contributed $12 million to various initiatives for animal welfare.

Their Animal Relocation program has found new homes for more than 27,000 animals only in 2020. With their Animal Poison Control Centers across America, they have saved 370,590 animals and helped vulnerable animals in 104,000 cases.

Almost 47,000 neuter/spay procedures have been carried out in addition to rescue and protection.

2. Animal Welfare Institute

The Animal Welfare Institute was founded in 1951 by Christine Stevens and has made it its mission to use political pressure to lessen animal abuse committed by people.

The initial goal of saving animals from research facilities has evolved into protecting all living creatures from cruel and violent treatment.

Charity Navigator gave Animal Welfare Institute a 4-star rating, and AWI is presently waiting for GuideStar certification. But you may read AWI’s GuideStar report to learn more about their financial analysis.

AWI’s aim to stop animal cruelty has been carefully considered, and it includes interacting with the public, researchers, and legislators.

Among their objectives include ending cruel factory farms, finding alternatives to animal testing, and safeguarding pets from cruelty.

The PAST Act, which criminalizes the imposition of pain on horses’ hooves and limbs, and the introduction of a bill that will outlaw the use of wild animals in touring exhibits are two of AWI’s noteworthy accomplishments for 2020.

AWI’s advocacy and pressure resulted in no Icelandic whales being killed in 2019.

3. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, which started as a foster-based charity, has helped many animals since 2007.

Brother Wolf is a community-based and -funded non-profit organization that tries to preserve and positively impact as many animals’ lives as possible. It was established by Denise Blits in the county of Asheville in North Carolina.

Brother Wolf has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. Brother Wolf takes pride in their No-Kill rescues, in which they make every effort to achieve and strive for a live conclusion.

In addition to running mobile clinics that provide reasonably priced healthcare, Brother Wolf also runs an adoption facility and foster-care program for cats, dogs, bunnies, and small animals.

They have had a significant influence on more than 9,000 animals, according to Brother Wolf’s 2020 report. Through their adoption program, they have placed more than 1,600 animals, found 605 new volunteer foster homes, and sterilized or neutered more than 5,800 animals.

4. International Fund for Animal Welfare

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), a well-known international non-profit, has held the view that each and every animal counts since its founding in 1969.

When IFAW was first established in Canada by Brian Davies, its initial mission was to stop the hunting of seals in Canada. Since then, they have been protecting endangered animals and species worldwide, with their head office in the United States.

IFAW has received a 3-star overall rating from Charity Navigator and a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. With the goal of saving and rehabilitating animals from man-made and natural calamities, IFAW is involved in numerous programs across the globe.

like tigers, koalas, seals, and other animals. Every individual animal has value, according to IFAW. We can change things by bringing communities and governments together to work together.

Since 2000, they have saved and provided shelter for 275,598 animals worldwide, according to IFAW’s impact report.

418 stranded dolphins have been successfully saved and released on Cape Cod. Around 10,000 dogs and cats have been sterilized in Mexico thanks to IFAW’s collaboration with local charities.

5. Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee

The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, or simply Elephant Sanctuary, is the largest national organization dedicated to saving elephants from captivity and has its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. From circuses and zoos, it rescues and shelters retired African and Asian elephants.

The Elephant Sanctuary has received the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries accreditation, a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, and a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.

Almost 2,700 acres of land at the Elephant Sanctuary serve as natural sanctuaries and housing for the rescued elephants. To be fair, the public cannot visit elephants.

The sanctuaries emphasize providing the elephants with customized care, support education, and spreading awareness of the abuse that elephants endure.

The Elephant Sanctuary has saved 28 elephants from the entertainment industry throughout the years. The sanctuary is presently home to ten elephants, but there is plenty of room for more, according to the Elephant Sanctuary.

Also, they have worked with international sanctuaries all over the world to support education and rehabilitation efforts and improve methods.

6. Best Friends Animal Society

The Best Friends Animal Society was founded in 1985 as a promise between several friends to create a sanctuary for abandoned animals in Utah in response to the cruel killing in shelters across America. Since then, the movement known as Save Them All has been pioneered by the organization.

Best Buddies has received a 2-star rating from Charity Navigator and has been awarded a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. Best Friends wants to achieve a no-kill America by 2025 after discovering that thousands of animals are killed in shelters.

By encouraging and teaching communities and shelters to embrace humane practices, such as creating adoption, fostering, neutering, or spaying the animals, they are leading the trend.

All across America, Best Buddies has been rescuing lives and winning over supporters of No-Kill. Their impact report states that since 2016, a total of 1000 more shelters have adopted the no-kill policy, making 44% of US shelters no-kill. Around 63,000 cats and dogs have also been saved by Best Friends and their partners in 2019 alone.

7. Mountain Humane

This nonprofit organization has given back to the neighborhood since 1972 under its previous name, The Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley. They were Idaho’s first No-Kill shelter, and their influence on the neighborhood and animals has been profound.

Their adoption and foster care services, cost-effective clinic services, and educational initiatives are the key factors for this.

Mountain Humane has received a 4-star overall Charity Navigator rating and possesses the Platinum Seal of Transparency.

In every aspect, Mountain Humane tries to meet the needs of the animals and the community. In addition to taking part in the No-Kill by 2025 program, they also provide neuter/spay services in their clinic for free or at a reduced cost.

“Paws for Hunger” is a pet food bank created by Mountain Humane and its partners for people in need. Even dog training is available to all local owners.

In accordance with Mountain Humane’s 2020 annual report, their center has assisted 1,864 animals.

Almost 400 underprivileged families have received pet food from them. Also, they have recorded a 33% rise in the number of pets in foster homes, with over 500 animals finding new homes. All of this effect in just 2020!

8. Alley Cat Allies

The non-profit Alley Cat Allies was founded in 1990 by founders Becky Robinson and Louise Holton after they stumbled onto an alley containing 56 cats.

They neutered the cats and introduced the trap-neuter-return (TNR) procedure to America for the first time. Since then, the TNR has been implemented in more than 600 towns.

A Platinum Seal was presented to Alley Cat Allies. Charity Navigator has given this non-profit ally a 4-star overall rating.

Alley Cat Allies’ work is vast and varied, and their website offers a wealth of information and resource guides. They develop life-saving strategies in collaboration with cats and their local animal shelters.

They also promote the humane and compassionate treatment of cats in our community by educating the public and speaking out on their behalf. Finally, they lobby US decision-makers for legislative change, including as anti-cruelty laws.

The Alley Cat Allies have had a significant impact on numerous states and localities across America.

Gaining access to numerous records and investigations from animal shelters across America for transparency and enacting various laws and initiatives to support and mainstream TNR in America are just a few noteworthy accomplishments for 2020. 

9. The Marine Mammal Center

The Marine Mammal Center was established in California in 1975 with the purpose of rescuing, treating, and releasing marine creatures. Almost 24,000 animals have been saved by this nonprofit organization to date, and it has contributed to hundreds of peer-reviewed studies on animal health.

The Marine Mammal Center has a 4-star overall Charity Navigator rating and a Silver Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

Animal care, research, and instruction are the main priorities of the Marine Mammal Center. They accept mammals via their 24/7 helpline, including sea lions and seals, then rescue and rehabilitate them at their hospital in Sausalito.

The group also runs educational programs for admirers of marine science of all ages. 

In addition to the thousands of animals saved and outstanding achievements, the Marine Mammal Center saved over 320 sea lions and pups from malnutrition and toxicosis in just two months, according to their 2019 impact report.

In addition, they successfully treated a wild Hawaiian monk seal by performing the first CT scan on it.

10. The Humane Society

The Humane Society is one of the most well-known animal welfare organizations in the world, and with good reason: in addition to a number of programs supporting domesticated animals, the Humane Society has also started campaigns against factory farming, hunting for wild animals, and animal testing

Puppy mills have been shut down, laws governing animal welfare have been strengthened, and the Humane Society has helped animals in need through its veterinarian and rehabilitation facilities, wildlife support units, and Animal Rescue Team. These are just a few of the organization’s successes.

11. Friends of Animals

Friends of Animals was founded in 1957 in New York City with the intention of protecting cats and dogs by providing spay and neuter procedures, and they have succeeded in doing so: almost 2.5 million pets are thought to have received assistance from the group having their pets spayed or neutered.

Since its inception, Friends of Animals has actively promoted opposition to animal testing, hunting, and fur collection in addition to safeguarding and promoting wildlife and wildlife habitats all around the world. 

12. World Wildlife Fund

The World Wildlife Fund, often known as the World Wide Fund for Nature, has more than five million supporters and is present in more than 100 nations, making it one of the most well-known advocacy organizations on earth.

Its mission is to protect wildlife and lessen the human effect on the environment, and it has had a significant impact. The WWF has contributed more than $1 billion to conservation efforts since 1995.

The WWF envisions a time when people coexist peacefully with the environment. They do this by working to:

  • Preserve and restore biodiversity;
  • Lessen humankind’s impact on the environment;
  • Ensure the sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of the present and future generations.

By organizing their work around six main areas—forests, marine, freshwater, wildlife, food, and climate—their new strategy puts people at the center.

The WWF’s current priorities are the recovery of 36 different species, including whales, tunas, and elephants, as well as lowering the ecological imprint in these important regions.

They collaborate on a worldwide scale at all levels, including with huge corporations, local governments, and the field. They put a lot of emphasis on actively involving many stakeholders from the business world, civil society, and academia.

13. The American Humane Society

Delegates from 27 humane organizations from 10 US states came together to form the American Humane Society in 1877. The American Humane Society wants to see a country in which no kid or animal will ever experience intentional maltreatment or neglect. 

To guarantee that animals are treated humanely, they also provide animal welfare certifications.

The motto “First to Serve” is also used by the American Humane Society. When and whenever animals are in need, they want to be the first to help. Their rescue trucks and emergency first-response teams are sent out to aid animals in distress.

Also, the American Humane’s Pet Provider program evaluates the health, welfare, and living conditions of small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and aquatic life at pet provider establishments and animal suppliers.

Conclusion

Donations to organizations that care for animals and hence our shared habitat are desperately needed because there are so many animals in need of care. Consider giving your time and/or money to animal groups that are making a difference.

Setting up online fundraising forms with a platform for online donations like GiveForms is the easiest thing to do if you’re an animal nonprofit looking for ways to boost donations and ensure the financial sustainability of your organization.

The rest will be taken care of after you share the link. Both you and your donors have less hassle as a result of the process. Furthermore, shareable, online donation forms improve your chances of attaining your fundraising targets.

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A passion-driven environmentalist by heart. Lead content writer at EnvironmentGo.
I strive to educate the public about the environment and its problems.
It has always been about nature, we ought to protect not destroy.

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