5 US Pet Charities Worth Supporting

9 March 2010 No Comment

Are you looking for a worthwhile way to help a large number of pets? Consider donating to one of these charities located in the United States. These organisations do a lot of great work in promoting education, ethical treatment, and finding homes for animals.

But don’t use your hard-earned money to send aid to just any charity; to help you make a more informed choice check out these five organisations considered among the best in regards to accomplishments and funds distribution.

Alley Cat Rescue

The main focus of award-winning charity Alley Cat Rescue is rescuing and caring for abandoned and unwanted cats. They seek to educate owners about the importance of spaying and neutering by offering low-cost clinics. ACR also provides Trap-Neuter-Return clinics so residents can help feral cats receive immunisations and sterilisation surgery.

Their efforts encompass all levels, with local, national, and even international initiatives to help domestic, stray, and feral animals. Through a local, Maryland-based program, cats are also put up for adoption.

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

The ASPCA is well known for its efforts to fight animal cruelty, touted as “the first humane organisation in the Western hemisphere”. In just the past year, members of the ASPCA rescued more than 2,000 dogs from puppy mills. They lobby extensively in Washington, D.C. for stricter federal laws concerning the care of animals. Their Law Enforcement Department fields enquiries regarding possible animal cruelty reports.

An online database contains contact information for hundreds of animal shelters with adoptable pets across the U.S. A portion of donations to the organisation are used to provide grant funding for animal welfare agencies.

Animal Legal Defence Fund

The ALDF’s tagline is “winning the case against cruelty”. This organisation is comprised of attorneys throughout the U.S. with a goal of influencing American law in regards to humane treatment of animals. These attorneys provide legal assistance at no charge to any prosecutors spearheading cases of cruelty involving any type of animal, not just pets.

In addition, efforts to educate the public and make them aware of the need for ALDF’s services are promoted through workshops and seminars open to the public.

Best Friends Animal Society

A sanctuary for displaced and rescued pets, a disaster response team, and a variety of country-wide educational programs are just some of the great things the Best Friends Animal Society offers. Built around the motto that kindness to animals makes a better world, this organisation instituted a grassroots efforts back in 1980 to place homeless pets with caring families.

Today, spay and neuter clinics for dogs and cats help eliminate additional unwanted animals from being added to an already burgeoning population along with their other efforts. The Society’s ultimate goal is to ensure that no pets are left to die in shelters, abandoned, or neglected.

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

“Hope and renewal” to thoroughbred horses unable to compete in races is the offering of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Often, horses that were once at the top of their form are neglected, abused, and even killed after their days at the track are over. Horses are expensive to care for and maintain; those owners who cannot afford this expense traditionally had little recourse until the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation was founded in 1982. The organisation maintains expansive facilities throughout the U.S. where retired steeds are provided exceptional care until their natural demise.

No matter what type of animal you are most concerned about, this list of pet charities should provide at least one if not more excellent charities worthy of your donations.

This is a guest post by Charles Cridland, who writes at the Animal Adoptions Blog , where you can find out more about animal charities and endangered animals, including orangutans, polar bears, and black rhinos.