In the UK, there are numerous charities that support animal welfare and fight abuse of pets. Certainly some are better than others but it can difficult to research and decide amongst the various choices.

To that end we have compiled here a list of the five top pet and animal charities. All are worthy of your support and there are bound to be at least one or two that become the thankful recipient of your donation dollars, volunteerism, or fundraising efforts.

The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals

The PDSA has been providing care for injured and sick animals owned by people in need for 93 years. The organisation was founded by Maria Dickin in 1917 in order to provide humane veterinary care as well as a cemetery for beloved pets for those too poor to afford it.

The PDSA is funded entirely by donations and volunteer support. Today, the focus has expanded beyond preventive medicine and injury and illness care; pet health and responsible pet ownership initiatives promote a solution to problems before they occur.

The Blue Cross

The Blue Cross provides “a lifeline for animals”. This animal welfare charity provides complimentary veterinary treatment to ensure that all pets are adequately cared for. Its members are active in finding homes for any pets that have been abandoned and they are also available to talk to schools, animal facilities, and veterinary colleges.

The current aim of The Blue Cross is to spread their resources and services further across the UK in order to help additional animals in need.

The British Horse Society

Focusing on the needs and interests of the four million amateur riders and horse-drawn vehicle drivers in the UK, the BHS is involved in a number of worthwhile activities. In addition to providing numerous educational resources, the Society strives to keep horses and their riders healthy and safe and influence legislation that pertains to animal welfare. Facilities that harbour equines are encouraged to maintain exceptionally high standards regarding their care. Abuse and neglect prevention are also large parts of their focus.

The greater the number of members the BHS can recruit, the more influential their campaigning efforts.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

For nearly 150 years, the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has helped pets in all areas of the UK. On an annual basis, the organisation takes in approximately 12,000 cats and dogs, caring for lost or abandoned pets until a new family can be found for them. No animal is turned away from any of the three centres located in London, Berkshire, and Kent.

During a pet’s stay at the centre, they are treated to veterinary care and worked with to encourage good behaviour, making them more easily adoptable. Additionally BDCH does everything possible to reunite lost dogs and cats with their grateful owners.

RSPCA UK

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is the oldest animal welfare charity in the UK. With a focus on emergency rescue, rehabilitation efforts for ill and injured animals, and prevention of cruelty through campaigning and legislature, the RSPCA strives to make “life-changing differences” in the lives of all animals and wildlife. Finding “forever homes” for abandoned or neglected pets is another part of the wonderful work this organisation performs.
The problem of neglect, abuse, abandonment, illness, and injury in animals large and small is rampant across the UK. If you’re looking into donating or volunteering then these five charities are certainly worth supporting.

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.