79 Animal Rights, Welfare, and Service Organizations Worthy of Your Donations

by Courtney Mroch | More from this Blogger

07 Nov 2007 11:24 AM

Using ratings generated by Charity Navigator and the American Institute of Philanthropy, I've compiled a list of the top-rated animal rights, welfare, and service-related charities. These are ones that scored either four stars from Charity Navigator (their highest rating) or As from the American Institute of Philanthropy.

Charity Navigator and the American Institute of Philanthropy evaluate "the financial health" of non-profit organizations to determine which ones are using their money most effectively. What this means to you is that you can rest assured your donation dollars are being well utilized for the cause they were intended.

Charities are listed in alphabetical order. If they have a website I've linked to it.

1. American Humane Association

2. American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation

3. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

4. Animal Haven

5. Animal Protective Association of Missouri

6. Animal Rescue

7. Animal Rescue League of Iowa

8. Animal Welfare Association

9. Animal Welfare Institute

10. Animal Welfare League of Arlington

11. Arizona Humane Society

12. Associated Humane Societies

13. Berkshire Humane Society

14. Canine Assistants

15. Cat Care Society

16. Citizens for Animal Protection

17. Days End Farm Horse Rescue

18. Defenders of Animal Rights

19. D.E.L.T.A. Rescue

20. Dogs for the Deaf

21. Elmsford Animal Shelter

22. Farm Sanctuary

23. Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation

24. Front Range Equine Rescue

25. Geauga Humane Society

26. Greenhill Humane Society, SPCA

27. Helen Woodward Animal Shelter

28. Houston Humane Society

29. Houston SPCA

30. Humane Farming Association

31. Humane Society for Companion Animals

32. Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County

33. Humane Society of Charlotte

34. Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County

35. Humane Society of Missouri

36. Humane Society of New York

37. Humane Society of North Texas

38. Humane Society of Pinellas

39. Humane Society of South Missippi

40. The Humane Society of the United States

41. Humane Society/SPCA of Bexar County

42. International Fund for Animal Welfare

43. Kentucky Humane Society

44. League for Animal Welfare

45. Louisiana SPCA

46. The Marin Humane Society

47. MaxFund Animal Adoption Center

48. Monadnock Humane Society

49. Monmouth County SPCA

50. MSCPA-Angell

51. National Education for Assistance Dog Services

52. New Hampshire SPCA

53. North Carolina Veterinary Medical Foundation

54. Operation Kindness

55. Orphans of the Storm

56. Oshkosh Area Humane Society

57. Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA

58. Pasado's Safe Haven

59. PAWS Atlanta

60. PAWS Chicago

61. Paws With A Cause

62. Pet Adoption Fund

63. PetSmart Charities

64. Placer SPCA

65. Puppies Behind Bars

66. Richmond SPCA

67. San Diego Humane Society and SPCA

68. Save-A-Pet Adoption Center

69. The Seeing Eye

70. Sioux Falls Area Humane Society

71. SPCA of Central Florida

72. SPCA of Texas

73. Stevens-Swan Humane Society of Oneida County

74. Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

75. Tri County Humane Society (Boca Raton, FL)

76. United Animal Nations

77. Virginia Beach SPCA

78. Willamette Humane Society

79. Wisconsin Humane Society

Question to Readers

Were there any charities you expected to see but didn't? Did any of your charities make the list?

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Learn more about Courtney Mroch

Courtney Mroch is a wife, a proud pet parent, and a writer. She's been with her husband, high school sweetheart Wayne Pryor, over 20 years, married 11 of those. She's "mom" to Mr. Meow, a.k.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger

Aimee Amodio (11995) 07 Nov 2007 01:08 PM

What a fantastic list, Court! I'm pleased to see at least one of the shelters I support is on there (Monmouth County SPCA in NJ).

Courtney Mroch (9169) 08 Nov 2007 07:28 AM

Thanks Aimee! I'm glad one of your shelters was on there too. Some of the orgs I support got 4 stars, but most of the shelters I've donated to in the past didn't quite rate that high.

diane2 (5) 08 Feb 2009 10:14 AM

I am hoping there is someone out there that can help me and my dog. I have a 6 y.o. [CENSORED]-a-poo (his name if Bear) who has teeth issues (inflamed, red gums and tartar/plaque build-up on most of his teeth). It was only discovered this past summer (2008) by my vet. My vet recommended trying toothpaste and adding tartar remover liquid to his water - neither have helped. I have also added "treats" to his diet that supposedly fight placque. His teeth have not gotten worse, however they have not gotten better either. I know he needs to go to a "Veterinarian Dentist" but I am currently out of work and it is not financially possible for my husband and I to get the required care needed for Bear. We live in PA so I am not sure if there are organizations in my area that may be able to help us. All suggestions welcome. Thank you.