If you want to help animals either domestically or abroad, there are many worthy charities you can support. However, you want to make sure that your dollars are going to the cause of protecting animals, not into the pocket of a highly paid Executive Director.

How can you tell if your animal charities are effective in accomplishing their mission?

With some research, you can see which organizations are most effective in getting the funds they raise directly to animals in need. Check out sites like CharityWatch, which analyzes statistics and media coverage to advise on the effectiveness of philanthropic organizations around the world.

Here is a list of ten animal charities which succeed in assisting animals in need.

1. Best Friends Animal Society

For over thirty years, this organization has been instrumental in reducing the number of pets killed in animal shelters across the United States by 76 percent.

It is located in Utah and provides sanctuary for a wide range of animals including not just dogs and cats but also horses, birds and livestock.

The Best Friends Society promotes adoption, spaying and the “no kill” philosophy, aiming to encourage all shelters in the country to come on board in its anti-euthanasia movement. In addition to donating cash, you can also help Best Friends by adopting a dog or other pet in need of a home and saving them from being put down.

2. The Humane Society of the United States

The Humane Society of the United States aims to celebrate animals and confront cruelty. It provides care and services to more than 100,000 animals every year.

The Humane Society opposes cruel practices like puppy mills, animal fighting, factory farming, seal slaughter, horse cruelty, captive hunts and the wildlife trade. It communicates its message far and wide through such platforms as the Humane Society Twitter feed.

3.The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

You probably remember Sigourney Weaver in the movie “Gorillas in the Mist.” She won an Oscar for her portrayal of the researcher and activist Dian Fossey, who was tragically murdered by poachers.

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund protects the African gorillas in the densely forested mountains of Rwanda. It supports scientific research and provides education to both local communities and the wider population. It also supports local villages to develop industries to discourage poaching.

This organization has been instrumental in preventing the complete extinction of this magnificent species.

87% of every dollar donated to this Foundation goes toward the nonprofit’s programs.

4. Marine Mammal Center

This animal charity focuses on the rescue and treatment of marine mammals like seals and sea lions. Located on the beautiful California coastline in Sausalito, the center has treated more than 20,000 marine animals since it began. Its staff cares for an average of 800 marine mammals annually.

In addition to rescuing and rehabilitating sick and injured sea mammals, this charity conducts scientific research and offers educational programs. It receives high marks for getting donations directly to the animals it wants to help.

5. The Jane Goodall Institute

Like the Dian Fossey Foundation, this organization is also named after a pioneering woman scientist who dedicated her life to protecting the amazing primates of Africa.

Jane Goodall, however, is still alive and revered for her research and passionate activism on the part of the chimpanzees. A United Nations Messenger of Peace, at age 84 she still travels the world, bringing attention to the threats facing chimpanzees and their environment.

In addition to taking care of hundreds of chimps in its sanctuary, the charity also organizes community programs to encourage local conservation.

6.The African Wildlife Foundation

This organization focuses on a wide variety of species instead of just one. Its mission is to support conservation and habitat protection for some of the most endangered wild animals. It also works to empower local communities so they can be self-sustaining and not rely on poaching.

This charity works to train rangers on how to coexist with wild animals like lions instead of killing them. It also encourages regulated tourism efforts which bring much-needed funds to local communities without hurting the animals or the land.

If organizations like the AWF continue to flourish, more of us will be able to see animals like the lion in its native habitat for years to come.

7. The Animal Welfare Institute

This charity’s concentrates on reducing animal cruelty. It works to ban the use of animals in laboratory experiments for beauty and pharmaceutical products. It also advocates against cruel slaughterhouse techniques and the fur industry in general.

This charity is famous for directing the majority of the funds it raises back into its programs.

8. Snow Leopard Trust

The Snow Leopard Trust is another species-specific charity which gets points for channeling a high percentage of its donations to its conservation programs. As the name implies, it is devoted to protecting this beautiful member of the feline family across its five-country range: China, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Pakistan.

The Trust trains wildlife rangers, educates local population on conservation, and creates eco-camps to educate children about this endangered creature and the importance of wildlife preservation generally.

9. PetSmart Charities

This charity invests millions of dollars every year in supporting local pet rescue groups across the United States. It also funds spaying and neutering procedures to reduce unwanted stray animal populations and provides emergency medical relief to animals in need.

90 cents of every dollar donated goes to help animals, so this is a great investment for your charitable donations!

10. Friends of Animals

Friends of Animals is a U.S -based charity that aims to promote affordable spaying and neutering programs for household pets. It arranges more than 40,000 sterilization procedures annually, cutting down significantly on the homeless animal population.

It also is an active participant in the anti-fur and animal rights movements, and assist overseas efforts in Africa for wild animals.

Support Animal Charities in Whatever Way You Can

The creatures of the animal kingdom need our support. This includes animals subjected to cruel sporting and farming techniques at home and the endangered species around the globe. If you can give generously to any of these animal charities, you will do your own small part in helping them survive.

For more information on the world of nature and how you can help preserve it, check out our site.