August 2000

Nonprofits dedicated to protecting animals engage in a broad range of activities. Some focus on spaying and neutering feral cats. Others provide homes for miniature pigs that have outgrown their house-pet status. Still others work to preserve exotic and endangered species or to rescue dogs from shelters and train them to assist people with disabilities.

On the whole, animal-welfare organizations appear to be benefiting from the nation's strong economy. The American Association of Fundraising Counsel estimates that contributions to environment and wildlife groups increased 11.1 percent in 1999. Nearly half (48 percent) of the participants in a December 1998 donor survey for Craver, Mathews, Smith & Company said that they gave to groups that focus on animal protection and animal rights.

Overall foundation support for these organizations has also increased. According to the Foundation Center, in 1998 the proportion of grant dollars given to organizations devoted to the environment, animals, and wildlife "grew to a record 5.6 percent … , up from 5.2 percent in 1997. Actual dollars grew by 30.3 percent, from $414.3 million to $539.8 million."

On the other hand, the National Center for Charitable Statistics found that less than 1 percent of large charitable gifts made in 1999 went to nonprofits concerned with the environment and animals. To find out how individual organizations are faring, GuideStar contacted animal-welfare nonprofits that have provided information for the GuideStar database.