What kinds of animal charities are there?
The UK is well known for being an animal loving nation and many of us want to help stop animal abuse. Luckily there are over 20 animal charities in the UK working to protect endangered species or save animals from cruelty.
Each animal charity tends to focus on a particular issue, service or species of animal, and it’s this focus that ensures they help animals most effectively. For example, the PDSA provides care for pets, while charities like the WWF conserve endangered species. Other charities provide care for specific animals – for example dog or cat homes, or horse sanctuaries.
Large animal charities like WSPA and the RSPCA may work on several different fronts to protect animals. This can include education programmes to try and stop animal abuse happening in the first place, rehabilitating rescue animals, or campaigning for law changes to save the animals from cruelty. These are some of the ways UK charities help animals:
Serving pets and rescue animals
The PDSA, Dog’s Trust and Wood Green Animal Shelter are examples of charities that provide animal aid for pets. This includes animal re-homing, veterinary care for pets and rescue animals, and education for pet owners.
Protecting endangered species
The WWF and the John Aspinall Foundation are charities that work all over the world to protect endangered species. WWF saves animals by protecting the habitats of rare and endangered species, as well as campaigning against the trade in wildlife. The John Aspinall Foundation focuses on animal rescue and the rehabilitation of endangered species for release back into the wild.
Ending animal abuse
WSPA and the RSPCA are two of the largest charities trying to save animals from cruelty. WSPA works all over the world to protect bears forced to dance, stop farm animal abuse, and end the neglect of working horses. The RSPCA focuses more on the UK: they rescue animals from cruelty and lobby for changes in the law to give animals better protection.
Of course there are lots more charities working hard to help animals, and deciding which one to support is up to you. Don’t’ forget many UK animal charities also offer animal adoption which is a great way to help a specific animal or species that you care about.
