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Several rigorous evaluations have enabled us to draw up a list of remarkably effective animal protection charities:
The Humane League: This association is mainly dedicated to the fight against cage farming layer hens and fast-growing broilers, the most exploited species on earth.
Good Food Institute: This association promotes research into alternative proteins, defending a diet free from animal suffering and more respectful of the planet.
Shrimp Welfare Project : This association was set up to improve the conditions under which shrimps are farmed, as they display behaviour typical of animals that feel suffering, and are farmed by the hundreds of billions [1].
Aquatic Life Institute: This association advocates reducing the suffering of aquatic animals, the most exploited type of animal in the world [2].
Wild Animal Initative : This association rigorously studies the welfare of wild animals, their main causes of suffering and death, and promising interventions [3].
When we talk about animal protection, the first image that comes to mind is that of an abandoned dog. In the minds of the general public, animal protection is first and foremost dedicated to those who live with them. But animal suffering does not stop at the doorstep.
Every year, almost 2050 billion animals are killed for human consumption [4]. The vast majority of these are aquatic animals (96%). In addition, 76 billion chickens make up 90% of the land animals slaughtered. At first sight, the task of preventing the worst suffering of these animals may seem unattainable. But solutions do exist, some of which can change the lives of many more animals for the same amount of money donated.
These organisations play an essential role in reducing animal suffering. They work to reduce the suffering of farm animals, rescue abandoned animals, protect endangered wildlife and regulate animal experimentation.
Thanks to donations, they are able to finance their negotiations with companies, scientific research and the awareness-raising activities required for their mission. The commitment of volunteers is also a fundamental pillar of their operations, whether providing support in shelters or organising events to raise public awareness. Some associations work directly with the police to combat animal trafficking and abuse.
Every contribution, whether financial or human, is laudable, but its impact can vary greatly from one charity to another, which is why it’s important to focus on the charities that have the greatest impact.
There are several types of charities involved in animal welfare:
Some non-profits, such as The Humane League, aim above all to reduce animal suffering, by lobbying for the adoption of better breeding standards, with the beneficiaries being animals that are victims of mistreatment, such as caged hens. Its approach has been rigorously evaluated and is among the most effective.
In France, Anima France pursues a similar mission. Other organisations, such as L214, adopt an activist approach by conducting awareness-raising and legal advocacy campaigns. They campaign for changes in animal rights and denounce abusive practices through investigations and communication campaigns. They prosecute animal abusers and fight against animal mistreatment in all its forms.
Other associations, such as the Good Food Institute, aim to develop alternative proteins. As well as replacing animals that need to be reared and slaughtered, switching to plant-based alternatives means emitting much less CO2 and consuming much less water.
€100 donated donated to GFI avoids 33 tonnes of carbon emissions and saves 530 animals from factory farming [6].
Those specialising in rescue and adoption, such as the Société Protectrice des Animaux (SPA), take in abandoned animals, offering them shelter and rehabilitation with a view to responsible adoption. However, their impact is considerably less, given the resources required to protect a smaller number of pets.
Other non-profits focus on protecting wildlife. Ensemble Pour Les Animaux, for example, works to preserve endangered species and combat the illegal trade in exotic animals. Their commitment often extends beyond national borders, with actions on an international scale to protect ecosystems and wild animals. However, protecting these animals does not necessarily mean aiming to guarantee better living conditions. This is the mission of the Wild Animal Intiative, which promotes research into the suffering of wild animals in order to carefully consider the most effective ways of reducing it.
The choice of a charity depends on several criteria:
There are many different approaches to defending the animal cause, such as adopting pets, protecting wildlife or advocating farm animal welfare. However, it is important to remember thatthere are significant differences in impact between these different areas: the fight to end cage-free hens and alternative proteins have a much greater impact, tending to have a hundred times more impact than the average intervention.
There are a number of ways to support the animal cause.Making a donation is a direct and effective way of contributing to the needs of charities, enabling them to fund awareness-raising campaigns.
Volunteering is another valuable option: many associations, such as Paris Animaux Zoopolis and the World Day for the End of Fishing, offer opportunities to get actively involved in shelters or awareness-raising initiatives. Adopting an animal is also a common way of getting involved.
Organisations such as L214 have highlighted unacceptable practices in the agri-food industry, prompting awareness-raising and legislative change. Associations such as The Humane League have also won key legal battles to strengthen the rights of animals mistreated by livestock farming around the world. Animal protection in France also involves raising awareness and taking legal action against the perpetrators of mistreatment.
However, it is important to remember that not all charities have the same impact, and research by evaluators comparing the cost-effectiveness of different associations gives a clear picture of these differences, which can sometimes be very large.
Supporting animal protection associations is an important commitment, but one that needs to be approached carefully. You can start helping the associations with the greatest impact today, to help as many animals as possible. Protecting animals is a collective responsibility, and everyone can help by directing their donations where they make the biggest difference.
Mieux Donner can help you identify the most impactful associations. You can make an appointment for personalised advice today.
[1] https://www.shrimpwelfareproject.org/
[2] Site du Aquatic Life Institute
[3] https://www.wildanimalinitiative.org
[4] https://www.l214.com/animaux/statistiques-nombre-animaux-abattus-monde-viande//
[5]
How do we calculate the cost-effectiveness of The Humane League’s work?
We use the calculations of the animal protection organisation FarmKind. It has calculated the cost per animal helped by dividing the number of animals involved by the commitments made during the year by the cost of these campaigns. We are fairly confident in this figure as it is based on THL’s past work performance and is more conservative than estimates from other evaluations. However, this is an average estimate and the actual cost may vary. The full calculations can be viewed on the cost-effectiveness spreadsheet from FarmKind for The Humane League, 2024
[consulté le 04/09/2024]
[6] Cost effective analysis calculations for animal welfare organisations (FarmKind) [Accessed 11/07/2024].
Please note that the figure of 5.3 animals supported per euro is very uncertain and we would not be surprised to see a difference of some magnitude in the actual figure. Full details of the assumptions and figures used for FarmKinds’ calculations are presented in their spreadsheet. (We used a conservative conversion of 1 euro to 1 dollar from their calculations)
Carbon impact: The Good Food Institute, Deep Dive (Giving Green) [Accessed 11/07/2024].
Giving Green’s best estimate for GFI’s efficiency is $2.98 per metric tonne of CO2 equivalent in the pipeline. (We used a conservative conversion of $2.98: €3 for our impact calculation).
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