Carla Shaik

Carla is passionate about animal welfare and our natural environment and is on a mission to give you the knowledge you need to help protect our planet and all of its inhabitants. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, is a teaching support officer at the College of West Anglia, and also works as a cat sitter in her local community. Aside from writing, she has a love of music, teaching her daughter how to play piano, and enjoys getting creative with craft activities.

Find Carla on

Photo of author
Attempted illustration of carbon offsets and climate change

9 Best Charities for Climate Change (Complete 2024 List)

It is estimated that our planet has warmed by 2.12 degrees Fahrenheit since the late 19th Century. This has caused ocean acidification, decreased snow cover, and a marked increase in the number of extreme weather events occurring worldwide. Environmental charities are now working hard to halt this trend and protect our planet for generations to come. So we had to ask: What are the best charities for climate change?

Attempted illustration of wild animals around the world

9 Best Charities to Symbolically Adopt a Wild Animal in Need (Complete 2024 List)

It is estimated that one-quarter of the earth’s mammals, 1 in 6 bird species, and 40% of all amphibians are under threat of extinction. Charities worldwide are dedicated to restoring the world’s biodiversity but they need your help. One effective way to contribute is to symbolically adopt a wild animal to provide vital funding for conservation work. So we had to ask: What are the best charities to symbolically adopt a wild animal in need?

Attempted illustration of showing global hunger

9 Best Charities That Fight Hunger Globally (Complete 2024 List)

There is more than enough food to feed every person on the planet. Yet, 811 million people still go hungry. Charities around the world have been working hard to ensure every community has access to nutritious meals daily and also have the resources they need to build their own successful farms. So we had to ask: What are the best charities that fight hunger globally?

Illustration of pet animals

9 Best Charities to Adopt a Pet Animal (Complete 2024 List)

6-8 million cats and dogs are handed into shelters in the US every year. Furthermore, 2.7 million pets are euthanized in shelters annually due to overcrowding. Charities across the country are now working to allow you to protect these vulnerable animals and prevent their senseless killings. So we had to ask: What are the best charities to adopt a pet animal?

Illustration of a child without food

9 Best Charities That Fight Child Hunger (Complete 2024 List)

Every 10 seconds, a child dies from malnutrition. It is estimated that around half of all deaths in children under 5 are caused by extreme hunger. Something that could easily be prevented. Charities around the world are now fighting to end the extreme poverty that affects so many families around the world. So we had to ask: What are the best charities that fight child hunger?

Attempted illustration of one global ocean

9 Best Charities to Save Our Oceans (Complete 2024 List)

Our oceans are struggling with the environmental changes caused by our modern way of living, as well as industrial fishing practices. Coral reefs, home to over half of the world’s fish, have declined by 40% in the last 40 years. Marine species are also being heavily affected by the 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic that are floating in our oceans. So we had to ask: What are the best charities to save our oceans?

Attempted illustration of wildlife

9 Best Wildlife Conservation Charities (Complete 2024 List)

There are around 40,000 species classed as threatened or endangered and this number is only growing more. And while some actions are already taken to stop this trend, there is still much more to be done as deforestation, urbanization, and unsustainable living practices are affecting our wildlife and their habitats. So we had to ask: What are the best wildlife conservation charities?

Illustration of an orangutan

9 Best Charities for Protecting Orangutans (Complete 2024 List)

Orangutans are now only native to two countries in the world; Indonesia and Malaysia. And all three species of orangutans are now classed as critically endangered due to palm oil farming, the wildlife trade, and deforestation. But thankfully, charities around the world are now working to rescue and rehabilitate orangutans to preserve the species for future generations. So we had to ask: What are the best charities for protecting orangutans?

Illustration of a horse

9 Best Charities That Help Horses (Complete 2024 List)

The American Horse Council estimates that around 100,000 pet horses are abused or neglected across the country. In addition, horse racing is a $40 billion-a-year industry in the US, but what happens to the horses when their racing careers are over? In 2020, 53,947 horses were shipped across US borders for slaughter; over half of these are believed to be ex-racehorses. Horse charities around the world are working tirelessly to reverse this trend and help people to understand the needs of these incredible animals. So we had to ask: What are the best charities that help horses?

Illustration of a wolv

9 Best Charities for Protecting Wolves (Complete 2024 List)

Wolf populations around the globe are decreasing at an alarming rate. For example, grey wolves have been extirpated from many of their natural habitats and there are estimated to be just 20 red wolves left in the wild. These mysterious animals have been viewed in a negative light for centuries, with many people believing that they are dangerous and aggressive to humans and livestock. Charities around the globe are actively trying to change these misconceptions and are working to ensure these beautiful animals are around for future generations to appreciate. So we had to ask: What are the best charities for protecting wolves?

Illustration of bees and a bee hive

9 Best Charities That Help to Save the Bees (Complete 2024 List)

1 in every 3 bites of the food we eat is directly dependent on bee pollination, yet bee species worldwide are declining at an alarming rate. In the 1940s there were around 5.7 million honey bee colonies managed in America. By 2015, the number had dropped to just 2.74 million. And in recent years the number has dropped even further. However, charities around the world are now choosing to help bee populations thrive once again. So we had to ask: What are the best charities that help to save the bees?

Illustration of a gorilla

9 Best Charities for Protecting Gorillas (Complete 2024 List)

Due to relentless poaching efforts and the lucrative bushmeat trade, gorilla populations have plummeted in the last few decades. Both gorilla species are now critically endangered. In 1981, the number of mountain gorillas living in the Virunga volcanic mountain range was estimated to be just 253 individuals. However, thanks to the relentless efforts of charities around the globe, populations of this iconic species are now on the increase. So we had to ask: What are the best charities for protecting gorillas?

Illustration of a lion

10 Best Charities for Protecting Lions (Complete 2024 List)

There are estimated to be between 23,000 and 39,000 mature lions left in the wild. This iconic species was once found across Africa, Europe, and Asia, but due to poaching and habitat loss, lions now occupy only 20% of their historic range. Yet, thanks to the work of conservation charities, populations are now on the rise in several countries including Zambia and South Africa. So we had to ask: What are the best charities for protecting lions?

Illustration of a symbol for autism

10 Best Charities for Autism (Complete 2024 List)

It’s estimated that about 1% of the world’s population has autism, with the condition costing affected families around $60,000 per year. Despite being widespread, autism is still poorly understood. Autism charities around the world are dedicating themselves to making the lives of people with autism easier and work tirelessly to raise awareness of the condition. So we had to ask: What are the best charities for autism?

Illustration of two big cats

10 Best Charities for Big Cats (Complete 2024 List)

There are 38 known species of wild cats in the world, yet 10 of them are listed as endangered, or near threatened, and 13 are classed as vulnerable. However, thanks to the conservation efforts of big cat charities worldwide, many populations are now on the increase. So we had to ask: What are the best charities for big cats?

Illustration of our Impactful Ninja logo, which is a ninja holding a green heart and has a light-green outline here
Become more impactful, one email at a time
Get the 5-minute newsletter that makes reading impactful news enjoyable—packed with actionable insights to make a positive impact in your daily life.
Illustration of our Impactful Ninja logo, holding up a newsletter with a green heart
Become more impactful, one email at a time
Get the 5-minute newsletter that makes reading impactful news enjoyable—packed with actionable insights to make a positive impact in your daily life.