Around the world, more than 115 million animals are used in experimentation every year, with up to 24 million procedures performed annually in the US alone. These animals are often subjected to abuse, confinement in unsuitable cages, and early deaths. Even more worryingly, it’s estimated that 92% of experimental drugs that are found to be safe and effective in animals actually fail human clinical trials. Many charities are now working hard to end this outdated industry and protect animals from further exploitation and suffering. So, we had to ask: What are the best charities that fight to end animal testing?

The best charities that fight animal testing are Humane Society International and Animal Defenders International. Charities such as FRAME and Rise For Animals work with policymakers to improve legislation surrounding the use of animals in research.

Whether you want to invest in viable alternatives to animal testing, advocate for better animal protection laws, or simply ensure that every animal can live a life free from suffering and abuse, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities that fight to end animal testing are all about, how they work, and what your best way would be to make a contribution.

Here’s What All the Best Charities That Fight to End Animal Testing Have in Common

The charities on this list were chosen based on their mission, impact and transparency ratings, and achievements.

They mainly operate in the US and Europe, however, some work to end animal testing worldwide. 

Many of these charities run advocacy campaigns to raise awareness of animal testing and encourage governments to improve protective legislation.

Other charities on this list focus their efforts on researching alternatives to animal testing and promoting their effectiveness around the world.

Yet, they all share the same goal; to end animal testing for good.

These Are the 9 Best Charities That Fight to End Animal Testing in 2024

Below are our favorite charities that fight to end animal testing (you can click on their link to directly jump to their section in this article):

Best Charities That Fight to End Animal Testing

Humane Society International

Animal Defenders International

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Cruelty Free International Trust

Beagle Freedom Project

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

FRAME

Rise for Animals

Animal Free Research UK

(At the end of this article we’ll also share our six-step approach on how you can select the best charity to support.)

Humane Society International: Protect All Animals

Humane Society International (HSI) was founded in 1991 as the international division of the Humane Society of the United States to raise awareness of animal welfare and confront animal cruelty in all its forms. Today, the charity is a leading force for animal protection, running active campaigns to end the suffering of animals used in scientific research and product testing. 

Humane Society International holds a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“We are endeavoring to create a humane and sustainable world for all animals, including people, through education, advocacy, and the promotion of respect and caring.”

Humane Society International

Humane Society International advances the welfare of animals around the world through their various campaigns, including ending animal testing. For example, through their Be-Cruelty Free campaign, they work to outlaw cosmetic testing on animals as well as fight for a ban on the sale of cosmetic products or ingredients that have been newly tested on animals. In addition, through collaboration with scientists, they formed Biomed21, which promotes alternatives to animal testing and furthers research into viable options through their team of scientists, policymakers, and communication experts. 

Today, Humane Society International is improving animal welfare standards in over 50 countries across the globe. For example, in 2022, their animal rescue team removed nearly 4,000 beagles bound for animal testing laboratories from a mass breeding facility in Virginia. In the same year, their advocacy efforts led to the ban of cosmetics that have been tested on animals in both New York and Louisiana. 10 states have now taken this stand against the sale of animal-tested cosmetic products. Moreover, the charity helped to secure $5 million into the Food and Drug Administration’s budget for non-animal research methods. 

You can donate directly to Humane Society International through their website. You can also support the charity by fundraising or joining one of their campaigns.

Animal Defenders International: Standing Up For Animal Rights

Animal Defenders International was founded in 1990 by Jan Creamer to raise awareness of the suffering experienced by animals in certain industries, including animal testing. Today, the charity campaigns around the globe to improve animal welfare standards. 

Animal Defenders International holds a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Silver Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Working to achieve long-term protection for animals.”

Animal Defenders International

Animal Defenders International fights to end animal cruelty, including in laboratories, by conducting undercover investigations in establishments and through advocacy. For example, their campaign ‘Kick animal testing out of the house’ aims to put a stop to all animal testing on ingredients related to the manufacture of household products by raising public awareness and through collaboration with governments. In addition, through their Lord Dowding Fund for Humane Research, they award grants to researchers who are advancing medical and scientific research methods that don’t use animals. 

Since their founding, Animal Defenders International has played an integral part in the banning of cosmetic testing on animals in nearly 40 countries worldwide, as well as the implementation of the Humane Cosmetics Act. In 2022, their advocacy efforts also led to the launch of a bill to ban toxicology testing on cats and dogs for consumer products in California. And, in the same year, Air France, Egypt Air, and Kenya Airways finally agreed to cease the transportation of monkeys to laboratories. 

You can donate directly to Animal Defenders International through their website. You can also support the charity by fundraising or by becoming an ADI Rescuer. 

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine: Making the World a Better Place For People and Animals

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) was founded in 1985 by Neal Barnard to improve research into new medical treatments without the use of animal testing. Today, the charity is building a new way of viewing research and changing the way that doctors treat chronic diseases by putting prevention ahead of pills.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. The charity also holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Dedicated to saving and improving human and animal lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research.”

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine researches alternatives to animal testing in medical research and empowers the public to take control of their own health by promoting a healthy lifestyle. For example, they work with governments across the US and Canada to replace animal use with simulators in medical schools and pediatric residencies. The committee also serves as the Secretariat of the International Council for Animal Protection, working with the widest range of measures to replace, reduce, and refine animal tests within OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) guidelines. 

Since their founding, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has remained dedicated to pushing for alternatives to animal testing in the medical industry with the assistance of their 1 million supporters. For example, they provided more than 2,800 hours of training to industry scientists on non-animal testing methods through their New Approach Methodology Program. Furthermore, thanks to the advocacy efforts of the charity, all medical schools in the US and Canada have stopped using live animals to train medical students and the National Institute of Health (NIH) has stopped all experiments on chimpanzees.

You can donate directly to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine through their website. You can also support the charity through workplace giving or memorial gifting. 

Cruelty Free International Trust: Creating a Cruelty-Free World

The Cruelty Free International Trust was founded in 1898 by Frances Power Cobbe to launch an anti-vivisection movement. Today, the charity is the leading organization working to create a world where nobody wants or believes we need to experiment on animals.

According to their financial report, the Cruelty Free International Trust spent 63.3% of their expenditure on charitable activities and 36.7% on raising funds.

“Working to create a world where no animals suffer in a laboratory.”

Cruelty Free International Trust

The Cruelty Free International Trust campaigns to end animal experiments worldwide through education, undercover investigations, campaigning, and scientific research. For example, their Leaping Bunny program is the world’s most widely recognized gold standard for cosmetics, personal care, and household products developed without the use of animal testing. They also closely monitor developments in humane testing methods and use their in-house legal expertise to ensure industry-related guidelines allow for the use of these new developments without extensive barriers and complex bureaucratic processes. 

Since their founding, the Cruelty Free International Trust has saved millions of animals from a life suffering in laboratories. Today, over 1,000 brands hold the Leaping Bunny seal, showcasing their dedication to only using and selling products that have been tested using non-animal methods. Furthermore, in August 2023, they shared their research on non-animal testing methods at the 12th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences. 

You can donate directly to the Cruelty Free International Trust through their website. You can also support the charity by purchasing items from their online store or by joining one of their campaigns.

Beagle Freedom Project: Educate. Legislate. Liberate

The Beagle Freedom Project was founded in 2004 as ARME (Animal Rescue, Media & Education) by Shannon Keith to help abused and abandoned animals across California. Today, the charity is a global organization that rescues and rehomes animals used in experimental research.

The Beagle Freedom Project holds a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Liberating animals from laboratories while working to end their abuse through education, advocacy, and legislation.”

Beagle Freedom Project

The Beagle Freedom Project rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes animals with special needs and those from laboratories with traumatic pasts. To adopt one of their rescued animals, you need to demonstrate that you yourself live a cruelty-free lifestyle, which means you don’t use any products tested on animals. The charity also conducts investigations to expose cruel procedures and the inhumane treatment of animals and campaigns to improve welfare standards. In addition, they run educational programs to teach children around the world, from Maine to Mexico, to be kind to animals and live cruelty-free. 

Since their founding, the Beagle Freedom Project has given a second chance at life to over 3,000 animals in 36 states and 8 countries, including dogs, cats, rabbits, and ferrets. In addition, they succeeded in advocating for the passage of the Beagle Freedom Bill in over 12 states, which requires labs to offer dogs and cats for adoption rather than killing them. Moreover, the charity has educated children on cruelty-free living in over 11 countries, covering 87,604 virtual miles. And, their Cruelty-Cutter app helps consumers identify cruelty-free products with ease. 

You can donate directly to the Beagle Freedom Project through their website. You can also support the charity by purchasing items from their online shop or by adopting an animal in need.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Animals Are Not Ours

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) was founded in 1980 by Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco to defend the rights of all animals. Today, the charity is the world’s largest animal rights organization, fighting for a world in which all animals can exercise their right to live free from harm, including animals in laboratories. 

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, as well as a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“We focus our attention on the four areas in which the largest number of animals suffer the most intensely; in laboratories, in the food industry, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment business.” (PETA)

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) exposes the suffering experienced by animals at the hands of humans and fights to end harmful industries such as animal testing. For example, through their network of scientists, campaigners, and researchers, they lobby against the use of animals in laboratories through undercover investigations of low welfare standards in certain institutions and hard-hitting campaigns. Furthermore, they focus on the development and awareness of animal-free toxicity testing methods through their Regulatory Toxicology Department. 

Since their founding, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has remained committed to ending the suffering of all animals, including those in laboratories. For example, in 2023, thanks to the advocacy efforts of the charity, top Colombian University Universidad del Valle became the first institution in Latin America to ban near-drowning tests on animals. In the same year, a US army-funded brain damage experiment conducted on ferrets was terminated 6-months ahead of schedule after the intervention of PETA members. 

You can donate directly to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) through their website. There are also various ways you can support the charity by shopping online or even leaving a gift in your will. 

FRAME: Educate. Legislate. Liberate

FRAME (Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments) was founded in 1969 in London by Dorothy Hegarty to improve the anti-vivisection movement. Today, the charity develops and shares cutting-edge alternatives to animal testing for studying diseases. 

According to their financial report, FRAME spent 91% of their expenditure on charitable activities and 9% on fundraising.

“Working to improve scientific efficiency and outcomes by replacing the use of animals in research and testing.”

FRAME

FRAME works to ensure the continued progression of biomedical research using alternatives to animal testing by offering grants through their scholarship program. They also fund their FRAME Alternatives Laboratory (FAL), the oldest alternative research institute in the UK. Furthermore, they offer training to new scientists and researchers through their FRAME Training School, covering topics such as the 3Rs and experimental design techniques. In addition, they collaborate with policymakers to strengthen legislation surrounding the use of animals in experiments and increase commitment to progressing scientific innovations in non-animal methods. 

Since their founding, FRAME has worked tirelessly to innovate and promote alternatives to animal testing. For example, in 2022, the charity funded over $390,600 to research non-animal experimental methods, including human models of neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s Disease and the development of human liver models. In the same year, they also educated 33 people through their training school and trained 102 new PhD students in experimental design.

You can donate directly to FRAME through their website. You can also support the charity by fundraising or volunteering. 

Rise for Animals: Ending Animal Experimentation

Rise for Animals was founded in 1895 in Boston as the New England Anti-Vivisection Society (NEAVS) to abolish nonhuman animal experimentation. Today, the charity continues to work on their mission to end animal testing within our lifetime. 

Rise for Animals holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.

“We advocate for the abolition of nonhuman animal experimentation, including the liberation of nonhuman animals.”

Rise for Animals

Rise for Animals is working to end animal testing through advocacy. They also expose the unethical use of animals in laboratories and promote breakthrough alternatives to animal experimentation. For example, they pressure policymakers to support laws that recognize the interests of animals and protect them from exploitation. Currently, just 5% of animals in labs are protected under the Animal Welfare Act. In addition, their rescue team liberates animals from cruel environments such as laboratories and universities and rehomes them with loving families. 

Since their founding, Rise for Animals has fought to release animals from cruel experimentation and end the harmful industry for good. For example, in 2019, the charity rallied over 17,000 animal lovers to take action against Nestle for testing on animals inside their research facility. In the same year, they also exposed horrific experiments being conducted on animals at the University of California and demanded accountability. In addition, thanks to their advocacy efforts, a ‘lab gag’ bill was prevented from being passed in California, which would have allowed labs to hide their processes from the public. 

You can donate directly to Rise for Animals through their website. You can also support the charity by joining one of their campaigns or by becoming an activist for animals.

Animal Free Research UK: A World Without Animal Experimentation

Animal Free Research UK was founded in 1970 by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) to help replace the use of animals in research. Today, the charity supports scientists and influences change to create a world where human diseases are cured faster without animal suffering. 

According to their financial report, Animal Free Research UK spent 72% of their expenditure on charitable activities and 28% on raising funds

“To champion better medical research for the good of animals, patients, and science.”

Animal Free Research UK

Animal Free Research UK pioneers research into modern human-orientated alternatives to animal testing through their team of scientists and laboratories. Their main focus is on curing widespread detrimental diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and kidney disease. They also offer grants to promising researchers developing animal-free technologies through a rigorous peer review process. In addition, they run a Summer Student Program for early-career scientists, offering students valuable laboratory experience in animal-free medical research. 

Since their founding, Animal Free Research UK has awarded grants to over 260 research projects to further the development of non animal technologies. For example, they funded research that created the first-of-its-kind 3D model of breast cancer to replace the use of mice with implanted tumors. Moreover, their funding helped to develop computer models that predict how medicines behave in human patients instead of using rabbits, rats, mice, and dogs. They also host an annual Animal Replacement Science Conference which brings together scientists from around the world to share their work on replacing animals in medical research. 

You can donate directly to Animal Free Research UK through their website. You can also support the charity by purchasing items from their online store or by playing their lottery.

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best charities that fight to end animal testing. However, you may have a particular charity you want to support. Let’s look at what you can do to ensure your contribution has the most significant impact.

• Check out the charity website. Charities that are worthy of your donations are transparent in their mission and their figures. Familiarize yourself with their history, mission, and values. Their website usually is the best place to start.
• Identify the charity’s mission. Without a goal, the charity is likely to fail. If the charity’s mission isn’t clear, it’s probably worth looking for a charity that does have a clear mission. 
• Check if the charity has measurable goals. An effective charity has clear goals. You want to know your donation will help the charity reach its goals. But if it doesn’t have targets, it’s likely to fail or squander your gift. The charity should be able to account for its spending and supply evidence of the work they do.
• Assess the successes or goals the charity has achieved. You wouldn’t invest in a business if it kept missing its targets. In the same way, charities are like this too. If no one is assessing a charity’s progress in reaching its targets, the chances are they’re not making a substantial positive change.
• Check the charity’s financials and stats. Trustworthy organizations will publish financial statements and reports each year. Some might be exempt from having to do so, but they should be able to provide them to public members who are interested in donating.
• Locate sources who work with or benefit from the charity. Word of mouth and first-hand experience of a charity’s work lets you know the charity’s quality. If you’re able to do so, check out the charity for yourself or speak to someone familiar with it. This way, your donation will go to the right place. 

How Can You Best Support These Charities?

After you’ve made your decision, it’s time for you to decide on how you’d like to help the charities you’ve chosen. Check how you can help—each charity runs specific programs that have unique aims. Find out what the aim of such programs is and whether they are right for you. 

Here are a few ways you can help your chosen charity:

• Donate money. You can find donation pages on the website of most charities. Your donation can be a one-time payment, or you can set it to be deducted regularly at different intervals. You can mostly pay via credit card, but some charities also take PayPal or Bitcoin payments.
• Buy their official merchandise. Charities can also raise money by selling merchandise. So, you can support them by buying the mugs, shirts, caps, pens, pencils, and any other such items they may be selling. Ideally, you should buy as much as you can to share and spread the word about the charity’s activities.
• Engage in volunteer work. As you’ve seen from our descriptions above, some charities engage in a lot of local and grassroots programs. You can help by taking on and organizing the program in your local area.
• Help their fundraising efforts. You can spread the word about the charity in your workplace, school, church, etc., and hold creative fundraising drives on social media or offline within your small circles.
• Share their stories. Most charities have compelling stories that you can share with your audience to attract more people to the cause.

Final Thoughts

Now it is up to you to select the charity that resonates most with you. And whichever charity you end up choosing and contributing to, we are sure that they will immensely appreciate your support. Hopefully, the information within this article has made this selection process a bit easier for you to support charities dedicated to ending animal testing—based on the causes that matter most to you.

Stay impactful,

PS: Finally, I want to leave you with a thought-provoking TED talk from Dan Pallotta, a leading philanthropic activist and fundraiser, about what is wrong with the way we think about charities—and what we can do about it:

Sources

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