The Giving Directory
Saved
🐾

Animal Welfare

Best Friends Animal Society

Operates the nation's largest sanctuary for homeless animals and works to end the killing of dogs and cats in shelters.

Donate at bestfriends.org ♡ Save to list
Founded 1984 42 years of work
Focus United States
Rating 92/100 Charity Navigator

Charity Navigator rates Best Friends Animal Society 92/100 — reflecting strong financial discipline, transparency, and program delivery against industry benchmarks.

What this charity does

Animal welfare organizations operate through a combination of direct sheltering, advocacy, undercover investigations, legislative campaigns, and corporate engagement. Most rely on a coalition of staff veterinarians, field investigators, attorneys, and volunteers. Funding typically supports veterinary care, facility costs, spay-and-neuter programs, lobbying for stronger animal protection laws, and public education campaigns aimed at reducing demand for products of cruelty.

Why it matters

When evaluating animal welfare charities, look beyond shelter intake numbers. Strong organizations track outcomes — adoptions, returns-to-owner, transfers to partner rescues, and live-release rates — rather than just "animals helped." For advocacy-focused groups, ask about concrete policy wins or corporate commitments secured in the last two years. Animal Charity Evaluators is the most rigorous third-party evaluator for animal-focused giving.

Common programs in this space

Best Friends Animal Society works within animal welfare. These are the kinds of programs typically run in this space — visit their site for current specifics.

  • ✓ Rescue, sheltering, and adoption programs for companion animals
  • ✓ Spay-and-neuter clinics that reduce shelter intake long-term
  • ✓ Investigations into factory farming and laboratory practices
  • ✓ Corporate campaigns pressuring retailers and producers to adopt higher welfare standards
  • ✓ Legislative advocacy for stronger animal protection laws at city, state, and federal levels

How to support beyond a one-time gift

  • + Set up a recurring monthly donation — predictable revenue is more useful than lump sums
  • + Volunteer at a local shelter or affiliate (most need help with adoption events, transport, and fostering)
  • + Foster animals during high-intake periods like summer kitten season
  • + Donate supplies, blankets, or unused pet food directly to local shelters
  • + Advocate for policy changes by contacting your state representatives

Verify before you give

A few minutes of independent verification pays off — especially for larger gifts. These resources let you confirm the details on Best Friends Animal Society:

IRS Tax Exempt Search Confirm 501(c)(3) status ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer Read Form 990 filings Charity Navigator profile Ratings methodology bestfriends.org Annual reports and updates

Frequently asked

Is Best Friends Animal Society a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit?
Best Friends Animal Society operates as a registered nonprofit organization. You can verify their current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status using the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool. We recommend confirming directly on the IRS website before making any large donation.
What percentage of donations to Best Friends Animal Society goes to programs?
Program-expense ratios change year to year and are published in Best Friends Animal Society's annual Form 990 filing. You can read the most recent filings on ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer or Candid (formerly GuideStar). Charity Navigator has rated Best Friends Animal Society at 92/100, reflecting its overall financial health and accountability.
How does Best Friends Animal Society measure its impact?
Best Friends Animal Society publishes impact reporting through its annual report, program-specific updates on its website, and the rating analysis from Charity Navigator. When evaluating animal welfare charities, look beyond shelter intake numbers. Strong organizations track outcomes — adoptions, returns-to-owner, transfers to partner rescues, and live-release rates — rather than just "animals helped." For advocacy-focused groups, ask about concrete policy wins or corporate commitments secured in the last two years. Animal Charity Evaluators is the most rigorous third-party evaluator for animal-focused giving.
What's the most effective way to donate to Best Friends Animal Society?
Most charities — including Best Friends Animal Society — get the most use out of unrestricted, recurring monthly donations. Recurring gifts let the organization plan staffing and program commitments. You can also donate appreciated stock to avoid capital-gains tax, leave a planned gift in your will, or take advantage of employer-matching programs.
How can I support Best Friends Animal Society without donating money?
Set up a recurring monthly donation — predictable revenue is more useful than lump sums Volunteer at a local shelter or affiliate (most need help with adoption events, transport, and fostering) Foster animals during high-intake periods like summer kitten season Visit the official website at bestfriends.org for current volunteer and advocacy opportunities.

More in Animal Welfare

ASPCA 80/100 Humane Society of the United States 79/100 World Animal Protection 91/100 Animal Welfare Institute 93/100