Evaluating Animal Welfare Charities

Effective altruism research has identified significant variation in the cost-effectiveness of animal welfare charities; evidence-based giving can multiply the welfare impact of donations.

Key Facts

Animal Charity Evaluators provides independent assessment of animal welfare organisation effectiveness
Top-rated charities typically achieve welfare improvements in farm animals at very low cost per animal
Advocacy organisations that shift corporate or policy practice can achieve welfare improvements at scale
The effective altruism movement has directed millions of dollars toward high-impact animal welfare organisations
Farmed animal welfare is identified as one of the most neglected and high-impact cause areas in EA research

Welfare Considerations

The quality and impact of animal welfare organisations varies enormously, and donation decisions made without evidence of effectiveness may generate much less welfare improvement than those informed by rigorous evaluation. Animal Charity Evaluators applies cost-effectiveness analysis to welfare organisations, identifying those that achieve the most welfare improvement per dollar donated. Their research consistently identifies farmed animal advocacy organisations as achieving exceptionally high cost-effectiveness, often at less than a cent per animal affected. The concentration of donor attention on companion animal welfare, while this welfare matters, may mean that much larger numbers of farm animals are underserved by philanthropic attention.

What You Can Do

Research animal welfare charities using Animal Charity Evaluators before donating
Consider directing at least some donations toward farmed animal welfare as a high-impact area
Share effective giving research with others who care about animal welfare
Support ACE's research as a public good that improves the quality of animal welfare philanthropy
Engage with effective altruism thinking about animal welfare without being constrained by it