This time of year, we all tend to think about giving a bit more than usual. But it can also be hard to know which charities are handling your hard-earned money well and staying true to their word. Charity Navigator is a site that rates non-profits on a 4-star rating based on an unbiased numbers-based system. You can give with confidence to these eight, high-ranking charities.
#1 – Banfield Charitable Trust (4 stars)
Since 2002, the Banfield Charitable Trust has been working to keep pets and owners together. They offer support for emergency and preventative veterinary care, help struggling pet owners with their pet care needs, and offer grants to pet-related organizations that are providing solutions to end pet surrendering.
#2 – Petco Foundation (4 stars)
The mission of the Petco Foundation is to “raise the quality of life for pets and people who love and need them.” They have many programs and grants that help pets in a variety of ways including adoptions, disaster relief, food banks, and Make-a-Wish programs.
#3 – Petfinder Foundation (4 stars)
Did you know that PetFinder is a nonprofit? It is a public charity that “works to end the euthanasia of adoptable pets by assisting animal shelters and rescue groups across North America.” They have given grants to more than 13,000 organizations since 2003.
#4 – Petsmart Charities (4 stars)
One of the largest pet charities, Petsmart rates in the top 1% of all charities on the Charity Navigator site. They have given more than $27 million to communities all across the United States and Puerto Rico.
#5 – Adopt A Pet.com (3 stars)
Adopt-a-Pet.com (formerly 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com) is the largest nonprofit pet adoption website. They work with over 13,600 animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups and pet adoption agencies to get more pets adopted to forever homes.
#6 – National Humane Education (3 stars)
Since 1948, their mission has been “to foster a sentiment of kindness to animals in children and adults. We provide humane education, rescue and relief assistance for animals as well as screened adoption services.
#7 – Pet Partners (3 stars)
Formerly the Delta Society, they are an international nonprofit organization dedicated “to demonstrating and promoting that positive interactions with animals improve people’s physical, psychological and emotional health.” They have a large Therapy Animal Program that trains and evaluates volunteer teams, as well as a Service Animal Program that provides information and resources for those looking for a service dog.
#8 – Best Friend’s Society (3 stars)
Their mission is simple: to end euthanasia in American’s animal shelters and have no more homeless pets. They are working towards their goals through partnerships, local programs, events, initiatives and their own private sanctuary.
Toledo, United States.
