Make a Donation
Our work to protect animals would not be possible without the generous donations we receive each year. The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is committed to using our donors’ contributions for the direct benefit of animals, with more than 90 percent of funds going toward program expenses.
The following are among the recent successes achieved through the support of our members and advocates across the globe:
- AWI’s Center for the Study of NIBRS Animal Cruelty Data was launched in April 2024. This first-of-its-kind resource offers easy access to the animal cruelty crime data collected via the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).
- The US Department of Agriculture finalized new Horse Protection Act regulations to safeguard Tennessee walking horses from the abusive practice of soring. AWI has long advocated stricter penalties and stronger oversight to end this horrific practice. Under the new regulations, ineffective self-policing by the industry will be replaced with greater governmental oversight and meaningful protections that ensure a safer, brighter future for horses.
- The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) revised its animal housing facilities code to require sprinklers in medium- and large-sized farmed animal facilities, marking a critical step forward for farmed animal welfare. This new requirement—championed by AWI, which has a seat on the NFPA’s Technical Committee on Animal Housing—was maintained despite vigorous efforts by industry groups to derail it.
- AWI expanded its humane education resources for young animal welfare advocates—including its page of free resources on the Teachers Pay Teachers website—and continued to inspire students to pursue career and advocacy opportunities with its annual essay contest and AWI scholarships.
- AWI and allies successfully petitioned the US Fish and Wildlife Service to list the Atlantic humpback dolphin under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), opening the way for increased conservation funding and enhanced international collaboration to save the species from extinction. In addition, following an AWI 2013 petition and over 10 years of advocacy, the USFWS has, at long last, proposed the pygmy three-toed sloth for listing under the ESA.
Take Action to Help Animals
Take action to help protect animals by visiting AWI’s Action Center and signing up for action alerts. Please spread awareness about these issues with your friends and family and encourage them to take action, too!
Get Involved
- Spread the word about AWI to your friends, family, and community.
- Read and share the AWI Quarterly—the magazine of the Animal Welfare Institute—which examines issues regarding animals in the laboratory, on the farm, in commercial trade, at home, and in the wild.
- Follow us on social media, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and Bluesky.
- Check your voter registration status and learn how to communicate effectively with your legislators.
- Visit our Job Openings and Internships pages to learn about available opportunities.
- AWI welcomes pro bono assistance from attorneys interested in working on animal protection cases. To learn more about opportunities to use your legal background and skills to help animals, please contact AWI’s general counsel and chief legal officer, Robin Jacobsohn, at [email protected].
Animal Programs
Please click on a topic below to learn more about AWI’s programs and find out what you can do to help animals: