7 Notable Organizations Dedicated to Helping Animals

7 Notable Organizations Dedicated to Helping Animals

8 Great Documentaries About Animal Rights

1. Earthlings (2005)
2. An American Opera (2007)
3. What the Health (2017)
4. At the Edge of the World (2008)
5. Forks Over Knives (2011)
6. Blackfish (2013)
7. Live and Let Live (2013)
8. Behind the Mask (2006)

Tips & Tricks for Vegetarians & Vegans

• Get some vegetarian & vegan cookbooks, so you don't have to modify recipes and have plenty of dishes to choose from.
• Experiment with how you prepare tofu. It has a bad reputation, but it can be a great component of a meal if it's flavored and cooked right.
• Stock up on vegan snacks. Just because you're on a plant-based diet doesn't mean you can't have fun with your food.
• Consider a meatless diet for your dog, although of course you should talk to a vet before making this major change.
• It's not hard to get the protein you need from whole foods, but if you're a body builder or just concerned about protein intake, try mixing a vegan protein powder into a shake or smoothie.

Every Argument Against Veganism

In Depth

Animals are all around us, in cities, in the wild, and even in the depths of the ocean. Unfortunately, they're not always treated with the respect they deserve. Whether you're interested in helping stray cats and dogs find forever homes, supporting environmental conservation efforts, or advocating for animal rights, getting involved with a nonprofit can be a worthwhile experience. In no particular order, here are seven organizations that are dedicated to fighting for the wellbeing of all living creatures.

First up, at #1, we have Friends of Animals, which has been working to end cruelty and exploitation since 1957. The group advocates for wildlife conservation, spaying and neutering pets, and veganism. Beyond that, there are a number of hands-on projects that it supports. These include Primarily Primates, an animal sanctuary in San Antonio, Texas that is home to hundreds of birds, primates, and other creatures, as well as the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project, which gives chimps in Africa a place where they can live out their lives naturally, without being threatened by poachers and urban development.

There are a number of issues that the organization fights for. Via a variety of advertisements on billboards and in the media, it campaigns against the use of fur in the fashion industry. Making its case to both lawmakers and the public at large, the group opposes harmful practices like big game hunting, forcing wild horses off of federal public lands, and killing predators that are an important part of natural ecosystems. Through the magazine "Action Line," readers can stay informed on relevant issues and see how Friends of Animals is working to address them.

There are a number of issues that the organization fights for.

Coming in at #2, we have the Helen Woodward Animal Center. Founded in 1972, this organization believes that animals and humans have the ability to help each other. Not only does the center care for homeless pets and provide adoption services throughout the greater San Diego area, it also has several programs that benefit humans. Critter Camp teaches kids how to live in harmony with nature, while Pet Encounter Therapy allows residents of hospitals, children's shelters, psychiatric units, and more to get an uplifting visit from a furry friend.

California native Helen Whittier Woodward, who founded the nonprofit, grew up with a deep love for animals. When her children left home she bought a farm in Rancho Santa Fe and converted it into a shelter. After Woodward's death in 1983, the center was renamed in her memory and has continued to expand. Those who want to help out can sign up to be a pet foster. By providing a home to a dog or cat, these volunteers help the center to save even more lives.

In the #3 spot, we have Woodstock Farm Sanctuary. First and foremost, the sanctuary is a place in New York where animals are rescued, housed, and cared for. Neglected creatures are taken in from farms, auctions, slaughterhouses, and the streets of New York City, as well as from humane societies and shelters. The organization began with a small, open hay field and expanded to a larger facility complete with barns, a duck pond, and an on-site veterinary hospital. In addition to tending to hundreds of animals themselves, volunteers also work to place some pets into forever homes with families who meet their requirements.

The organization began with a small, open hay field and expanded to a larger facility complete with barns, a duck pond, and an on-site veterinary hospital.

The sanctuary also uses its platform to advocate for animal rights and promote veganism. Its philosophy states that all living beings should be free to live out their lives in peace, without being exploited, tortured, or killed for human gain. On Woodstock's website, anyone interested can find information on the ethics of going vegan, practical tips on how to sustain this diet, and the benefits veganism has on both health and the environment. Those who want to go a step further can become interns on the farm, assisting in either caregiving, marketing, administrative work, or event programming.

#4 on the list is the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. Dedicated to caring for injured marine mammals and releasing them back into their natural habitat, the group rescues and rehabilitates seals and sea lions found on beaches along the coast of Orange County. Staff members treat everything from malnourishment and infections to injuries caused by fishing hooks, nets, and shark bites.

Because several of the problems facing marine mammals today are caused by humans, PMMC works to educate the public about conservation and respecting the ocean. Its free programs for children emphasize the importance of keeping beaches free of trash and teach kids basic principles of marine science. The group also conducts its own research, tracking released patients and working to figure out which diseases affect the mammals it works with and how best to prevent and treat them. If you want to show your support, you can go online and symbolically adopt a seal or sea lion, or buy the center something from its Amazon wishlist.

If you want to show your support, you can go online and symbolically adopt a seal or sea lion, or buy the center something from its Amazon wishlist.

In the #5 spot, we have the Wildlife Conservation Society. Dedicated to protecting both wild animals and the lands they call home, WCS works to maintain a world where wildlife can live and thrive without being threatened by environmental degradation or human interference. Its programs focus on sixteen regions that, collectively, contain more than half of the planet's biodiversity. In places like the Amazon rainforest, Madagascar, and the Rocky Mountains, experts work hard to protect species from urban development, climate change, deforestation, and more.

The society also inspires the public to take an interest in conservation with its New York-based establishments, which include the Bronx Zoo, the New York Aquarium, and the Central Park Zoo, among others. These parks allow visitors to come face to face with everything from gorillas to tigers. Not only do admission fees help fund important research, but seeing nature up close shows guests the real costs associated with poaching and habitat destruction. If you don't live near New York, you can always help out with a monthly donation that supports ongoing efforts to save species around the world.

Coming in at #6, we have the Dumb Friends League. The group was founded in 1910, and it uses the term "dumb" in its name not to insult the animals in its care, but to refer to them because they can't speak. Now the organization, based in Denver, Colorado, proudly provides a voice for those who are unable to advocate for themselves. Staff members rescue animals in bad situations, including homelessness, mistreatment, and neglect, and provide them with food, shelter, and medical attention before placing them in new homes.

Staff members rescue animals in bad situations, including homelessness, mistreatment, and neglect, and provide them with food, shelter, and medical attention before placing them in new homes.

The league also takes preventative measures to reduce pet overpopulation by bringing spay and neuter services to underserved areas and works to stop neglect before it happens with educational programs that teach people young and old about the needs of animals. People who want to financially support the organization have many options. Those who can't afford to give a large donation on their own can set up a fundraising page encouraging friends and family to give what they can.

Finally, at #7, we have the Center for Biological Diversity. Driven by a belief that diversity is valuable and worth protecting in its own right, the center uses media campaigns, scientific research, and the legal system to further its mission of protecting the habitats that a wide variety of species depend on for survival. Looking toward the future, the group is always seeking out opportunities to expand and take action on behalf of threatened creatures and plants.

Its Climate Law Institute project organizes grassroots campaigns, encouraging voters to insist that their representatives take the issue of climate change seriously. And through innovative legal strategies, it fights directly against the dangers of pollution, fracking, and de-regulation of industries that continue to harm the environment. This combination of strategic litigation and movement-building results in both better laws and more vocal public support. By signing up for the center's e-network, people across the U.S. can stay informed on what action they can take to support these efforts.