Many animal advocates search for ways to help improve animal welfare. At ACE, we recommend primarily supporting charities that focus on reducing farmed animal suffering, for example, by pushing for improved welfare standards and supporting the development, production, and use of alternatives to farmed animal products, as these areas provide an opportunity to have a large impact.
Other causes ACE considers to be high impact and recommends are reducing wild animal suffering and capacity building, for instance, by conducting research to find effective advocacy interventions.
In the sections below, we suggest volunteer options for each of these three cause areas.
Volunteer for Farmed Animals
If you are interested in volunteering for an organization that focuses on reducing farmed animal suffering, we encourage you to volunteer with the following recommended charities.
The Good Food Institute (Top Charity)
Learn about ways to engage with GFI on their website.
The Humane League (Top Charity)
The Humane League offers several meaningful ways to get involved with their programs. Volunteer opportunities include online activism, community organizing, campaign actions, fundraising, research, and events.
Çiftlik Hayvanlarını Koruma Derneği (also known as Kafessiz Türkiye) (Standout Charity)
Çiftlik Hayvanlarını Koruma Derneği offers a variety of options for volunteers. Their opportunities include online activism, supporting campaigns through in-the-field actions, and organizing events in your community, school, or workplace.
Compassion in World Farming USA (Standout Charity)
Compassion in World Farming USA currently offers fundraising, community events, and campaigning volunteer positions.
Dansk Vegetarisk Forening (Standout Charity)
Currently, DVF could benefit from Danish-speaking volunteers—especially those residing in Denmark—with high-level IT skills (e.g., website or app development). Please contact Louise Johansen at louisejohansen@vegetarisk.dk to hear more about such opportunities.
Dharma Voices for Animals (Standout Charity)
DVA members may donate their time and talents to advocacy, education, and outreach efforts by connecting with one of the DVA chapters.
Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) (Standout Charity)
In addition to applying for their Animal Activist program, FIAPO offers a variety of volunteer opportunities year-round.
Fish Welfare Initiative (Standout Charity)
Learn more about pro bono and volunteer opportunities at Fish Welfare Initiative on their website.
Material Innovation Initiative (Standout Charity)
Please complete their contact form to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Mercy For Animals (Standout Charity)
Mercy For Animals invites you to organize local events, take online actions, and support their mission in other ways with your skills and passion.
New Harvest (Standout Charity)
New Harvest does not have any volunteer opportunities at this time.
Sinergia Animal (Standout Charity)
Sinergia Animal recruits both local and online volunteers to support their work. Activities range from virtual campaigns to local protests and other forms of animal advocacy. Information on how to volunteer is available in English, Spanish, Thai, Bahasa and Portuguese.
xiaobuVEGAN (Standout Charity)
Please contact monica@plantbasedconsulting.com to inquire about their volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer for Research
Animal Charity Evaluators
ACE offers research fellowships which are usually paid, with the exceptions of some countries we are unable to hire staff in. Mentored by a member of our research team, Research Fellows work on projects that suit their interests as well as ACE’s research priorities. Examples of past fellowship projects include writing research briefs on commonly-used advocacy interventions, exploring ways to make ACE’s charity evaluation process more equitable, and participating on ACE’s Movement Grants Committee.
Faunalytics (Top Charity)
Faunalytics lists a number of volunteer opportunities on their website and currently welcomes library writers and editors, statisticians and research support (especially R experts), graphic designers, and Adwords or SEO professionals. Volunteers are welcome year-round.
Volunteer for Wild Animal Welfare
Wild Animal Initiative (Top Charity)
Wild Animal Initiative is seeking collaborations with researchers in fields relevant to wild animal welfare, such as biology, conservation, and veterinary medicine. They are also looking for driven students in the sciences to organize wild animal welfare discussions or other activities at their universities. Researchers and students can email info@wildanimalinitiative.org to express interest or learn more.
