7 Worst Animal Charities to Donate to | Full List with Details

Do you love animals and want to make a difference in their lives? Before you break out your wallet and donate to an animal charity, be warned: not all organizations are created equal. Some of the worst animal charities are doing more harm than good. Shocked? You should be.

As an animal lover, it’s crucial to understand where your money is going and how it’s being used. In this blog post, we’ll reveal some of the worst animal charities to donate to and explain why you should think twice before supporting them.

Note: This list is made with social media research examples of people sharing their opinions, news articles, reviews and alerts from Charity Navigator (Top website for Nonprofit Intelligence. We are trying to share information and present factual truths. If you think any charities should not be a part of this list, feel free to contact us at nonprofitpoint@gmail.com & we will take it down after a review. Our goal is not to hurt anyone's sentiment but to just share information on what's happening so that you donors won't be affected.

Here are the 7 Worst Animal Charities to Donate to:

1. Macomb County Humane Society

This organization in Michigan, with a mission to offer refuge and care for animals that are homeless or have suffered from abuse, has received a low rating of zero stars due to an overall score of 21.39 out of 70. 

Transparency scores were even lower, indicating that the organization failed to disclose important information to the public. Macomb County Humane Society allocated just over half of its yearly expenditures to charitable programs, with the remaining funds being utilized for administration and fundraising purposes.

2. Home for Life

The overall score of 32.30 for this long-term animal sanctuary based in Minnesota can largely be attributed to a lack of transparency rather than inadequate financial management. However, non-profit organizations that are not forthcoming about their operations tend to raise concerns among consumers due to past instances of fraud. 

Hopefully, the absence of independently audited financial statements and publicly accessible information regarding its leadership is simply a result of the charity’s relative newness and inexperience rather than something potentially more alarming.

3. SPCA International

SPCA International is a charity organization that has faced significant scrutiny regarding its allocation of funds and alleged executive misconduct. Tax records reveal that the charity raised almost $27 million to support animal welfare causes across the globe. However, much of this money was spent on fundraising expenses rather than charitable programs.

Additionally, the organization has been accused of improper behavior by its executives. In another related incident, the Charlottesville area’s animal shelter SPCA had to dismiss two volunteers in a month amid ongoing investigations into treating animals and workers. These issues have raised concerns among stakeholders regarding the transparency and effectiveness of SPCA International’s operations.

4. Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF)

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), a New York-based organization dedicated to caring for retired racehorses, has settled a lawsuit with the state Attorney General’s office. The lawsuit charged the foundation’s board with neglecting their duties by taking on more racehorses than the group could afford to care for, resulting in the neglect and mistreatment of many of these animals. 

The settlement requires TRF to add a veterinarian and new directors to its board, establish a committee to recruit a new CEO, and prohibit the organization from using its endowment fund to secure future loans. TRF has also halted accepting more thoroughbred horses into its herd than it had the resources to sustain adequately.

5. Westside German Shepherd Rescue of Los Angeles

Westside German Shepherd Rescue of Los Angeles has recently come under fire after Ronald and Catherine Gershman Foundation sued the charity and its founder, Robin Jampol, for allegedly misusing $2 million of their $4.7 million donation. The lawsuit claims that Jampol and the shelter engaged in a self-dealing scheme to convert funds and property received for use exclusively at the Pontius facility, which the Gershmans helped to lease, refurbish, and outfit.

The charity has moved approximately 10 times in the past 10 years due to Jampol’s poor management, according to the Gershmans, and many dogs were held in squalid conditions. The charity has a 2.9-star rating based on 11 customer reviews and ranks 47 of 329 among companies in the Animal Services category. Despite the allegations against the charity, Westside German Shepherd Rescue of Los Angeles continues to rescue and adopt German Shepherds.

6. PETA

PETA, or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is a controversial animal rights organization. The Atlantic reports that PETA has a history of euthanizing animals, and in 2019, they killed 65.2% of the animals they took in. The organization also takes issue with humans keeping animals as pets, which they consider “species language.” 

According to numerous reports, PETA has been known to engage in terror campaigns and steal family pets out of people’s homes. They have also been accused of spreading false information, such as claiming that dairy causes autism. According to commonsensehome.com, PETA employees have killed over 33,000 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens since 1998. These controversies have caused some people to question the effectiveness and ethics of PETA’s methods.

7. Humane Society of the United States

The Humane Society of the United States is a non-profit animal welfare organization. However, according to negative reviews on Greatnonprofits.org, the charity has been criticized for its practices. One comment stated that the HSUS breaks up dog-fighting rings and puppy mills and dumps the animals in local shelters without providing any funding. They also lobby to kill most of the animals they “rescue,” such as the Vick dogs, which stops them from fundraising for the animals they aren’t contributing to. 

They partnered with dog fighter Michael Vick recently as well. Another reviewer questioned the charity’s high rating despite spending much of its budget on fundraising. In 2010, they spent $53 million on fundraising and $68 million on programs, a disproportionate amount. The recommended ratio of fundraising expenses to program expenses is no more than 25%. 

Finally, another review claimed that the HSUS only gives 1% of its donations to local shelters. It spends the money collected from animal lovers on an animal rights agenda without considering animal welfare. 

In light of these criticisms, the allegations of sexual harassment against former CEO Wayne Pacelle have the potential to deal a significant financial blow to the organization. The board’s handling of the allegations and donors’ calls for a more thorough investigation and leadership changes could have serious consequences for the HSUS.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, while it is important to donate to animal charities, it is equally important to research and choose wisely. Unfortunately, not all animal charities are created equal, and some may not use your donations in the best way possible. It is important to look beyond the flashy marketing campaigns and check the charity’s financial reports, ratings, and reviews from past donors. It may also be worth considering local shelters and rescue organizations, which may have a greater impact on the animals in your community. Donating to a charity is an act of kindness and generosity. 

Still, it is important to make sure that your donation is going towards the cause you care about and making a difference in the lives of animals. So, before you make your next donation, take some time to research the charity and ensure that your generosity is being put to good use.