Top Organizations advocating for Animal Welfare, Rights and Protection

If you want to support a non-profit organisation, and have a great passion for protecting animals and conserving their habitats, the following 10 companies could be a great fit. Many are non-profit organizations that give animals in unfortunate circumstances care, food, and protection.

People for Ethical Treatment of Animals

PETA, also known as People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1980. The largest organization of its kind, PETA directs its attention to industries in which the most animals are suffering for the longest period. These industries include research laboratories, the clothing trade, the entertainment industry, and the food industry. PETA advocates for animals and changes to current practices through research, animal rescue, public education, celebrity support, and protests. PETA employs over 300 people in several locations, including Los Angeles and Oakland, California; Washington, DC; and Norfolk, Virginia, where the organization’s headquarters is based. PETA supports a culture of tolerance and kindness with a focus on compassion. Following a vegan lifestyle may be required for some positions, though not all. Potential employees should be passionate and prepared to work hard for the cause PETA supports. The mission is kept at the forefront of everything they do, providing a rewarding culture where employees know they’re making a difference. Employees at PETA are offered medical and dental insurance, 401(k) with a company match, training and professional development opportunities, and a discount on insurance for their pets. In the United States, a 401(k) plan is the tax-qualified, defined-contribution pension account defined in subsection 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. PETA offers full-time work and flexible telecommuting positions, but no part-time work.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is located in Powell, Ohio, in proximity to Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1927, the zoo serves as an important place for wildlife education and awareness. It is one of the leading zoos in the United States. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium offers flexible employment and looks for staff that is passionate about wildlife conservation. In 1978, world-renowned American conservationist and zookeeper Jack Hanna became the director of the Columbus Zoo. Hanna held the position until 1992 and brought global recognition to the organization, making it a world-class educational and recreational site. Hanna’s appearances on popular media outlets, such as Good Morning America, equipped the zoo with a global platform to educate audiences about the natural world. Today, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s work continues thanks to support from partner organizations, which include Pepsi, Nationwide Insurance, Fifth Third Bank, Kroger, and OhioHealth. Its exhibits feature more than 10 000 animals from six distinct regions of the world, including Australia and the Islands, Asia, Congo, Africa, North America, and Shores. Within these exhibits, patrons can witness African leopards and lions, alligators, American bison, Amur tigers, Blood Pythons, Bald eagles, Caribbean flamingos, orangutans, reindeer, wolverines, and many more species. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also hosts special events, such as birthdays, business meetings, weddings, catered and non-catered group events, and school trips. For job seekers interested in working ‘somewhere wild’, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium offers permanent and seasonal jobs, as well as internship and volunteer opportunities. The organization looks for candidates who celebrate ‘diversity in all living things’, ‘human, animal, or otherwise’. Employees work in an inclusive, welcoming environment and are encouraged to pursue bold, creative, and innovative thinking. In the past, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has offered part-time, seasonal, alternative schedule, and flexible schedule positions, as well as temporary jobs with full-time and part-time schedules.

Farm Sanctuary

Farm Sanctuary operates two locations: one in New York and another in California. The rescue organization provides long-term care and rehabilitation services to abused or neglected animals found in factory farms, stockyards and slaughterhouses. In 30 years of operation, Farm Sanctuary has made a significant impact and has rescued more than 10 000 animals. Farm Sanctuary promotes the humane treatment of animals through education and advocacy and offers training and workshops to those interested in caring for animals or starting shelters. Over the past 20 years, Farm Sanctuary’s crucial role in farm animal rescue has aided in rescuing over 10 000 animals.

The Wag Pack

Headquartered in Virginia, a suburb of Washington, DC, The Wag Pack is regarded as the best midday dog-walking and pet-sitting company in northern Virginia. A “fun-loving, pet-spoiling” pet-care company, The Wag Pack, or TWP, has been “making pet parenting easier” for clients since it was founded in 2008. The company employs a team of dedicated, caring professionals who specialize in services for owners of cats, dogs, and other small animals and serves clients throughout Virginia’s Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax areas. As an employer, The Wag Pack seeks responsible pet lovers capable of focusing on exercising and caring for pets while their owners are at work or out of town. The company typically seeks applicants who are available in the mornings, evenings, on weekends, and during holidays when the demand for pet care is greatest. Ideal candidates are honest, flexible, service-oriented, reliable team members capable of working independently in various weather conditions. Flexible Wag Pack jobs offered in the past include part-time jobs, some of which feature flexible schedules. The Wag Pack is a technology-based company that uses online-scheduling software to accurately and securely keep client information, household details, pet-care requests, and other information specific to each client and their pets, which can be accessed by clients and staff members 24/7. Clients can request individual, once-off services or register for TWP’s service contracts, which also include extended pet-sitting, pet taxis, and travel care. Accredited by the Better Business Bureau, The Wag Pack has received local and national industry awards from a variety of publications, such as Professional Pet Sitter, NoVADog, and Washingtonian magazines. In 2012, the company was distinguished as ‘Business of the Year’ by the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters.

International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)

International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is a non-profit organization that works to rescue, safeguard, and protect animals around the world. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., IFAW has offered full-time and remote jobs in the past. Seeking to preserve animal habitats and protect domesticated and wild animals, IFAW was founded in 1969 by a small group of animal rights activists in Canada. Today, the organization has operations and projects in more than 40 countries. The work of IFAW involves protecting animals including dogs, cats, dolphins, polar bears, livestock, elephants, turtles and wolves, and animal populations in emergency situations, as well as in circumstances that involve cruelty and injustice. A major initiative is to help end the problem of endangered seals and whales. Other programs of International Fund for Animal Welfare involve helping to save the last tigers; battling wildlife trafficking; political advocacy on behalf of animals; wildlife conservation; and education programs for children and adults. The main vision of IFAW is “a world where animals are respected and protected”.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

World Wildlife Fund, or WWF, is a global non-profit organization dedicated to conserving nature and minimizing threats to the Earth’s biodiversity. The organization was established in 1961. It’s original aim was to provide an international fundraising body that could work together with existing groups, while maximizing worldwide financial support for conservation. World Wildlife Fund operates in 100 countries, and has earned the support of several million global members. The conservation non-profit’s headquarters are in Washington, DC, and it has a second international office in Switzerland. World Wildlife Fund dreams of a world in which people and nature live in harmony. The organization focuses on six primary areas, including oceans, fresh water, forests, wildlife, climate, and food. World Wildlife Fund’s conservation efforts are based on science, and are acted on at every level, from local projects to global initiatives. World Wildlife Fund’s global headquarters are housed in a LEED Platinum-certified facility that has one of the largest green roofs in Columbia. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building, community and home project types, LEED helps to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability. The facility has over 250 000 square feet of space that is designed to limit waste and pollution, conserve natural resources, and use donated funds wisely. World Wildlife Fund offers a rewarding, fulfilling work environment for a team that shares a devotion to nature and a passion for mission-driven work. The organization offers generous benefits and vacation time for eligible employees. It supports flexible work with jobs for telecommuting work, freelance and temporary positions, and full-time or part-time schedules.

Guide Dogs for the Blind

Guide Dogs for the Blind, or GDB, is North America’s largest guide dog school. It is committed to serving people who are blind or low vision. Since 1942, the organization has built a reputation for quality student training services, highly customized instruction, and dedicated support for graduates. Guide Dogs for the Blind has its headquarters in California, and has a second instructional campus in Oregon. The organization has a sister organization in Canada, Guide Dogs for the Blind International. In 2018, GDB’s work was featured in ‘Pick of the Litter’, an award-winning documentary that was purchased by IFC Films/Sundance Selects. Guide Dogs for the Blind’s mission is to empower lives by building excellent partnerships between dogs, people, and communities. Its board and staff envision a world that makes the best of the unique capabilities of guide dog teams to build greater opportunity, inclusion, and independence for people with vision impairments. GDB has graduated more than 12 500 paired teams from its program throughout the years. The organization is totally funded through donations, and receives no government support. Its services include guides, instruction, and transportation to campus, and are provided at no cost to the individuals served. In the past, flexible jobs with Guide Dogs for the Blind have been posted for freelance work, telecommuting jobs, and part-time schedules.

Best Friends Animal Society

Best Friends Animal Society is a national non-profit organization, the only one of its kind in America entirely dedicated to ending the killing of cats and dogs in shelters. Best Friends Animal Society works to spread no-kill awareness. It leads the Best Friends’ No More Homeless Pets network of rescue groups and shelters around the country. It is also a member of the national non-profit Shelter Animals Court. Since 1984, Best Friends Animal Society has reduced the number of shelter animal killings from 17 million to 4 million. The non-profit has also led numerous grassroots campaigns, including one designed to place dogs and cats into good homes who were considered to be undesirable. Situated on a 4 000-acre campus in Utah, Best Friends Animal Society maintains regional programs in New York, California, Utah, and Georgia, as well as no-kill programs in California and Utah. Every year, more than 30 000 people visit the organization’s no-kill sanctuary, making it the largest sanctuary of its kind in the United States. The organization has been featured on DogTown, an animated series on the National Geographic channel, and the CW’s Dog Town USA. As an employer, Best Friends Animal Society welcomes applications from people who love animals and are willing to dedicate their careers to helping homeless pets live long, healthy, happy lives. Flexible jobs offered by Best Friends Animal Society in the past include full-time and part-time, telecommuting jobs, as well as occasional jobs. Alternative and flexible schedules are offered for some jobs.

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has been rated the area’s main attraction and one of America’s top zoos, according to a Zagat survey. Founded in 1873, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is the second-oldest zoo in the U.S., dedicated to conserving nature, spreading knowledge, creating adventure, and serving the community. The organization’s most-recently-added fourth pillar, community service, involves a responsibility to partner with economically challenged and diverse communities throughout Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden strives to inspire all of its visitors with wildlife every day. The organization’s animal encounters and experiences include feeding times and viewings of sea lions, manatees, snow monkeys, polar bears, insects, elephants, reptiles, birds, and much more. The zoo also partners with the Joanie Bernard Foundation to provide Kroger Cheetah Encounter exhibits and inform visitors about responsible pet ownership. The exhibits show the importance of neutering and spaying domestic cats. The Cincinnati Zoo’s educational programs include opportunities for overnight stays and camps, as well as kids, family, scout, adult, graduate, and school and teacher programs. Named one of Enquirer Media’s “Top Workplaces” for the fourth consecutive year in 2016, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden seeks applicants who demonstrate the following behaviors and values: accountability, collaborative relationships, energy, passion, positivity, pride, progressive thinking, mutual trust, respect, and a sense of ownership. In addition to working with animals and wildlife, the organization offers jobs in business development, entertainment and media, food and beverage, education and training, customer service, retail, and operations. The perfect candidates are active listeners that think creatively, hold themselves to high standards, and promote proactive, open communication. In the past, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has offered part-time, freelance, seasonal, and temporary job opportunities.

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

Founded in 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to address animal homelessness and animal cruelty across the United States. As the country’s first humane organization, the ASPCA is involved in a variety of work, including animal rescue, advocacy, legislative lobbying, animal placement, animal protection, pet care initiatives and distributing pet owner resource and information. As a non-profit organization, the ASPCA relies on volunteers and donors to fund its programs. With its national headquarters in New York, the ASPCA also maintains shelters in many states. It partners with a number of other shelters and welfare agencies throughout the country. As an employer, the ASPCA has a national staff of more than 800 people and offers competitive salaries and benefits, including paid time off, a 401k, health insurance with dental and vision care, and parental leave. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals seeks candidates who believe that animals deserve respectful and kind treatment. It has posted a variety of flexible employment opportunities in the past, including part-time, full-time, temporary, remote, alternative schedule, and freelance positions.