I'm a big supporter of animal rights but am not currently a member of any charities or organisations. A few days ago I read a newspaper article about racoon dogs being stripped alive for their fur (to make fake UGG boots) and it has been on my mind ever since. It has given me the motivation I needed to join an organisation or two.

The question is, which one?

There are so many charities that try to help animals in need and I'm sure they all do a good job. I can't join them all, so how do I choose?

Is anyone on here a member of an organisation that they would particularly recommend (or not recommend)?

I've thought about Peta; does anyone have any experience of them?

I want to help, but want to channel my efforts wisely.

sorry but as soon as you say you like animals and then are considering joining PETA i have to run away from the thread

depends what you want to do are you talking about volunteering or donating gifts or money.

Then again do you have fave animals that you want to support for me its dogs if you like more exotic u will have to do your research thoroughly but think you need to slim down your criteria for this thread and not mention the dreaded PETA

I personally dont donate to any of the big charities they have plenty of people who know who they are and give them money. I concentrate my efforts on small rescues and breed rescues who dont get any funding and do more for animals than a lot of big charities they deal with pound dogs and death row dogs not just donated dogs like some rescues, they are also not in your face for money but are really grateful for food, old blankets sheets and towels etc at this time of the year

I agree with TWS
Find somewhere local and help them either with time/money or by donating food/bedding.

They'll be rescue centres near to where you are...how about volunteering to help them. failing that the Cats Protection League I think do a good job.

Why do you feel that way about PETA? You obviously know more about it than I do. I'd like to know why you feel the way you do.

All the advice is helpful; thanks.

as far as i am concerned PETA are the equivalent of terrorists they not care who they hurt in their protests, you need to do your own research and formulate your own opinions even if you searched just this forum am sure you would come up with some valuable insight let alone when you type it into google

just one article am sure you can track down others

http://www.petakillsanimals.com/

PETA also believe people should not have pets and would rather have them killed or released to the wild to starve or be a nuisance

I donate monthly to WSPA but that is because I don't like how certain countries treat bears, dogs, donkeys etc.. but I would say have a look at a few of their websites and think which you would prefer to help.

Me personally I don't like PETA I feel they are too extreme, also I love animals but I'll hold me hands up I love a good sausage butty.. PETA would chop my head of for that. x

I agree about PETA.

Currently I gift-aid to the dogs trust (gift-aid turns £4 into £5) on a direct debit, and I am truing to resolve my printing issues so I can give cards to sell to the shop in the village that fund-raises for my local cat rescue. I fostered a cat with five kittens for another friend, and used to foster when I lived in Leeds.

Thankyou very much for alerting me to PETA. I had no idea they were so radical. I certainly wouldn't want to join an organisation like that, so thankyou for putting me straight about them.

DR Hadwen trust benefits both animals and humans

How about joining a charity that helps preserve habitat for wild animals?

I've just joined one, I was persuaded by a rep as I was leaving a shop the other day where they had a stand. £5/ month by direct debit becomes £6/month due to tax relief. It's a good cause. I also donate £10/month to Cats Protection by direct debit and have done for years but they're always asking for extra donations. Unfortunately, times are hard for all of us and I wish charities wouldn't keep pestering people who already donate to them - though I appreciate they badly need the money and do a great job.

However, I've also left a bequeath of £5000 in my will to Cats Protection so I feel I've done my bit for animal charities.

The League against Cruel Sports:-

http://www.league.org.uk/

Hope your Cats Protection donation is Gift Aided - just asking as many older donations aren't. It's better than turning £5 into £6, it turns £4 into £5 e.g. it increases your donation by 25% - by 1/4.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/individuals/g...gift-aid.htm#1

wwf or ifaw

Blue Cross they help all pets ~& run a rehoming sheme
They also sell an excellent range of Xmas cards, gifts & calendars

PETA is the only one I wouldn't give to. I don't believe in their extreme tactics for raising awareness. I don't doubt their passion for their cause but I don't agree with their methods. They are extremists not activists. Digging up a womans corpse (the mother of someone who worked in a lab that tested on animals).

I give to the SSPCA and WSPA.

I thought that was SHAC not PETA?

SSPCA and the local cat and dog shelter. My pet insurance is also through the pdsa so they get a cut

I don't support any of the big charities instead I support the smaller rescues. More specifically guinea pig rescues, people often think why bother when it comes to small animals but I totally disagree.

I agree with you the About the Blue Cross they are a very good charity I found 2 kittens I rang them up and they said bring them in they wil find a home for them the RSPCA didn't want to know

I wouldn't join WWF anyway. I signed up to them before when in a shopping centre and said "I will think about it and I won't have the money in my account yet, so don't try and take it"..They said "ok don't worry, we will send you a welcome pack first anyway before we try and take anything." Never received a welcome pack and they tried to take money which in the end left me over drawn about £200 at my bank, even after phone calls to try and stop it etc...So in the end I just closed my bank account.