What Are Animal Support Groups?

Animal support groups exist for different purposes, such as animal protection and welfare, adoption, education, animal rights, and pet loss support. In addition, there are some groups concerned with endangered species.

  1. Animal Rights

    • Animal rights organizations, such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), are against eating meat of any kind and wearing fur or leather. In addition, they lobby for legislation to stop experimentation on animals and exploitation, such as performance in circuses and placement in zoos.

    Protection and Welfare

    • Animal protection and welfare groups include organizations such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the Humane Society of the United States. They exist to educate the public about the humane treatment of animals and to prevent overpopulation by advocating spaying and neutering pets.

    Local Organizations

    • Humane societies exist across the nation in local jurisdictions to provide food and shelter for lost, stray, and abandoned animals. They attempt to place them in homes whenever possible.

    Pet Loss

    • Pet loss support groups offer bereavement counseling and advice for coping with the loss of a pet. Some groups hold regular meetings.

    Endangered Species

    • Animal Info (see Resources) provides a list of organizations that have a general interest in animals. It also lists organizations concerned with endangered animals, categorized by species.

    Locations

    • Green People offers a list of animal rights and animal protection organizations. It provides 248 listings in the United States and Canada, as well as 36 in other countries.