Anyone can help to make the life of a dog a little more chill. These are some of our
favorite charities, helping to improve the lives of dogs inside and out of our shelters.
Matt Nelson created the WeRateDogs
Twitter account in November of 2015. He posted his first GoFundMe for a dog in need in
2016. Since 2017, the WeRateDogs community has been fundraising every single Friday. They
have raised over $2 million to help families pay for their dogs' medical bills.
In 2020, Matt adopted Doug, a senior German Shepherd with health and behavioral issues.
After dealing with the harsh realities of pet medical bills and adopting Doug, Matt was
inspired to launch the 15/10 Foundation, named for the highest rating any dog has ever
received on WeRateDogs. The Foundation fills a void in the animal welfare world by
sponsoring dogs with behavioral or medical issues unlikely to ever make it out of the
shelter. It hopes to channel the overwhelming support the WeRateDogs audience has shown for
years into effective care for the dogs who need it most.
CUDDLY is a
verified fundraising and wish-list platform dedicated entirely to supporting animal rescues
and shelters. It ensures transparency by requiring partner rescues to be verified 501(c)(3)
nonprofits, often using databases like Charity Navigator and GuideStar to validate
organizations. CUDDLY maintains a top rating on Trustpilot and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Austin Testa began helping dogs when he was 6 years old. On a cold night, he bought $1
fleece blankets at Walmart and donated them to a local animal shelter. He launched a
GoFundMe which has since raised over $100,000. He founded Every Bark Counts as a 501(c)(3)
at 12 years old and holds fundraisers to raise money for shelters and rescues. He purchases
supplies and helps to fund medical care for abused animals. He focuses on rural shelters
because they often get less support. His motto: I'm the voice for the voiceless, because animals can't speak for themselves.
Kacey Montoya has been working with animal charities since she began her television news
career in 2004. In 2019, she founded Fix'n Fidos to raise money for spay and neuter surgeries for low-income residents of Southern
California. They also help with veterinary expenses and vaccines so owners don't have to
surrender their dogs to shelters. Since 2020, she has fundraised via her Fix'n Fidos
Charity Golf Tournament.
Sir Darius Brown began sewing bow ties at the age of 8. A lifelong dog lover, he decided to
help shelter dogs get adopted by making them bow ties to help get them noticed. In 2022, he
started creating and donating Wag Bags full of essentials for new dog adopters. He designs
pet accessories under his Beaux & Paws brand and donates a bow tie for every one he
sells. To date he has raised over $500,000 to help shelter dogs find their forever homes.
Ariela Robinson founded Reducing Animal Stress in 2023, based on her Girl Scout Gold Award
project. She spent many hours volunteering at animal shelters and noticed shelter pets
rarely get toys and enrichment activities, which can increase stress and behavioral issues
that make adoption less likely. They collect and create enrichment and de-stressing items to
donate to local shelters and rescue groups, host fostering events, and create kits to help
keep people and their pets together. Their disaster relief kits are distributed around the
nation to help animals displaced by natural disasters.
Rolling Dog Farm is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit sanctuary in the White Mountains of northern New
Hampshire for dogs that most shelters struggle to place — blind, blind and deaf, missing a
limb, or living with neurological or orthopedic conditions. Founded in 2000 as Rolling Dog
Ranch Animal Sanctuary, it was built on the belief that disability is no reason to give up
on a dog. The farm takes in animals that are among the least likely to be adopted and among
the most vulnerable in traditional shelters, and shows — through the daily lives of the dogs
in its care — that with patience and the right support, they can thrive.
Tails That Teach inspires young children to be kind to pets and people. Its primary focus is
children ages 3–8, as these are critical years to start building empathy through the
human-animal bond. It partners with animal organizations and elementary schools to instill
lessons about kindness, compassion, and empathy.
It was founded by Lisa Wiehebrink, author of Love Me Gently and Gray Whiskers . She is also the founder of National Rescue Dog Day, celebrated annually on May 20 to recognize the special bond that comes with rescuing a
dog while bringing awareness to the countless dogs waiting to be adopted.
Wild Tunes is
a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to soothing shelter animals through live music.
Yuvi Agarwal, an animal lover and musician, founded it in 2023 at the age of 10. Wild Tunes'
mission is to enrich the lives of homeless animals by encouraging volunteers to routinely
play musical instruments at participating shelters to help pets relax and prepare them for
fostering and adoption.
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