Average donations to animal welfare charities are exceeding £20 for the first time, according to research by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).
CAF reported that the average monthly donation made to animal welfare charities has increased substantially over the past five years, while the number of donors has also risen.
Figures from CAF show that monthly donations to animal welfare charities, which is the most popular cause in the UK for the fourth year running, averaged £20.52 in the first six months of 2022.
Average donations to the cause have risen steadily since 2016, when this was £12.23, rising to £14.59 in 2018 when it emerged as the most popular cause.
But donations to animal welfare causes remain lower than the average gifts to charities overall, and far below those to religious organisations, which averaged £80 last year.
Quarter of adults give to animal causes
CAF’s research suggests an estimated 15 million people gave money to animal charities last year, which is more than a quarter of the people aged over 16 in the UK.
Donations to animal charities accounted for 9% of the total value of gifts to charity in 2021.
The survey of 23,792 people showed that following animal welfare, the next most popular causes were children and young people (23%) and medical research (21%).
However, the numbers choosing to donate to these two causes have been falling since 2019.
CAF found animal welfare has been the most popular cause since 2018, when it initially shared first place with children and young people. Since then, the proportion of people giving to animal welfare has increased from 26% in 2018 to 28% in 2021.
Alison Taylor, chief executive of CAF Bank and charity services at CAF, said that even during challenging times, “the public support and enthusiasm for certain causes is unwavering”, particularly when it comes to animals.
“Donating to animal charities can be seen as a way of protecting a vulnerable group, given animals are effectively voiceless and have few rights or laws protecting them. This cause is also diverse, incorporating the protection of wild animals as well as pets,” she said.
“This cause area can also include supporting environmental charities that protect the habitats of animals worldwide, including endangered species.”
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