There are numerous organizations trying to protect animals and generate awareness about animal issues. Below are a few links to websites that provide further information.

NOTE: If an organization is missing from the list below that you believe is credible and helpful, please contact us with their name.

Animal Protection and Advocacy
The mission of each organization below varies, ranging from animal welfare to animal protection to animal rights.

American Humane
http://www.americanhumane.org/

ASPCA: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

www.aspca.org

Animal Welfare Institute
http://www.awionline.org/

Best Friends Animal Society
http://www.bestfriends.org/

BornFree USA Animal Protection Institute
http://www.api4animals.org

Companion Animal Protection Society CAPS
http://www.caps-web.org

Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM)

http://www.farmusa.org/about.htm

Friends of Animals
http://www.friendsofanimals.org/

Helping Animals
http://www.helpinganimals.com/

Humane Society of the United States
http://www.hsus.org/

In Defense of Animals
http://www.idausa.org/

International Animal Rescue

http://www.internationalanimalrescue.org/get_involved.php

International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)

http://www.ifaw.org/us/

League Against Cruel Sports

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

Kinship Circle
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/

Maddie’s Fund
http://www.maddies.org/

Noah’s Wish
http://www.noahswish.org/

Pasado’s Safe Haven
http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/

PETA: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
http://www.peta.org/

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)

http://www.rspca.org.uk/home

The Guardian Campaign
http://guardiancampaign.com/

World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)

http://www.wspa.org.uk/members/Default.aspx

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

http://www.wwf.org/

Animal Protection and Advocacy - MINNESOTA

Animal Folks MN
http://www.animalfolksmn.org

Minnesota Voters for Animal Protection

http://www.votersforanimals.org

Animal Humane Society - Investigative Division/Public Policy
http://www.animalhumanesociety.org/

Minnesota Humane Society 
http://www.mnhumane.org/

Minnesota Federated Humane Societies

http://www.humanesocieties.net/

Animal Rights Coalition
http://www.animalrightscoalition.com/

CRY: Circus Reform Yes!
http://www.crymn.org/

Compassionate Action For Animals

http://www.exploreveg.org/

Animal Law

Animal Legal Defense Fund
http://www.aldf.org/

Minnesota State Bar Association - Animal Law Committee
http://www.mnbar.org/

American Bar Association (ABA) - Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS); Animal Law Committee
http://www.abanet.org/tips/animal/animalrelief.html

William Mitchell Law School (Minnesota) – Animal Law
http://www.wmitchell.edu/curriculum/

Hamline Law School (Minnesota) – Animal Law
http://www.hamline.edu/search/

Michigan State University College of Law: Animal Legal & Historical Web Center
http://www.animallaw.info/

TUFTS University: Center for Animals and Public Policy
http://www.tufts.edu/vet/cfa/

Stanford Law School – Animal Law
http://www.law.stanford.edu/

Anti-Puppy Mill/ Auction/ Pet Store sites
Some of these sites are national; some state-specific.

http://www.stoppuppymills.org/

http://www.njcapsa.org/

http://www.prisonersofgreed.org/

http://www.nopuppymills.com/

http://www.nowisconsinpuppymills.com/

http://www.awawatchdog.com/

http://www.banpuppymills.com/

http://www.banOhioDogAuctions.com/

http://www.petshoppuppies.org/

http://www.Pet-Abuse.com/

http://www.api4animals.org/

Animal Health / Animal-Human Bond / Veterinarian Services

Humane Research Council

http://www.humaneresearch.org/

University of Minnesota; CENSHARE: Center to Study Human-Animal Relationships and Environments
http://www.censhare.umn.edu/

Animal Population Health Institute
http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/aphi/

AAHA: American Animal Hospital Association
http://www.aahanet.org/

Program for Companion Animal Behavior, University of California Davis
http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/

Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society, University of Pennsylvania
http://www2.vet.upenn.edu/research/centers/cias/

Center for the Human-Animal Bond, Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine
http://www.vet.purdue.edu/chab/

AAVS: American Anti-Vivisection Society
http://www.aavs.org/

The People-Pet Partnership (PPP), Washington State University
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-pppp/

AVMA: American Veterinary Medical Association
http://www.avma.org/

MVMA: Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association
http://www.mvma.org/

Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine
http://www.vetmed.state.mn.us/

The Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights
http://www.avar.org/

National Association for Biomedical Research
http://www.nabr.org

Applied Animal Behaviour Science
http://www.elsevier.com/locate/applanim

Delta Society
http://www.deltasociety.org/

Animal Behavior Society
http://www.animalbehavior.org/

Animals as Intermediaries (AAF)
http://www.aai-nature.org/

Society & Animals Forum
http://www.psyeta.org/sa

Latham Foundation
http://www.latham.org/

People, Animals, Nature (PAN)
http://www.pan-inc.org/

Fur, Fins & Feathers
http://www.furfinsfeathers.com/

Therapet
http://www.therapet.com/

Vet Tech: Vet Tech Schools and Online Vet Tech Programs

http://www.vettech.org/

Animal Lost and Found

Animal Humane Society

www.animalhumanesociety.org

(This organization has a Lost and Found online Bulletin Board where lost and found pets can be posted -- specific to Minnesota.)

Second Chance Animal Rescue

www.secondchancerescue.org

(This website has a Lost Pet brochure specific to Minnesota. Go to site and click on brochure link on the home page: Lost Your Pet?.)

Pets911
http://www.pets911.com/

Pet Finders
http://www.petfinder.org/

Pet Harbor
http://www.petharbor.com/

Avian Rescue
http://www.avianrescue.org/

World Animal Net Directory
http://worldanimalnet.org/new.asp

Minnesota and National Spay and Neuter Networks and Services

MNSNAP: Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Progam

http://www.mnsnap.org/

SPAY, Inc.
http://www.spay.org/

SPAY USA
http://www.spayusa.org/

Y2Spay
http://www.y2spay.org/

Animal Welfare, Sheltering and Control

Animal Sheltering
http://www.animalsheltering.org/

Society of Animal Welfare Administrators
http://www.sawanetwork.org/

NACA: National Animal Control Association
http://www.nacanet.org/

MACA: Minnesota Animal Control Association
http://www.minnesotaanimalcontrol.org

Animal Rescue
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

Minnesota Animal Shelters, Rescue Groups, Humane Societies and Sanctuaries
It’s estimated there are over 175 humane societies, animal shelters, rescue groups and animal sanctuaries in Minnesota. There is not a comprehensive, up-to-date list. For now, please see links below to find a local animal shelter in your community. (If a shelter, rescue group or vet clinic takes in or advertises "strays," then they are licensed and inspected by the State of Minnesota. Many do not and are not. Before working with an organization, meet the people and confirm its reputation and animal care practices.)

Animal Humane Society (serving Minnesota and Upper Midwest)
http://www.animalhumanesociety.org

Petfinder: Minnesota Animal Shelters
http://search.petfinder.com/

Pet Industry

APPMA: American Pet Product Manufacturers Association
http://www.appma.org/

Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council
http://www.pijac.org/

National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy
http://www.petpopulation.org/topten.html

AKC: American Kennel Club
http://www.akc.org/

CFA: Cat Fanciers Association
http://www.cfainc.org/

Dog Owner’s Guide
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/akc.html

NAIA: National Animal Interest Alliance
http://www.naiaonline.org/

MISC: Animal Resources, Facts, Definitions

Links: Animal Resources and Facts

http://www.startlocal.com.au/articles/educational_animalres.html

Links: Animal Rights, Animal Welfare, International Animal Laws

http://www.startlocal.com.au/articles/educational_animal_rights.html