HOW IT WORKS | YOUR DONATION IN ACTION
Why we don't run our own shelter, and why that's actually better for animals
(Source: Sneha’s Care)
If you've ever hesitated before donating to a charity, wondering whether your money would actually reach the animals it was meant for, then you're not alone. It's one of the most common reasons people hold back, even when they deeply want to help.
At Global Animal Welfare Fund, we think that hesitation is completely reasonable. And you deserve a straight answer.
So here it is.
100% of your donation goes directly to animals, not administration
One of the things that makes Global Animal Welfare Fund different is how we handle operational costs. All of our costs, including staff, administration, and overheads, are covered personally by our founders, which means public donations are not touched by the costs of keeping the lights on. Our board is also made up entirely of volunteers who have experience in the animal welfare space.
Every structural decision we've made has been with one goal in mind: making sure that when someone donates to us, as much of that money as possible reaches the animals who need it.
We fund specific projects, not a general pool
Global Animal Welfare Fund doesn't collect donations into a general fund and decide what to do with them later. Instead, we identify specific, high-need projects by trusted organisations we vet, who are already doing frontline rescue and care operations. We then allocate funding to those projects directly.
This means you can always see what your money is supporting. Whether it's transport and vet treatment for rescued dogs in China, feed and fencing for a native wildlife sanctuary in Queensland, or bridges for sloths in Costa Rica, the impact is real, specific, and traceable.
What GAWF actually funds
We fund the practical, essential, and often life-saving things that animal welfare organisations struggle most to afford:
- Veterinary treatment and rehabilitation. Emergency vet care, surgery, ongoing medical treatment, and rehabilitation support animals need to recover properly.
- Food, medicine, and essential supplies. The everyday basics that keep rescued animals healthy while they wait for their forever home.
- Shelter infrastructure. Fencing, enclosures, safe housing, and sanctuary upgrades that give animals a secure, comfortable place to heal.
- Rescue equipment and transport. The tools and logistics that make getting animals to safety possible in the first place.
- Education and prevention. Initiatives that address the root causes of animal cruelty and neglect, so fewer animals end up in crisis to begin with.
(Source: Vervet Monkey Foundation)
We work with organisations already on the ground
Rather than building our own shelters or running our own rescue operations, Global Animal Welfare Fund strengthens the organisations that are already embedded in their communities and already doing the work. This approach avoids duplication, keeps funds efficient, and means help reaches animals quickly, through people who know their local context better than anyone.
Every organisation we fund is carefully vetted. We assess their welfare standards, their track record, and their accountability, and we will withdraw support if those standards aren’t maintained. Integrity is baked into how we operate; it isn’t just something we talk about.
(Source: Head Over Hooves)
Why we don’t run our own shelters
We sometimes get asked why we don’t just build our own shelter or sanctuary. If the goal is to help animals, wouldn’t running things directly give us more control over the outcome?
It’s a fair question. And the honest answer is that the organisations already doing this work are better at it than we could ever be starting from scratch.
Building and running a shelter takes enormous resources, from land and staff to infrastructure and ongoing operational costs. Every dollar spent on establishing a new facility is a dollar that doesn't reach an animal in urgent need right now. And the animal welfare world doesn’t need more organisations competing for the same donations. It needs existing frontline rescues to be better funded, better resourced, and better supported.
That’s where we come in. Global Animal Welfare Fund acts as the funding bridge, connecting donors who want to make a real difference with the organisations who are already making one. Our model is built on trust, efficiency, and deep respect for the people who have dedicated their lives to this work. We amplify their efforts, instead of trying to duplicate them.
That means more animals helped, more quickly and more efficiently, with the full expertise of people who have been doing this work for years, in communities they know and care about deeply.
Started in Australia, growing globally
(Source: Rescue Paws Thailand)
We started in Australia in 2019, jumping into action at the start of 2020 to provide support in the wake of the catastrophic bushfires. One of our board members referred to it as akin to a ‘baptism by fire’ for the charity.
Global Animal Welfare Fund founder, Caryl Himmelmann had already dedicated much of her life to animal welfare, and this was naturally the next step.
After the bushfire relief, she and her family started supporting rescued farm animals in Australia and underfunded native wildlife projects that often fell through the cracks.
Quickly, they saw that the need didn’t stop at our borders. Driven by her and her family’s lifelong love of animals and their long-standing relations with rescues and sanctuaries, Global Animal Welfare Fund has expanded from there to help diverse animals in regions all over the world, including:
- Wildlife and farm animals in Australia
- Dogs in China, bound for slaughter in the dog meat trade
- Sloths in Costa Rica
- Elephants and street dogs in Thailand
- Monkeys in South Africa
- Dogs and farm animals in Nepal
…And the list is still growing.
Giving with confidence
We know that trust is earned, not assumed. That's why transparency is a commitment for us, not just a value. We want every person who donates to Global Animal Welfare Fund to feel completely confident that their money is being used responsibly, efficiently, and for exactly the purpose they intended.
Animals can't advocate for themselves. They can't research charities, compare overhead ratios, or decide who to trust. But you can, and when you choose to donate through Global Animal Welfare Fund, you're making sure that your care reaches the animals who need it most, without getting lost along the way.
Ready to make your donation count? Every dollar you give goes directly to the frontline, to real animals, real care, and real change. You can make a difference here.
Frequently asked questions
Does 100% of my donation really go to animals?
Yes. Global Animal Welfare Fund covers operational costs separately, so public donations can go directly to frontline animal welfare projects.
Why doesn’t GAWF run its own shelter?
Because funding existing rescue organisations is usually a faster, more efficient, and more effective way to help animals. It avoids duplication and supports experienced teams already doing the work.
What kinds of projects does GAWF fund?
GAWF funds veterinary care, food and medicine, rescue transport, shelter infrastructure, equipment, and prevention initiatives that reduce future harm.
How does GAWF choose which organisations to support?
Organisations are carefully vetted for welfare standards, track record, accountability, and on-the-ground effectiveness before funding is approved.
Is GAWF only focused on Australia?
No. While GAWF began in Australia, it now supports carefully selected animal welfare organisations in multiple countries around the world.
Can I see where the money goes?
Yes. GAWF funds specific projects rather than collecting donations into a vague general pool, which makes the impact clearer and more traceable.
Why is funding existing rescues better than starting a new one?
Existing rescues already have local knowledge, infrastructure, networks, and hands-on experience. Supporting them allows help to reach animals more quickly and efficiently.
What does “funding bridge” mean?
It means GAWF connects donors who want to help with trusted rescue and sanctuary organisations already delivering direct care to animals.
Does GAWF support emergency cases only?
No. GAWF supports both urgent emergencies and longer-term needs like infrastructure, rehabilitation, supplies, and prevention work.
How can I donate to GAWF?
You can donate directly through the official donation page linked below. Donations support real, vetted animal welfare projects on the frontline.
Your donation goes further here
Every dollar you give goes directly to the frontline — funding real rescue work, real care, and real outcomes for animals who need it most.
No overhead. No guesswork. Just transparent, targeted impact.