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Rescue guides

Animal Rescue Guides: Help and Support

Find practical animal-help guidance, local rescue routes and information about supporting animal welfare.

116 rescue guides 17 country guides £5/month sponsor routes Clear status registered not-for-profit
An animal needs help Search rescue guides

In brief

Found an injured animal? Contact a local vet, wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife authority and follow its instructions. Use the help finder for contact options, or search the rescue guides to understand animal-welfare issues and ways to support them.

By WARN Research & Conservation TeamLast updated

Found an injured animal?

Find the right first contact

The help finder connects what you can see with practical guidance and independent contact options. A qualified local responder can assess the animal and advise what to do next.

Found an animal that needs help?

Find the right next step

Choose what you can see to find practical guidance and contact options. WARN does not operate an emergency dispatch service. If a person is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services.

Keep a safe distance and contact a professional. Contact options updated for Choose location / elsewhere.

Keep a safe distance and contact a professional

  1. Observe from a safe place and keep children and pets away. Do not approach large wildlife, bats, snakes, birds of prey, or sick or dead birds.
  2. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator, local wildlife authority or vet promptly. Describe visible injuries, breathing difficulty, entanglement or a collision without trying to diagnose the animal.
  3. Ask for species-specific instructions before handling, moving or feeding it. Do not enter a road, fire zone, railway or water to attempt a rescue.

Guidance: RSPCA: injured wildlife advice. Reviewed 8 September 2026.

Contact options

IWRC: international wildlife help resources

These independent services have their own areas, hours and capacity. For an injured dog or cat, call a local veterinary practice first. If you cannot reach a responder, try the local wildlife authority or another vet; do not wait for a reply from WARN.

What to tell a responder

Share the exact location or map pin, when you found the animal, what you can see and how to contact you. Take a photo only from a safe distance. Explain any nearby traffic, fire, water, people or pets so the responder can plan an appropriate response.

Searchable rescue library

Find the Right Rescue Guide

Search by animal, country or question. Filter the results to find practical background and the support options relevant to you.

Showing 1-18 of 116 guides

What do you need?
Animal rescue donations fund partner-led CNVR, wildlife rescue and working-animal welfare abroad
Donor questions

Donor intent · Rescue giving

Animal Rescue Donations — How to Give Effectively

An animal rescue donation is most useful when its purpose, recipient and reporting are clear. Through WARN, choose a named appeal or unrestricted support, understand that grants require assessment and agreement, and check the public register for available records.

UK donorsRead guide
A free-roaming street dog — the kind of animal international welfare donations fund through partner-led CNVR abroad
Dogs & cats

UK donors · Honest comparison

Best Animal Charities to Donate To UK

When comparing animal welfare organisations, match the work to your intended purpose and review legal status, published reports and donation terms. WARN is a UK CIC raising funds towards assessed support, not a registered charity; UK Gift Aid is unavailable.

UK donorsRead guide
Street dogs in a partner city — the kind of animals UK dog-rescue donations fund through humane CNVR
Dogs & cats

UK donors · Dog rescue donations

How to Donate to Dog Rescue

Donate to dog rescue from the UK by matching the goal: a local registered rescue for rehoming nearby, or WARN — a UK CIC, not a charity — for partner-led CNVR and rabies vaccination in Pakistan, the Philippines, India and Nepal.

UK donorsRead guide
A community cat abroad — the kind of animal UK cat-charity donations fund through partner-led TNVR and quarantine
Dogs & cats

UK donors · Cat charity donations

Donate to a Cat Charity UK

Donate to a cat charity from the UK by matching the goal: a local registered rescue for rehoming nearby, or WARN — a UK CIC, not a charity — for partner-led community-cat TNVR and meat-trade quarantine in Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia.

UK donorsRead guide
Street dogs in a partner city — the kind of animals UK symbolic dog adoption funds through humane CNVR
Dogs & cats

UK donors · Symbolic dog adoption

Adopt a Dog Symbolically UK

You can adopt a dog symbolically with WARN from £5 a month (about 16p a day) or with a one-off gift. Your donation supports WARN’s Karachi street dogs appeal, and you receive a personalised digital certificate that can name a gift recipient. It is symbolic: no individual animal is assigned to you.

UK donorsRead guide
Community cats in a partner city — the kind of animals UK symbolic cat adoption funds through TNVR and quarantine
Dogs & cats

UK donors · Symbolic cat adoption

Adopt a Cat Symbolically UK

You can adopt a cat symbolically with WARN from £5 a month (about 16p a day) or with a one-off gift. Your donation supports WARN’s dog and cat meat-trade appeal, and you receive a personalised digital certificate that can name a gift recipient. It is symbolic: no individual animal is assigned to you.

UK donorsRead guide
A Bornean orangutan holding both arms above its head among trees in Sepilok, Sabah, Malaysia.
Dogs & cats

Recurring giving · Sponsorship

Monthly Animal Sponsorship

Monthly animal sponsorship through WARN from £5/month at symbolic adoption is recurring programme support for partner-led rescue abroad — not naming or owning an individual animal, not Gift Aid eligible, cancel anytime by email. You receive a receipt, not a zoo visit.

UK donorsRead guide
A group of street dogs standing beside shuttered shops in Karachi, Pakistan.
Wildlife rescue

Donor intent · International welfare

Help Animals Abroad

To help animals abroad, learn from credible local sources, support an appropriate welfare purpose and share accurate information. WARN offers appeals for assessed support; its country guides provide context and do not establish funded operations in those countries.

All supportersRead guide
A Bornean orangutan holding both arms above its head among trees in Sepilok, Sabah, Malaysia.
Adopt & sponsor

UK donors · Symbolic orangutan adoption

Adopt an Orangutan UK

You can adopt an orangutan symbolically with WARN from £5 a month (about 16p a day) or with a one-off gift. Your donation supports WARN’s orangutan welfare and conservation appeal, and you receive a personalised digital certificate that can name a gift recipient. It is symbolic: no individual animal is assigned to you.

UK donorsRead guide
A sea turtle swimming through clear blue water above a rocky seabed at Kaputas Beach, Turkey.
Adopt & sponsor

UK donors · Symbolic adoption

Symbolic Animal Adoption UK Charity

Symbolic animal adoption through WARN is a UK-friendly monthly or one-off donation from £5/month directed to a species rescue programme abroad — not ownership of an individual animal, and not Gift Aid eligible because WARN is a registered global not-for-profit, not a UK charity.

UK donorsRead guide
Dog and cat welfare support through international partner-led rescue work
Dogs & cats

UK donors · Dogs and cats abroad

Donate to Help Dogs and Cats Abroad

UK supporters can donate to help dogs and cats abroad by funding partner-led veterinary care, neutering, vaccination, emergency rescue, shelter capacity and humane alternatives to culling or meat-trade suffering.

UK donorsRead guide
Street dogs in a partner city — the kind of animals UK monthly rescue donations fund through humane CNVR
Wildlife rescue

UK donors · Monthly giving

Monthly Donation to Animal Rescue

A monthly animal rescue donation to WARN is recurring support for a selected appeal or the unrestricted fund. Choose an affordable amount and check the funding policy; a recurring gift does not guarantee a clinic day, treatment or grant.

UK donorsRead guide
Street dogs in a partner city — the kind of animals UK gifts to animal charities abroad fund through partner-led programmes
Donor questions

UK donors · International giving

Donate to an Animal Charity Abroad UK

UK donors can support animal welfare abroad by choosing an organisation with a relevant purpose, clear legal identity and evidence of how funds are used. WARN accepts donations towards assessed animal-welfare support as a UK CIC; it is not a registered charity or Gift Aid eligible.

UK donorsRead guide
A Sumatran tiger looking through tall green grass, with its face and striped forehead visible.
Wildlife rescue

UK donors · Wildlife rescue intent

Donate to Wildlife Rescue from the UK

To contribute towards wildlife rescue through WARN, choose a species appeal and read its purpose and funding status. Veterinary assessment, suitable care and habitat protection may be eligible areas to assess; naming a country or organisation in a guide does not confirm a WARN grant.

UK donorsRead guide
Street dogs in a partner city — the kind of animals UK gifts fund through humane CNVR abroad
Dogs & cats

UK donors · Street dog welfare abroad

Help Street Dogs Abroad

Help street dogs abroad from the UK by funding partner-led Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return and rabies vaccination where the dogs live — not by flying animals to Britain.

UK donorsRead guide
A group of street dogs standing beside shuttered shops in Karachi, Pakistan.
Dogs & cats

CNVR · Public health

Rabies Vaccination for Street Dogs — Donate

You can donate to rabies vaccination for street dogs through WARN — gifts are intended to support WHO-endorsed Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return programmes that vaccinate free-roaming dogs against rabies in Pakistan, the Philippines, India and Nepal, targeting the roughly 70% coverage WHO cites for transmission interruption.

UK donorsRead guide
A Sunda pangolin moving along a thin branch among green leaves in North Sumatra, Indonesia.
Adopt & sponsor

Wildlife rescue · Pangolins

Donate to Pangolin Rescue

You can donate to pangolin rescue through WARN at pangolin appeal — gifts are intended to support partner-led seizure triage, low-stress rehabilitation and release monitoring for Sunda pangolins in Malaysia and Indonesia and Indian pangolins in regional trafficking context.

UK donorsRead guide
Mountain gorillas, including young animals, hanging from a branch in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda.
Wildlife rescue

Wildlife rescue · Gorillas

Donate to Gorilla Conservation

You can donate to gorilla conservation through WARN at gorilla appeal — gifts are intended to support partner-led veterinary response for snared and injured mountain gorillas, snare removal in Bwindi and Mgahinga and conflict mitigation in Rwanda and Uganda.

UK donorsRead guide

How to choose an animal rescue donation

A little research helps you choose support that matches the need and your budget.

  1. 1

    Choose the cause you want to support

    Browse appeals for the current priorities and the purpose of each fund. If you are helping an animal in front of you, contact a local responder before considering a donation.

  2. 2

    Read the organisation and fund information

    Check the legal identity, intended use of funds, recipient-selection process and reporting. WARN explains these at registration status and where your money goes.

  3. 3

    Choose an affordable amount and frequency

    Check whether you are making a one-off or recurring gift before paying. The Kalimantan appeal currently accepts one-off gifts while organisations and suitable uses are assessed. Its terms explain fees, review dates and what happens if a suitable use cannot be agreed.

  4. 4

    Keep your receipt and follow the updates

    Use manage for help with an existing donation. Appeal updates and the grant register explain funding decisions as information becomes available.

Donate vs adopt vs sponsor at a glance

Ways to support WARN. Read the terms of the fund or adoption before you give.
RoutePurposeFrequencyStart here
General donationSupport WARN’s animal-welfare purposes; see the allocation policyOne-off or monthlydonate
Named appealSupport the purpose described in that appeal’s fund termsAs offered on the appeal; Kalimantan is one-offappeals
Symbolic adoptionSupport animal welfare through a symbolic gift; no animal ownership or rehomingCheck the selected adoptionsymbolic adoption
Monthly sponsorshipOngoing support through a recurring giftMonthlysponsor

Where should I start?

Choose how to support animals

Explore a cause, understand symbolic support or read the information you need before giving.

View current appeals
Dogs in a shelter setting

I want to donate

Start with the core donation guide, then choose dog, cat, wildlife or monthly giving.
Dog representing symbolic adoption and monthly sponsorship

I want to adopt or sponsor

Explore symbolic support for an animal, with clear information about your gift.
Sun bear representing wildlife conservation

I want to help wildlife

Support pangolins, parrots, orangutans, big cats, sea turtles and anti-trafficking work.
Supporters discussing how to give to animal rescue

I need donor answers

Understand WARN’s registration, donation terms and proposed grant-selection process.

Explore the library

Browse Rescue Guides by Topic

Open a topic to explore its guides, from animal-welfare issues to choosing a donation or symbolic adoption.

Donate How to choose an animal-welfare cause and understand your donation. 20 guides
Adopt & sponsor Understand symbolic adoption, recurring gifts and what your support includes. 5 guides
US donor guides Giving in US dollars, symbolic adoption and WARN’s registration status. 8 guides
General donor guides Shelter giving, wildlife donations, occasion gifts, corporate CSR and legacy wills. 15 guides
Species adoption & sponsorship Explore symbolic support for elephants, orangutans, tigers, sea turtles, pangolins and macaws. 24 guides
Species & wildlife Pangolin, tiger, gorilla, lion, orangutan, rhino and anti-trafficking rescue guides. 23 guides
Countries & programmes Street dogs, working equines, meat-trade rescue and country-specific welfare guides. 17 guides
UK & US donors Registration, Gift Aid and payment questions for UK and US supporters. 17 guides

Rescue guides: frequently asked questions

What should I do if I find an injured wild animal?
Keep a safe distance, keep children and pets away, and contact a local wildlife rehabilitator, wildlife authority or vet. Describe the location and what you can see. Ask for species-specific instructions before handling, moving or feeding the animal. The help finder above links to independent services and source guidance.
Can WARN send someone to rescue an animal?
WARN does not operate an emergency dispatch service. Contact an appropriate local responder directly, especially for injury, entanglement or a dangerous location. If a person is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services. Do not wait for a response to a WARN contact form.
Does a baby animal found alone need rescuing?
Not always. Parents may be nearby, and a feathered fledgling on the ground may still be receiving care. Observe quietly from a distance and keep pets away. If the animal is injured, has been caught by a cat or dog, or is in danger, contact a wildlife rehabilitator or vet promptly for advice.
How can I donate to help animals in Indonesia?
Read kalimantan wildlife fires appeal for the current evidence, proposed use of funds and one-off donation terms. WARN staff are meeting organisations in Indonesia to understand needs; grant recipients have not yet been selected. The appeal explains how funds will be assessed, reviewed and reported.
How does WARN explain where donations go?
WARN's target is for at least 80% of unrestricted donations to support eligible animal-welfare programmes. This is a planning target, not an achieved result. Named appeals follow their own published fund terms. This is a planning target, not an audited result. where your money goes explains the allocation policy, financial-reporting status and grant register. Recipient selection is described at grant selection.
Is WARN a registered charity, and can I claim Gift Aid?
No — World Animal Rescue Network is a registered global not-for-profit animal welfare organisation, not a registered charity. WARN is a regulated not-for-profit with a statutory asset lock that keeps assets dedicated to animal welfare and community benefit. Legal registration details are on our registration status page. No. WARN is not eligible to claim Gift Aid. World Animal Rescue Network is a registered global not-for-profit animal welfare organisation, not a registered charity. International donors should check their own local rules. Read registration status for the full legal details.
Does symbolic adoption mean an animal comes to live with me?
No. WARN’s symbolic adoption pages offer symbolic support, without ownership or rehoming. If you want to adopt a pet locally, use the independent shelter-finder links at shelter directory and ask the rescue about its assessment and care requirements.
How can I help if I cannot donate?
Share a dated appeal or useful animal-welfare guide with a short explanation and its source link. For the Kalimantan appeal, make clear that WARN is assessing organisations and has not yet selected grant recipients. For hands-on volunteering or supplies, ask a local organisation what it currently needs before travelling or sending goods.

Ready to give?

Read the current appeals and choose an affordable gift. Each appeal explains its purpose and terms; the money page explains how WARN plans to allocate and report funds.

Donate today Symbolic adoption