A framework to evaluate the effectiveness of animal welfare charities: scoping review and initial development

Animal welfare charities exist to improve animal welfare and rely on charitable giving and, in some countries, government grants. Given the finite nature of such funds, any money received must be used effectively. However, there is little published in the scientific literature on the methodology and tools for assessing the effectiveness of animal welfare charity. This study conducted a scoping review to compile existing assessment methodologies of charities, revealing 29 records of charity effectiveness evaluation methodologies, most of which were found in the ‘grey literature’ from effective altruism organisations. The appraisal of these methodologies was used to inform the development of a framework to evaluate the effectiveness of animal welfare charities applying for a governmental grant in Ireland. This framework consists of a logic model, a weighted factor model, a cost-effectiveness assessment, and a charity accountability assessment. This framework could be used to increase the objectivity of grant-making decisions in Ireland and beyond by assessing the animal welfare impact of a charity’s work based on outcomes, focal species, and animal quality of life before, during, and after a charity intervenes. This would direct more funding to charities that have a greater animal welfare impact and value for money, as well as providing a tool to help charities increase their effectiveness by encouraging them to collect data on the outcomes of their work and to focus on activities that have the greatest animal welfare impact.