FAQ

What does IFAW stand for?

International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Where in the world does IFAW work?

We are proud to say that we work around the world and with countless partners whose mission and values align with ours. Here is a map of where we work!

Where can I see IFAW's financials?

We know our partners and donors have trusted us with their donations. That’s why we’ve gone ahead and listed all necessary financials on our website, including 990s, financial statements and annual reports.

You say individual animals matter. Which animals matter to you? Are IFAW projects working with the same animals?

All animals matter. At any given time, regional IFAW projects focus on one species or another depending on variables present in the ecosystem and nearby animal populations. Other IFAW projects, like our Marine Mammal Rescue and Research or Disaster Response teams, go wherever the need is.

In any case, individual rescues don’t happen in a vacuum. We’re always thinking about how to compound individual rescues to make meaningful interventions on the scale of a population or ecosystem.

Can you explain what it means that “individual animals matter in conservation”? Does that cover all animals? Does that mean IFAW has now an animal rights agenda?

Individual animals matter in conservation for at least three big reasons: the first is that every single animal has sentience, dignity, and intrinsic worth. The second is that when populations (let alone species) approach a vanishing point, saving one animal could make the difference between existence and extinction. Third and finally, we’ve seen how the life of one animal—say, a milk cow—can support an entire human community.

I want to help animals not people. Do you continue to take care of animals? I’ve been hearing a lot about people.

The problems facing animals are intertwined with, and often exactly the same as, those facing humans. We’ve learned from experience that if you want to help animals, you have to factor people into the equation.

I see an emphasis on rescue and conservation. Where does welfare land in all of this? Is it still a priority for IFAW?

Animal welfare remains core to our mission. Our dual-emphasis on rescue and conservation is a strategy that we believe promotes animal welfare. After all, rescue addresses animals’ immediate needs (e.g. emergency care), while conservation tackles long-term issues (e.g. habitat loss). To sustain the welfare of species and the places they call home, our work must be comprehensive.

How does the rebrand impact the founding mission of the organization? How will this impact ongoing work?

Our vision is to help people and animals thrive together. The only impact we expect the rebrand to have on our work is that it helps us do a better job connecting with—and growing—our audience.

How many people work at IFAW?

Over the past 50 years, we’ve grown our team to include 328 staff in 16 offices with projects operating in 40 countries. Experts in biology, cybercrime, ecology, forensic science, forestry, oceanography, and zoology. Activists and negotiators. Rescue workers and consensus-builders. People who think big and act boldly.

Where is the international headquarters located?

Washington, DC with offices around the world, including the International Operations Center located in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts.