---
title: The 2021 animal welfare benchmarks have arrived!
description: RKD's 2021 Animal Welfare Benchmarks are in! Let's recap our findings and discuss what they mean for the road ahead.
image: https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hubfs/Animal%20Welfare_22-2-3.jpg
---

[![](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/210111-RKD-Groupthinkers-Rebranded-Logo-Blog-png.png?width=157&name=210111-RKD-Groupthinkers-Rebranded-Logo-Blog-png.png)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com)

- [Solutions](https://rkdgroup.com/services/) 
    - [Mid-Level Giving](https://rkdgroup.com/services/mid-level-giving/)
    - [Monthly Giving](https://rkdgroup.com/services/monthly-giving/)
    - [Lapsed Giving](https://rkdgroup.com/services/lapsed-giving/)
    - [Personalization](https://rkdgroup.com/services/personalization/)
    - [Connectors](https://rkdgroup.com/services/connectors/)
    - [Machine Learning](https://rkdgroup.com/services/machine-learning/)
    - [Marketing + Fundraising](https://rkdgroup.com/services/marketing-fundraising/)
    - [Audience Development](https://rkdgroup.com/services/audience-development/)
    - [Creative Services](https://rkdgroup.com/services/creative-services/)
    - [Data Management](https://rkdgroup.com/services/data-management/)
    - [Strategic Planning](https://rkdgroup.com/services/strategic-planning/)
    - [Analytics](https://rkdgroup.com/services/analytics/)
- [Causes](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/) 
    - [Animal Care](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/animal-care/)
    - [Food Banks](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/food-banks/)
    - [Health + Hospitals](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/health-hospitals/)
    - [Humanitarian](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/humanitarian/)
    - [Missions](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/missions/)
    - [Salvation Army](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/the-salvation-army/)
- [Results](https://rkdgroup.com/results/) 
    - [Acquisition](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=acquisition)
    - [Digital](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=digital)
    - [Mid-Major Programs](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=mid-major-programs)
    - [Advanced Analytics](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=advanced-analytics)
    - [Direct Mail](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=direct-mail)
    - [Multichannel Strategy](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=multichannel-strategy)
    - [Data Management](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=data-management)
    - [Media](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=media)
    - [Website Development](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=website-development)
- [Resources](https://rkdgroup.com/insights/) 
    - [Blog](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/)
    - [Benchmarks](https://info.rkdgroup.com/benchmarks)
    - [Webinars](https://info.rkdgroup.com/webinars)
    - [Ebooks + Research](https://info.rkdgroup.com/ebooks-research)
    - [Podcast](https://info.rkdgroup.com/group-thinkers-nonprofit-marketing-podcast)
    - [Field Guides](https://info.rkdgroup.com/field-guides)
- [About Us](https://rkdgroup.com/about/) 
    - [Leadership](https://rkdgroup.com/about/leadership/)
    - [Careers](https://rkdgroup.com/about/careers/)
- [Let's Chat](https://rkdgroup.com/lets-chat/)

#### Subscribe to our blog

### Subscribe to Email Updates

## Featured Post

<https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rkdgroup.com%2Fwhat-happens-when-a-long-shot-becomes-the-leader-susan-blouch-lebanon-rescue-mission> <http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rkdgroup.com%2Fwhat-happens-when-a-long-shot-becomes-the-leader-susan-blouch-lebanon-rescue-mission> <https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rkdgroup.com%2Fwhat-happens-when-a-long-shot-becomes-the-leader-susan-blouch-lebanon-rescue-mission> <https://plus.google.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rkdgroup.com%2Fwhat-happens-when-a-long-shot-becomes-the-leader-susan-blouch-lebanon-rescue-mission>

  [RKD Group](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/rkd-group)

## [What happens when a 'long shot' becomes the leader? | Susan Blouch, Lebanon Rescue Mission](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/what-happens-when-a-long-shot-becomes-the-leader-susan-blouch-lebanon-rescue-mission)

“They are never going to give this job to a woman,” a friend told Susan Blouch.

[Podcast](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/podcast) [Missions](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/missions) 

[Read More](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/what-happens-when-a-long-shot-becomes-the-leader-susan-blouch-lebanon-rescue-mission)

<https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rkdgroup.com%2Fwhy-nonprofits-must-unite-seo-social-and-paid-media-in-one-strategy> <http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rkdgroup.com%2Fwhy-nonprofits-must-unite-seo-social-and-paid-media-in-one-strategy> <https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rkdgroup.com%2Fwhy-nonprofits-must-unite-seo-social-and-paid-media-in-one-strategy> <https://plus.google.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rkdgroup.com%2Fwhy-nonprofits-must-unite-seo-social-and-paid-media-in-one-strategy>

  [Shane Thornal](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/shane-thornal)

## [Why nonprofits must unite SEO, social and paid media in one strategy](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/why-nonprofits-must-unite-seo-social-and-paid-media-in-one-strategy)

Someone at your organization “owns” paid media. Someone else—often younger and under resourced—runs the social accounts. A third person (or maybe no one\[...\]

[Digital Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/digital-fundraising) [SEO](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/seo) [Digital Media](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/digital-media) [Social Media](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/social-media) [Data & Analytics](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/data-analytics) 

[Read More](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/why-nonprofits-must-unite-seo-social-and-paid-media-in-one-strategy)

## Recent Posts

[Trends](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/trends) [Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/fundraising) [Animal Care](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/animal-care)

# The 2021 animal welfare benchmarks have arrived!

By [RKD Group](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/rkd-group)

Like many other nonprofits, animal welfare organizations have had to adapt their fundraising programs over the last two years. However, unlike nonprofits focused on human services, animal welfare organizations didn’t necessarily experience the same influx of new donors during the pandemic.

Despite this, animal welfare organizations have still seen growth (you’ll see this in our 2021 Animal Welfare Benchmarks). Before we jump into the metrics, let’s discuss a few key things we’ve learned over the last year:

1. [Animal welfare organizations are focused on sustainable growth](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/future-focus-3-keys-to-sustainable-growth-in-animal-welfare)

With the future in mind, animal welfare organizations who want to see sustainable growth are focusing on diversifying their revenue and channel mix to meet new donors where they are. Those that leaned into this are seeing more growth than those that shrunk their programs due to adversity.

2. [They’re modernizing their stewardship programs](http://blog.theaawa.org/stewardship-breaking-free-from-the-ask-and-repeat-model/)

New technology has caused organizations to reassess and refocus their stewardship practices and how they thank new donors.

3. [They’re building loyalty with sustainers](http://blog.theaawa.org/with-a-little-effort-sustainers-will-be-there-for-you/)

In times of uncertainty, having a consistent, reliable source of revenue can be a huge difference maker.

4. [Digital investment is a priority](http://blog.theaawa.org/one-small-change-that-can-have-a-major-impact-on-digital-revenue/)

With digital accelerating at lightning speed, many animal welfare organizations are prioritizing the optimization of their digital programs.

With that being said, let’s take a look at the 2021 Animal Welfare Benchmarks:

![](https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/3fqmhbu4vh/swatch)

Like the results in the video show, animal welfare organizations are experiencing steady, year-over-year growth. As revenue continues to climb and more and more donors retain, the next few years will be critical.

##### Contact us to see how your results stack up against other animal welfare organizations. 

 

### [RKD Group](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/rkd-group)

RKD Group is North America's leading fundraising and marketing services provider to hundreds of nonprofit organizations, including hospitals, social service, disease research, animal welfare, rescue missions, and faith-based charities. RKD Group’s omnichannel approach leverages technology, advanced data science and award-winning strategic and creative leadership to accelerate net revenue growth, build long-term donor relationships and drive online and offline engagements and donations. With a growing team of professionals, RKD Group creates breakthroughs never thought possible.

[Follow me on Twitter](https://twitter.com/RKDGroup)

<https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rkdgroup.com%2Fthe-2021-animal-welfare-benchmarks-have-arrived> <http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rkdgroup.com%2Fthe-2021-animal-welfare-benchmarks-have-arrived> <https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.rkdgroup.com%2Fthe-2021-animal-welfare-benchmarks-have-arrived>

#### Leave a comment:

<https://blog.rkdgroup.com/the-2021-rescue-mission-benchmarks-are-in>

<https://blog.rkdgroup.com/the-2021-rescue-mission-benchmarks-are-in>

Previous

##### [The 2021 rescue mission benchmarks are in!](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/the-2021-rescue-mission-benchmarks-are-in)

<https://blog.rkdgroup.com/our-2021-food-bank-benchmarks-are-here>

<https://blog.rkdgroup.com/our-2021-food-bank-benchmarks-are-here>

Next Post

##### [Our 2021 food bank benchmarks are here!](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/our-2021-food-bank-benchmarks-are-here)

### Search GroupThinkers

![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/459002/Assets%20Apr/magnifying-glass.png)

[![GP FG - Blog Rail 340x340](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GP%20FG%20-%20Blog%20Rail%20%20340x340.png?width=340&name=GP%20FG%20-%20Blog%20Rail%20%20340x340.png "GP FG - Blog Rail 340x340")](https://info.rkdgroup.com/givingpulse-field-guide-q1-2024-access)

[![MidYear Benchmarks-Sidebar_SolidGold](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MidYear%20Benchmarks-Sidebar_SolidGold.png?width=340&name=MidYear%20Benchmarks-Sidebar_SolidGold.png "MidYear Benchmarks-Sidebar_SolidGold")](https://info.rkdgroup.com/donor-trust-access)

- Latest Posts
- Popular Posts

<https://blog.rkdgroup.com/what-happens-when-a-long-shot-becomes-the-leader-susan-blouch-lebanon-rescue-mission>

[What happens when a 'long shot' becomes the leader? | Susan Blouch, Lebanon Rescue Mission](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/what-happens-when-a-long-shot-becomes-the-leader-susan-blouch-lebanon-rescue-mission)

[ Podcast](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/podcast) [ Missions](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/missions)

<https://blog.rkdgroup.com/rossis-roundup-the-fundraising-landscape-is-shifting.-are-you-ready>

[Rossi's Roundup: The fundraising landscape is shifting. Are you ready?](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/rossis-roundup-the-fundraising-landscape-is-shifting.-are-you-ready)

[ Nonprofit Industry](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/nonprofit-industry)

<https://blog.rkdgroup.com/rkd-group-acquires-whiteboard>

[RKD Group Acquires Whiteboard](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/rkd-group-acquires-whiteboard)

[ Digital Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/digital-fundraising) [ Direct Mail Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/direct-mail-fundraising) [ Multichannel](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/multichannel) [ Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/fundraising) [ Nonprofit Industry](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/nonprofit-industry) [ RKD](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/rkd) [ Brand](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/brand)

### Categories

- [Digital Fundraising (180)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/digital-fundraising)
- [Podcast (136)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/podcast)
- [Nonprofit Industry (126)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/nonprofit-industry)
- [Data & Analytics (91)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/data-analytics)
- [Digital Media (69)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/digital-media)
- [Fundraising (55)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/fundraising)
- [Trends (47)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/trends)
- [COVID-19 (42)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/covid-19)
- [Multichannel (41)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/multichannel)
- [Food Banks (39)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/food-banks)
- [Animal Care (37)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/animal-care)
- [Donor Retention (36)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/donor-retention)
- [Mid-Major Donors (35)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/mid-major-donors)
- [Strategy (35)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/strategy)
- [Direct Mail Fundraising (34)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/direct-mail-fundraising)
- [Missions (32)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/missions)
- [Stewardship (31)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/stewardship)
- [Creative (29)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/creative)
- [Leadership (24)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/leadership)
- [Sustainer Donors (20)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/sustainer-donors)
- [Year-End Giving (19)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/year-end-giving)
- [Acquisition (18)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/acquisition)
- [Social Media (18)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/social-media)
- [Cultivation (17)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/cultivation)
- [Email (16)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/email)
- [Google Grant (15)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/google-grant)
- [Optimization (15)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/optimization)
- [SEO (15)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/seo)
- [Data Privacy (14)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/data-privacy)
- [Technology (14)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/technology)
- [Giving Tuesday (13)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/giving-tuesday)
- [Humanitarian Action (13)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/humanitarian-action)
- [Events (12)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/events)
- [Donation Pages (11)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/donation-pages)
- [Health & Hospitals (11)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/health-hospitals)
- [Conversion (10)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/conversion)
- [Brand (9)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/brand)
- [Donor Lifecycle (9)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/donor-lifecycle)
- [Donor-Advised Funds (9)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/donor-advised-funds)
- [Management (8)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/management)
- [RKD (8)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/rkd)
- [Audience-First (6)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/audience-first)
- [Facebook (6)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/facebook)
- [The Salvation Army (6)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/the-salvation-army)
- [GDPR (4)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/gdpr)
- [User Experience (4)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/user-experience)
- [Conferences (3)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/conferences)
- [Election (3)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/election)
- [Postal Service (3)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/postal-service)
- [Attribution (2)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/attribution)
- [Capital Campaigns (2)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/capital-campaigns)
- [Gift Catalog (2)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/gift-catalog)
- [Ministries (2)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/ministries)
- [Mobile (2)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/mobile)
- [CRM (1)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/crm)
- [Corporate giving (1)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/corporate-giving)
- [DRTV (1)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/drtv)
- [Planned Giving (1)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/planned-giving)

see all

[![Gen X eBook download](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gen%20X%20eBook%20download.jpg?width=360&name=Gen%20X%20eBook%20download.jpg "Gen X eBook download")](https://info.rkdgroup.com/en/the-nonprofit-marketers-guide-to-generation-x)

### Read More of What You Like

## [What nonprofit leaders learned in 2025 | RKD Group: Thinkers](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/what-nonprofit-leaders-learned-in-2025-rkd-group-thinkers-podcast)

<https://blog.rkdgroup.com/what-nonprofit-leaders-learned-in-2025-rkd-group-thinkers-podcast>

## [Fundraising lessons from 2025: Clarity in the noise](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/nonprofit-fundraising-lessons-from-2025)

<https://blog.rkdgroup.com/nonprofit-fundraising-lessons-from-2025>

## [Why the nonprofit sector’s future depends on leaders learning together | RKD Group: Thinkers](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/nonprofit-alliance-tnpa-abby-graf)

<https://blog.rkdgroup.com/nonprofit-alliance-tnpa-abby-graf>

![Rkdgroup](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hubfs/Rkdgroup%20Sep%202017/Images/footer_logo.png "Rkdgroup")

- [Solutions](https://rkdgroup.com/services/)
- [Work](https://rkdgroup.com/work/)
- [About Us](https://rkdgroup.com/about-us/)
- [Blog](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/)
- [Contact](https://rkdgroup.com/contact/)

[Contact](https://rkdgroup.com/contact)

- <https://www.facebook.com/RKDFundraising/>
- <https://twitter.com/RKDFundraising>
- <https://www.linkedin.com/company/3671885/>

RKD Group is a leading fundraising and marketing provider to hundreds of nonprofit organizations. We have a team of experts with deep skill sets in direct response marketing.

[connect@rkdgroup.com](mailto:connect@rkdgroup.com) [1 800 222 6070](tel:1-800-222-6070) [Privacy policy](https://rkdgroup.com/privacy-policy)

- <https://www.facebook.com/RKDFundraising/>
- <https://twitter.com/RKDFundraising>
- <https://www.linkedin.com/company/3671885/>

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "RKD Group",
    "url" : "https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/rkd-group"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2022-04-11T22:06:14.956Z",
  "datePublished" : "2022-03-17T18:55:22.000Z",
  "headline" : "The 2021 animal welfare benchmarks have arrived!",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hubfs/Animal%20Welfare_22-2-3.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.rkdgroup.com/the-2021-animal-welfare-benchmarks-have-arrived",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hubfs/RKD-logo-red-tm%20(1).png"
    },
    "name" : "RKD Group"
  }
}
```