Humane Charities Campaign

Trends in Humane Giving: New Survey Caps Nine-Year Analysis Showing Increasing Support for Charities That Do Not Fund Animal Experiments
A Report from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Autumn 2005

Overview | Survey Details | Results | Discussion | Appendix

Discussion

These data show that the concept of humane giving is increasingly popular among the general public. Currently, more than half of Americans endorse statements saying they are unlikely to donate to health charities that fund animal experiments, more than two-thirds are likely to donate to health charities that do not fund any animal experiments, and nearly three-quarters believe it is important that health charities fund innovative non-animal research instead of animal experiments. These numbers have increased over the past decade. As can be seen by Table 1 (see Appendix), the number of people who feel strongly about this issue—those who gave answers like “strongly agree” or, in the case of 2005, “not at all likely” and “extremely likely”—is also increasing.

Additionally, over all years, women are more likely than men to support humane giving principles, which is noteworthy since more women than men give to charity.²

In 1996, young people were more likely than any other age group to be concerned about health charities that fund animal experiments. Interestingly, however, the gap between young and old seems to be closing. The average percentage difference from the highest (younger age groups) to lowest (older age groups) responses for each year is decreasing. In 1996, the average percentage difference was 85 percent. In 2001, that number decreased to 60 percent and is down to a 43 percent difference in 2005.

To further illustrate, Figure 6 compares percentages of respondents who stated that they are likely to donate to a health charity that didn’t fund animal experiments in age groups that are most likely to interest health charities: tomorrow’s major donors (18- to 24-year-olds) and the current donor population (55+). While young people are fairly consistent in their attitudes over the nine-year period, the 2005 survey shows a large increase in support of humane giving in older populations. 

A third survey question, which was added in 2005, provides a glimpse into the importance the public places on the type of research funded by health charities with donated dollars. Figure 7 shows a series of pie charts that illustrate the importance people place on innovative non-animal research in select age groups. These results send a clear message to health charities: People from all age groups who donate to charities prefer non-animal research to animal experiments.

References
1. Fleetwood C. In Vitro Testing Is Coming to Aid, If Not Yet Succeed, the Guinea Pig. The Wall Street Journal Online. 2004 September 29. Available at: http://webreprints.djreprints.com/1082560433505.html. Accessed October 26, 2005.

2. Coffman S. Women and Philanthropy. GuideStar News Articles. 2000. Available at: http://www.guidestar.org/news/features/women.jsp. Accessed November 16, 2005.

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