From community cats to equines, wildlife protection to anti-cruelty advocacy, Ohio Animal Advocates works every day to create a more humane future for animals across our state. During OAA Giving Week, May 25th to May 29th, supporters have the opportunity to directly fuel that work and make an even bigger impact for Ohio’s animals.

This year, OAA is working to raise $5,000 during Giving Week. If we reach that goal, an anonymous donor will unlock an additional $10,000 through a 1:3 matching gift challenge.

That means every donation goes even further to support advocacy, education, collaboration, and lifesaving programs throughout Ohio.

Building Stronger Communities for Community Cats

One area where Giving Week support makes a direct impact is OAA’s community cat advocacy work.

Since 2021, Ohio Animal Advocates has hosted annual virtual and in-person Community Cat Summits that connect trappers, rescuers, veterinarians, shelters, and advocates from across the state. These free educational events help identify Ohio’s TNR deserts, strengthen partnerships between organizations, and develop strategies to expand access to spay/neuter services during an ongoing veterinary shortage.

The summits also create space for advocates to share successful programs that can be replicated in other communities, helping more cats and reducing shelter intake through prevention-focused solutions.

Expanding Education Around “The Link” Between Animal and Human Violence

Giving Week also helps OAA continue providing free and low-cost professional training opportunities across Ohio focused on “The Link” between animal cruelty and human violence.

Through partnerships and collaborations with organizations, including the Ohio Attorney General's Victims Crime Unit, and the Cleveland Elder Abuse Roundtable, OAA helps educate professionals on how animal abuse often intersects with domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and other forms of interpersonal violence.

Support from donors and grantors has helped make these OAA trainings accessible throughout the state, including the upcoming training on Avery’s Law and the Link Between Animal and Human Violence, surrounding Avery’s Law and animal cruelty investigations. This training will be held at Owen's College on June 22, 2026.

Making Advocacy Easier Through Action Alerts

Advocacy remains one of the most important pillars of OAA’s work.

From opposing harmful legislation to supporting stronger protections for animals, OAA regularly mobilizes Ohioans through action alerts and educational campaigns. Recent advocacy efforts have included wildlife protection, puppy mill legislation, dangerous dog law discussions, and animal cruelty reform.

To make advocacy even more accessible, OAA has also integrated tools like Congress+ into action alerts, helping supporters quickly contact legislators and take action on important animal welfare issues in just a few clicks.

Every email sent, petition signed, and legislator contacted helps build momentum for meaningful change.

Growing Advocacy for Equines

This year, OAA also expanded into one of its newest advocacy areas: equines.

From horse slaughter concerns to racehorse welfare and humane standards of care, OAA is working to bring more attention to issues impacting horses across Ohio and beyond. This growing advocacy area reflects OAA’s broader mission to protect all animals from cruelty, abuse, and neglect.

Thank You to Our Grantors and Supporters

Ohio Animal Advocates is incredibly grateful to the donors, grantors, volunteers, and supporters who make our work possible.

Because of your generosity, OAA has been able to host Community Cat Summits across Ohio, provide free educational trainings on “The Link” between animal and human violence, expand advocacy efforts surrounding wildlife and equines, and mobilize Ohioans through action alerts and humane policy initiatives.

Your support has also helped strengthen collaborations with organizations including the,,, victims crime units, and the Cleveland Elder Abuse Roundtable to educate professionals about animal cruelty investigations, Avery’s Law, and the connection between animal abuse and interpersonal violence.

We are especially thankful to organizations such as Kenneth Scott Charitable Trust and the Joanie Bernard Foundation, whose support has helped OAA continue advocating, educating, and building lifesaving partnerships throughout Ohio.

Every donation, grant, share, volunteer hour, and action alert signed helps create a more compassionate future for animals across our state.

Your Support Goes Further

1. Donate between May 25th to May 29th to help us reach our $5,000 goal and unlock an additional $10,000 matching gift opportunity.

DONATE

2. Explore our Advocacy pages to dive deeper into how OAA utilizes funds to support legislative efforts to protect all animals in Ohio and across the United States

3. Subscribe to our e-newsletter to stay up-to-date on animal news in Ohio.