Making Animal Friends

Animal Friends Insurance has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to animal welfare, placing it at the core of its operations. Since its founding in 1998, the organisation has donated over £9 million to more than 830 animal welfare and conservation charities around the world.

These contributions have supported vital rescue, care, and conservation initiatives, with this commitment growing in significance during periods of global instability and economic hardship.

The rising cost of living has placed increasing pressure on pet owners, with veterinary bills and pet food prices both rising sharply. In many cases, this has led to pet abandonment, the closure of animal shelters, and added strain on charities already operating under pressure.

In such challenging circumstances, financial support remains critical. Charities across the UK and internationally have been able to continue protecting animal welfare thanks, in part, to ongoing donations from Animal Friends Insurance.

One example of this support is StreetVet, a national charity providing free veterinary care to people experiencing homelessness who have kept their pets by their side. StreetVet’s volunteer vets and vet nurses work closely with outreach organisations, delivering accessible care directly within communities across the country.

With funding from Animal Friends Insurance, StreetVet has provided vital care to more than 3,000 animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets and others. Between 2019 and 2025, Animal Friends Insurance donated £114,500 to support StreetVet’s work across the UK.

Animal Friends Insurance also supports Big Issue’s work tackling homelessness and poverty. This includes sponsoring dog tabards for vendors, recognising the important role these dogs play in offering companionship and bringing joy to people who buy the magazine on the streets.

According to Jack Fenning, Public Affairs Specialist at Animal Friends Insurance, “The pet crisis has intensified since the Covid pandemic, with the current economic climate compounding the challenges. More people and their pets are facing hardship, and shelters are increasingly stretched.”

Fenning adds that, as a nation of animal lovers, there is a shared responsibility to care for the animals that share our lives.

Beyond direct financial support, Animal Friends Insurance works to drive positive change in animal welfare policy. Through collaboration with charities and parliamentary events, it has helped spotlight key issues including efforts to ban the import of hunting trophies and support for Ruby’s Law, which seeks to protect animals affected by domestic abuse.

Animal Friends Insurance has also begun a long-term partnership with international wildlife charity Born Free, supporting its work to create a safer future for wild animals and the natural world they depend on.

Animal Friends has more than 36,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot. Pet wellbeing remains its top priority, with its business built around a commitment to animal welfare, peace of mind for customers, and straightforward access to the care pets need.

To find out more, visit animalfriends.co.uk.