World Animal Net
World Animal Net was a 501(c)(3) nonprofit network that maintained the world's largest directory of animal protection organizations (17,000+ listings across 100+ countries) and provided free advocacy training and policy resources, before ceasing independent operations in 2021 to join the World Federation for Animals.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersBoston, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What World Animal Net does
World Animal Net (WAN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1997 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, whose mission is to improve communication and coordination among the world's animal protection groups. WAN operated as a network and content platform for the global animal welfare movement, maintaining the world's largest directory of animal protection organizations — over 17,000 listings in 100+ countries — alongside a portfolio of advocacy resources including an 8-module Strategic Advocacy Course, a Model Animal Welfare Act, a Humane Education program, an International Policy program, a Constitutions Project, and a Collaborations Program covering coalition-building methodology. Its technology footprint was modest: a content website, a searchable directory, and a monthly newsletter, with no proprietary software products, no application, and no API. The organization ran on a small staff of 1-10 supplemented by volunteer experts and consultants who donated their time.
The business model was non-commercial. WAN did not sell products or charge for access; all directory entries, training courses, advocacy materials, and policy resources were offered free of charge to animal protection organizations, policymakers, and the general public. Funding came from donations and grants typical of a 501(c)(3), and the organization held Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), originally granted in 2001 and upgraded in 2015, which gave it formal standing to participate in international policy processes on animal welfare. WAN was affiliated with or held leadership positions in a range of coalitions, including ICFAW, the Species Survival Network, the Fur Free Alliance, the National Council for Animal Protection, Eurogroup for Animals, and the Pan African Animal Welfare Alliance.
In early 2021, WAN ceased separate operations and became a founding member of the World Federation for Animals (WFA), transferring its network and mission into a new global federation. The WAN website remains accessible as an archive of its directory and resource library, but the organization no longer operates as an independent entity.
World Animal Net firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- World Animal Net
- Legal name
- World Animal Net
- Website
- https://worldanimal.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Closed
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- World Animal Net was a 501(c)(3) nonprofit network that maintained the world's largest directory of animal protection organizations (17,000+ listings across 100+ countries) and provided free advocacy training and policy resources, before ceasing independent operations in 2021 to join the World Federation for Animals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
World Animal Net industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Animal Welfare Advocacy Services
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), International Affairs (9721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Animal Health Policy, Standards & International Coordination (e.g., WOAH/FAO) (HLAMAJAO)
Keywords
Where World Animal Net is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
World Animal Net business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, World Animal Net relies on donations and grants to fund operations. The organization's work is primarily conducted by experts and consultants who donate their time and expertise.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
World Animal Net product offering
Product offeringCore offering
World Animal Net is a nonprofit network organization that maintains the world's largest online directory of animal protection organizations (17,000+ listings in 130+ countries) and provides free advocacy training, model legislation, policy resources, and coalition-building guidance to the global animal protection movement. Its offerings include the Strategic Advocacy Course, Collaborations Program, Humane Education Program, International Policy Program, Model Animal Welfare Act, Constitutions Project, and the World Animal Navigator newsletter, all distributed digitally at no cost.
Product overview
World Animal Net operates as a platform of interconnected programs rather than a single product. The core offerings include the WAN Directory (the world's largest animal protection organization database with over 17,000 listings), the Strategic Advocacy Course (an 8-module training program), and the Collaborations Program (guidance on coalition building). These are supported by specialized resources including the Humane Education Program, International Policy Program with its International Policy Forum, the Model Animal Welfare Act, and the Constitutions Project. The World Animal Navigator newsletter provides ongoing communication. All programs work together to improve communication and coordination among animal protection groups worldwide, with the directory serving as the foundational resource enabling networking and collaboration across the movement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- WAN Directory The world's largest directory of animal protection organizations, providing contact and program focus information for over 17,000 organizations in more than 130 countries. Enables animal protection groups, policymakers, and individuals to locate organizations for collaboration, referrals, and consultation.
- Strategic Advocacy Course A comprehensive 8-module online training course on Strategic Advocacy for Animal Welfare, adapted from best practices across civil society sectors. Modules cover social change, strategic planning, research, networking, campaigning, media, lobbying, and monitoring/evaluation.
- Collaborations Program Resource program providing information on different models of joint working (networks, coalitions, alliances, and federations), with advice on forming and managing such collaborations and details of existing animal protection collaborations.
- Humane Education Program Program providing information and guidance on best practice in humane education, including the case for need, methodology, approaches, case studies, and links to resources for implementing humane education programs.
- International Policy Program Program providing an overview of the international animal protection policy environment, including information on OIE standards, UN engagement, EU policy, and the World Organization for Animal Health regional strategies.
- Model Animal Welfare Act A model animal welfare act designed as a basic template and guidance document for those interested in enacting new legislation or improving existing animal protection legislation, drafted using an extensive comparative law exercise and best practice in the field.
- Constitutions Project Project providing background information on advocacy for inclusion of animal protection in constitutions, including the first comprehensive listing of animal protection provisions in constitutions around the world.
- International Policy Forum A forum established in 2014 that convenes key representatives in the global field of animal protection to collaborate, network, and develop policy proposals and joint advocacy on significant international issues.
- World Animal Navigator Newsletter Monthly newsletter bringing the latest news on WAN resources and programs, with special features highlighting organizations and guest posts from the international animal protection community, including quarterly International Policy Updates.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 17,000 organizations listed in directory enabling global collaboration
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use World Animal Net
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
World Animal Net technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
World Animal Net partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United NationscoreWAN was granted consultative status with ECOSOC in 2001, and in 2015 was granted Special Consultative Status, allowing greater influence at the United Nations. This enables WAN to build partnerships, develop collaborative relations, and influence relevant agendas at the international level.
- International Coalition for Animal Welfare (ICFAW)coreWAN is affiliated with ICFAW, which represents non-governmental animal welfare organizations from all over the world at the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
- Species Survival Network (SSN)coreWAN is affiliated with SSN and has provided leadership, including organizing and operating the office for SSN during CITES Conferences of the Parties.
- Fur Free Alliance (FFA)coreWAN is affiliated with FFA and has worked through the alliance to get the biggest NO Fur campaign in China off the ground.
- National Council for Animal Protection (NCAP)coreWAN has held presidency/oversight of NCAP, a council of 28 national and regional organizations in the USA.
- DierenCoalitie - The NetherlandsmajorWAN is affiliated with the Dutch Animal Coalition of 21 national groups working toward animal welfare legislation.
- Eurogroup for AnimalscoreWAN is affiliated with Eurogroup for Animals, working together on European animal welfare advocacy.
- World Federation for Animals (WFA)coreIn early 2021, WAN became a founding member of the World Federation for Animals and ceased separate operations, embarking on a new chapter as part of this federation.
- Pan African Animal Welfare Alliance (PAAWA)majorWAN has worked closely with PAAWA, assisting with the development of its first strategic plan and action plan.
- Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organizations (FIAPO)majorWAN has supported FIAPO in developing animal protection networks across India, improving animal welfare through mobilizing, networking, and building organizational capacity.
- World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)coreWAN is a member of ICFAW which represents NGOs at the OIE. WAN has worked on developing regional animal welfare strategies with OIE and its Regional Economic Communities.
- ActAsia for AnimalsmajorWAN has served as Advisory Director to ActAsia for Animals and collaborated on multiple animal welfare initiatives.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
World Animal Net competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Compassion in World Farming: Global farm animal welfare organization with EU and international policy advocacy; overlaps with WAN's farm animal policy work and connections to WAN directors.
- Humane Society International: Large, established international animal welfare organization active in policy, advocacy, and capacity-building; overlapping with WAN's UN-facing and training roles but with a much larger footprint.
- International Fund for Animal Welfare: Global animal welfare and conservation NGO working across policy, rescue, and advocacy; comparable international scope to WAN, though with a different operational mix.
- Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA International): Long-established animal welfare organization with international capacity-building work that overlaps with WAN's training, advocacy, and global coordination activities.
Direct peers
- World Animal Protection: Global animal welfare NGO operating in roughly the same international advocacy and policy space as WAN, with comparable mission focus on animal protection across many countries.
- World Federation for Animals: Successor federation in which WAN became a founding member in 2021. It absorbs WAN's directory, advocacy curriculum, and policy access, making it the most direct comparable entity going forward.
- International Coalition for Animal Welfare (ICFAW): Coalition of NGOs representing animal welfare interests at the OIE/WOAH; WAN is a member, and ICFAW directly parallels WAN's role in international animal welfare policy coordination.
- FOUR PAWS International: International animal welfare organization with programmatic work overlapping WAN's advocacy and policy areas; its Southeast Asia operations were formerly led by WAN's co-founder.
- Eurogroup for Animals: European animal welfare coalition of NGOs; WAN is an affiliated partner and Eurogroup serves a comparable network-and-advocacy function at a regional level.
- Species Survival Network: International coalition focused on wildlife trade policy, especially at CITES; WAN has run the SSN office and shares a similar coalition-and-policy advocacy model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
World Animal Net social profiles
Digital presenceWorld Animal Net compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
World Animal Net financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
World Animal Net leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
World Animal Net funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
World Animal Net M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about World Animal Net
What does World Animal Net do?
World Animal Net is a nonprofit network organization that maintains the world's largest online directory of animal protection organizations (17,000+ listings in 130+ countries) and provides free advocacy training, model legislation, policy resources, and coalition-building guidance to the global animal protection movement. Its offerings include the Strategic Advocacy Course, Collaborations Program, Humane Education Program, International Policy Program, Model Animal Welfare Act, Constitutions Project, and the World Animal Navigator newsletter, all distributed digitally at no cost.
Is World Animal Net a public or private company?
World Animal Net is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently closed.
When was World Animal Net founded?
World Animal Net was founded in 1997. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is World Animal Net based?
World Animal Net is headquartered in Boston, United States, in the North America region.
How does World Animal Net make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Grants.
Who are World Animal Net's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Compassion in World Farming, Humane Society International, International Fund for Animal Welfare and Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA International). Direct peers are World Animal Protection, World Federation for Animals, International Coalition for Animal Welfare (ICFAW), FOUR PAWS International, Eurogroup for Animals and Species Survival Network.
Does World Animal Net have an API?
No public API is recorded for World Animal Net.
What industry is World Animal Net in?
World Animal Net's product category is Animal Welfare Advocacy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAEALAC, Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations, with a secondary code of HLAMAJAO, Animal Health Policy, Standards & International Coordination (e.g., WOAH/FAO). Its SIC code is 8600.