Animal charities employ a wide range of interventions in order to help animals. Despite the many unknowns and the comparative lack of research in this emerging field, ACE seeks to make informed judgments about the effectiveness of these interventions to the best of our ability. This means periodically updating our approach in light of new information or ideas.

This new process involves a more systematic literature search, in which we work to locate the most relevant research from animal advocacy literature and the relevant social sciences. Additionally, we now make use of case studies.

Although we have developed a standardized process for evaluating interventions, this process is intended as a flexible guide rather than a strict procedure. This is because there is a wide range of potentially applicable interventions, and the same exact evaluative approach may not be appropriate for every one of them. The overarching intent, however, is to bring together a range of different evidence sources before making evaluative judgments. Our rationale is that even when none of the evidence sources alone provide adequate answers, considering them in conjunction with one another can provide a clearer picture of the effects of an intervention.

Read the full article on evaluating animal-related philanthropic interventions at Animal Charity Evaluators