Faunalytics’ 2025 Mid-Year Report
This year marked a special celebration for us: 25 years of empowering animal advocates with access to research, analysis, and evidence-based messaging. As we entered this milestone year, we had big plans, and with the help of our dedicated team, volunteers, collaborators, and supporters, we’ve continued to help our movement maximize its effectiveness in reducing animal suffering.
So far this year, we’ve published seven new original studies, more than doubling the number we published at this time last year. We explored political communications, assessing impact, strengthening movement capacity, and international advocacy. We continued our partnership with The Good Growth Co. and collaborated with BW Research and JG Research. We added 125 study summaries (20 with added data visualizations) to our growing Research Library, including an update to our well-known Global Slaughter Statistics & Charts. We’ve provided one-on-one guidance to 70 advocates and organizations this year through our pro bono Office Hours, and completed 14 presentations via our ambassador program and at conferences worldwide. At every turn, we’re guided by our belief that by staying true to the data, supporting one another, and remaining open to learning, we can create a better world for animals.
The foundation of effective advocacy is data, and we strive to get it into the hands of those who need it most. Read on to learn more about how we’ve done just that, and what’s in store for the rest of the year.
2025... So Far!
January
Exploring The Impacts Of Food System Education: A Case Study
- New Faunalyst: Welcome to our new Research Director — In January, we welcomed Dr. Allison Troy as our newest Faunalyst! Allison received her PhD in Social Psychology from the University of Denver, where she conducted research on emotion regulation and resilience to stress. More recently, Allison has used her research background and her passion for understanding human emotions to inform advocacy efforts across the U.S. by conducting research that identifies effective strategies for advocates working for global justice. In her role at Faunalytics, Allison is thrilled to be able to bring her love of research, writing, and community organizing to support the incredible animal advocacy efforts taking place across the globe.
- New Report: Leadership Turnover In The Animal Advocacy Movement — This report investigates why former executive directors of animal advocacy organizations chose to leave their positions, and what boards can do to retain their leaders. We identified key factors contributing to burnout and succession planning challenges, and provided actionable recommendations for improving leadership stability within the movement.
February
Exploring Gen Z’s Attitudes Towards Animals And The Environment
- Guest Blog: Bridging Cultures For Animal Welfare: Effective Advocacy In Japan — Maho Uehara-Cavalier of Japan Animal Welfare Corporate Partners (AWCP) provides crucial cultural context for effective animal advocacy in Japan. This insightful piece examines the distinct challenges and opportunities for animal advocacy in Japanese society, offering practical guidance for international organizations seeking to make a meaningful impact in the country.
- Guest Blog: Bridging The Gap: How The Inotiv Beagles Helped Bring Animal Experiments Into Focus — Animal advocates know that companion animals get a lot of attention and love in broader culture. In this blog, Faunalytics’ intern Tracy Moore explored the story of the Inotiv beagles as a case study in leveraging the love of companion animals to bring light to important advocacy issues.
March
The Economic Impacts Of A Plant-Based Transition: Exploring Two Growth Scenarios
- 25 Years of Faunalytics: Part 1 and Part 2 — In honor of Faunalytics’ 25th anniversary, Founder and Board member Che Green graced our blog with two special entries: a look back at the history of the organization and its place within Effective Animal Advocacy (Part 1) and a reflection on lessons learned from the past 25 years of working to make the movement more data-driven (Part 2).
April
Effective Communication With Political Staffers:
A Framework For Animal Advocates
- Updated Resource: Global Animal Slaughter Statistics & Charts — Our annual update to this crucial resource now includes data from 2024, showing concerning trends in global farmed animal slaughter rates. The comprehensive visualization tool allows advocates to track changes over time and identify priority areas for intervention based on species and regions experiencing the highest slaughter volumes. Bonus! Check out this year’s companion blog: Why Don’t More Animal Advocates Talk About Ducks?
- Guest Blog: Why Are Fireworks Harmful To Wild Animals And What Can Replace Them? — Despite the pleasure that fireworks bring to some people, a growing number of studies show that they can be incredibly disruptive and have very harmful welfare effects on wild animals. This guest blog (also available in French) explores the data and makes a case for alternatives.
May
Big Ag, Big Bucks: How USDA Subsidies Feed Market Inequality And Political Influence
- New Study: How To Message Plant-Based Diets And Products In Southeast Asia: A Social Media Analysis — In partnership with The Good Growth Co., research in Southeast Asian markets revealed region-specific messaging frameworks that resonate with consumers considering plant-based options. The study tested 18 different message frames across six countries, finding that health and innovation messaging outperformed environmental and ethical appeals in most contexts.
June
Cross-Movement Collaboration For Farmed Animal Advocates In Southeast Asia
- New Resource: Tactics In Practice: The Science Of Protests And Demonstrations — This edition of our TIPs looks at protest effectiveness. It synthesizes findings from over 30 studies to provide evidence-based guidance on protest tactics, offering concrete recommendations for maximizing media coverage, public support, and policy outcomes through strategic demonstration planning.
- New Resource: Tactics In Practice: The Science Of Vegan Challenges — This evaluation of vegan challenge programs across 12 countries assessed their effectiveness in creating lasting dietary change. Our findings indicate that structured programs with ongoing support yield 43% higher retention rates compared to self-guided challenges, providing specific recommendations for organizations implementing these initiatives.
- Planning Ahead: 2026 Research Prioritization Started — We conduct research that’s likely to have the highest impact on animals. Each year, we identify our research projects through a four-stage prioritization process, which includes gathering input from our community of nearly 700,000 advocates to find knowledge gaps. We’re underway in our 2026 research prioritization. Have a suggestion? Connect with our Research Director, Allison, for more information.
Coming Soon
- Upcoming Original Research Studies — We’ll be publishing studies on balancing inclusivity in the movement, a meta-analysis of chicken and fish substitutions, voter response to a pro-animal/anti-subsidy candidate, public perceptions of standard U.S. farming practices, how international organizations influence farming in lower-middle-income countries, and contextual advocacy for food systems in the Global South.
- Fauna Connections — We’ll be hosting our fourth annual virtual research symposium on September 18th! Our keynote speaker, Dr. Faraz Harsini, will kick off this year’s agenda, followed by researchers who will present their latest findings, offering practical key takeaways that advocates can put into action. Each session will have a Q&A period, allowing participants to engage with researchers and dive deeper.
- Investigations Database — We’re scoping and creating a prototype for a new tool that aggregates information about animal investigations, treating them as data. The resulting database will be searchable and sortable, so advocates can (for example) find all investigations against specific suppliers in a particular country, get statistics from all investigations involving pig farms, or see the history of investigations by year.
- Animal Product Impact Scales Update — We’ll be updating our spreadsheets for the Animal Product Impact Scales to make them clearer and easier to use. The revamped spreadsheets will feature step-by-step calculations for each animal, making it easier to locate the data you need.
- Aquaculture Fundamentals & Fundamentals Updates — Later this summer/early fall, we’ll be publishing a new Faunalytics Fundamental, focusing on aquaculture and its effects on the environment and animal welfare. We’ll also be updating our Farmed Animal Fundamentals with new data!
Our Impact
We’re thrilled to report that advocates continue to love the work that Faunalytics does. Our most recent annual Community Survey, a key tool for assessing our impact, reveals that the movement continues to find our research and resources trustworthy and of high quality. Nearly 500 advocates completed the survey, and we’re thrilled to share the following highlights:
- 83% thought our work is either extremely or very valuable to improving animal advocacy
- 97% said that they would probably or definitely recommend Faunalytics to others
- 77% agreed that Faunalytics’ work has helped guide their advocacy decisions
- 79% said that Faunalytics’ work has improved their own or their organization’s advocacy efforts
- 70% reported that our work has helped reduce animal suffering and save animal lives — the highest this number has ever been!
These results are more than numbers — they’re a reflection of our shared values in action. From cultivating curiosity through innovative research, to nurturing compassion by centering animals and equity in our work, to collaborating with advocates around the world, we are proud to play a role in a movement that’s greater than the sum of its parts. Our unique position within the advocacy community enables the widespread adoption of research findings, thereby increasing opportunities for impact. We’ve been recognized for this high impact on animals, as demonstrated by our Recommended Charity status, which has been continuously granted by ACE since 2015, and our Platinum Seal of Approval from Guidestar.
Support Animal Advocacy Research
Thanks to supporters like you, Faunalytics’ research and resources are available without a paywall. For over 25 years, we’ve been helping animal advocates and organizations with the best strategies to inspire change for animals. Our efforts are part of a broader endeavor to support and strengthen our movement worldwide as we work toward a day when animals and our planet are truly protected. We hope you’ll join the over 1,600 donors who’ve supported Faunalytics and make a donation today.
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