Our priority cause

Animal rescue: acting for those who cannot ask for help

Abandoned, mistreated, injured or driven from their habitat: every year, hundreds of thousands of animals need us. Animal rescue is Première Moisson's priority cause. Your donations fund concrete action: rescue, veterinary care, food, shelter and adoption.

Updated on · Première Moisson, non-profit association · Reading time: 6 min

Key points in 30 seconds

  • In France, between 281,000 and 398,000 dogs and cats were abandoned in 2025, according to the official OCAD observatory.
  • Monitored wildlife populations worldwide have fallen by 73% in 50 years (WWF, 2024).
  • We act on 4 fronts: abandoned animals, wildlife, cruelty and responsible adoption.
  • Your donation funds veterinary care, food, shelter and prevention.

The situation: a silent emergency

281,000 to 398,000dogs and cats abandoned in France in 2025Source: OCAD
−73%in wildlife populations since 1970Source: WWF 2024
1 millionspecies threatened with extinctionSource: IPBES

France remains one of the European countries where the most pets are abandoned. Shelters are overcrowded, especially in summer, and stray animals are exposed to accidents, disease and hunger. At the same time, wildlife is declining because of habitat destruction, pollution and climate change.

Our work to save animals

  1. Rescue animals in distress: taking in abandoned, stray or injured animals, together with shelters, foster families and vets.
  2. Care: consultations, vaccines, treatments, surgery, identification and neutering.
  3. Feed and shelter rescued animals until they are adopted: suitable food, litter, bedding, equipment.
  4. Rehome: support responsible adoptions and follow up animals after they leave.
  5. Prevent: support neutering campaigns for stray cats and raise awareness of animal welfare, especially among children.
  6. Protect wildlife: support wildlife rescue centres and habitat preservation.

Our 4 areas of action

Abandoned dogs and catsTake in, care for and rehomeLearn more WildlifeRescue and protect wild animalsLearn more Animal crueltyRecognise, report, protectLearn more Responsible adoptionAdopt with full knowledgeLearn more

What your donation can fund

€15about two weeks of food for a rescued cat
€50a consultation and a vaccine for a rescued animal
€80neutering a male stray cat
€150spaying and identifying a female stray cat
Indicative benchmarks: in France, veterinary fees are set freely and vary between clinics and regions. Associations often benefit from negotiated rates.

Where your money goes

ItemShare of budgetDetails
Veterinary care40%Consultations, vaccines, treatments, neutering
Food and shelter30%Food, litter, bedding, foster families
Rescue and transport15%Taking in animals in distress
Adoption and awareness10%Adoption follow-up, educational activities
Management costs5%Coordination, monitoring, evaluation

Frequently asked questions

How can I donate to help save animals?
Use the donation form on this page and choose the "Animal protection" cause. Payment is secure and you receive a donation receipt by email.
Can I choose to support only animals?
Yes: by choosing "Animal protection" in the form, your donation goes exclusively to our work for animals.
What should I do if I find an abandoned or injured animal?
For a dog or cat, contact the town hall (which runs the pound) or a vet to read its identification chip. For an injured wild animal, contact a wildlife rescue centre. More advice on our dedicated pages.

Official sources

Read also

Abandoned dogs and catsTake in, care for and rehomeRead WildlifeRescue and protect wild animalsRead Animal crueltyRecognise, report, protectRead Responsible adoptionAdopt with full knowledgeRead Oceans and natureCleaning up and preserving natural areasRead Protecting the planetClimate, biodiversity, sufficiencyRead