Here you will find the answers our most frequently asked questions. If you still can’t find the answer you are looking for, then contact us directly and we will be happy to help.
How do WAWA choose the organisations they support?
The species, organisations, and the specific projects that we support are carefully chosen by WAWA’s board of trustees. We use strict guidelines to screen for endangered or critically endangered species that are in the top 500 of their classification on Zoological Society London’s list of EDGE species. They must also fit WAWA’s mission of supporting less iconic animals. Then we carefully vet non-profit, non-governmental organisations that work hands-on and in-situ with those species. WAWA look for ethical and reputable organisations that we can fully get behind and be proud to support, with projects that are science-led and have less than £100,000 spent on the relevant project in the previous year. Once screened, we assess projects to determine where the funds that we raise will have the greatest effect to help make the final decision.
How do I know what my donation is being spent on?
Once WAWA pick a program to support, they contact the organisation responsible and talk in detail about the program and its operation. For each program, we work together with the project leaders to produce a “menu” of key activities and how much they cost to carry out.
While all the money that is raised in any campaign will be given directly to these specific projects, the funds will usually go towards the operating costs of that program as a whole. For example, if a menu states that “£25 could help feed a rescued animal for 3 weeks”, and you kindly donate £25, your money will definitely go towards that program (along with everyone else’s donations) and the pot as a whole will be spent on running every aspect of that program. We appreciate that this can be a little off putting, especially if you really want to support a specific aspect of a program, but we want to be as transparent as possible about how your donations are spent.
Can I donate to support a specific species?
WAWA works to counter the inherent bias towards the most iconic and popular wildlife species. Even though all the species that we support fall into the “less iconic” category, there will still inevitably be some that are more charismatic than others. To make sure we are not part of the problem that we are trying to solve, we will always split all the funds that we raise evenly between the focal species of the campaign.
How is WAWA different to other wildlife charities?
As a team of biologists, scientists and conservation professionals, here at WAWA we know that a healthy planet is made from healthy ecosystems. Ecosystems need to be biodiverse enough to develop and change along with their environment. If we just focus on saving the animals that we all love and recognise, we risk leaving the less iconic, but just as important, species behind.
The loss of a single species can be catastrophic, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to be at first. So, it is core to WAWA’s values that we work to protect the species that need the most support, rather than just the ones that receive the most attention.
The major players in the world of wildlife conservation do an incredible job of supporting endangered species, but all too often the focus is on the charismatic megafauna of the world. WAWA work to contrast and compliment these organisations and hopefully together we can better protect biodiversity as a whole.
Is WAWA a registered charity in the UK/ What is WAWA’s charity number?
Yes, we are fully registered with the Charity Commission in the United Kingdom. Our Charity number is 1196186.
Does WAWA have a physical address or an office I can visit?
Our office address is 165 Ramsgate Road, Margate, Kent. However we are all volunteers and work from our own homes across the country. If you want to speak to a member of the team face-to-face then you can always get in touch and see if our team members in Bristol, Birmingham, or London are able to meet up for a chat.
How can I help save weird and wonderful animals from extinction?
The single biggest way you can support WAWA is by donating. Even a small donation, say the price of a cup of coffee, can go a long way to saving weird and wonderful animals from extinction.
If you have already donated, or if you would rather volunteer your time to help us grow and achieve our vision, then please get in touch and we may be able to work something out.
Also, don’t forget that by purchasing WAWA merchandise you will be directly helping to save species as all profits go straight back into our fundraising efforts.