All you need to know about Born Free animal adoptions

Animal adoptions are an important part of what we do at Born Free, and adopting an animal makes a real difference to the lives of animals across the world, including individuals saved from captive cruelty, and those living in the wild. 

We currently have 13 animal adoptions available, and money raised can:

• Help cover the cost of specialist food, veterinary treatment, and lifetime care for an individual rescued animal (or ‘family’ of rescued animals) living at a Born Free or partner sanctuary when it’s not possible for them to return to the wild.
• Help protect a group of animals (or ‘family’) living in the wild, through a range of conservation initiatives such as community education projects to promote coexistence or paying for rangers to carry out patrols and remove dangerous snares that kill or injure wild animals.

All funds raised through animal adoptions will be used across the charity where it is needed most.

Here’s everything you need to know about adopting an animal with Born Free…

Adopt Gopal the tiger

WHICH ANIMALS ARE AVAILABLE TO ADOPT?

Adopt A Lion (Elsa’s Pride) to help us monitor and protect wild lions in Meru National Park.
Adopt A Lion (King) to help us provide support and care for lions who live at our Shamwari Private Game Reserve, including King.
Adopt An Elephant to help protect wild African elephants from habitat loss, conflict, trophy hunting and the ivory trade.
Adopt A Tiger to help support the lifetime care of Gopal and other rescued tigers, at our sanctuary in India, as well as protect tigers in the wild.
Adopt An Orangutan to help protect this critically endangered animal; conserve their habitats, and rescue individual animals for release back into the wild, where they rightfully belong.
Adopt A Rhino to help fund both our conservation and campaigning work to secure a better future for this critically endangered animal.
Adopt A Pangolin to help protect the world’s most illegally traded mammal. We rehabilitate rescued and orphaned pangolins, campaign against the illegal wildlife trade and protect their habitat.
Adopt A Gorilla to help protect Critically Endangered gorillas in Cameroon, as well as funding the care of our rescued Gorilla Family.
Adopt A Leopard to help care for the Leopard Family – all rescued from captivity by Born Free, and now enjoying new lives at our Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa.
Adopt A Giraffe to help monitor wild giraffe populations, protect their natural habitat, and introduce measures to reduce conflict between people and wildlife.
Adopt A Cheetah to help fund the lifetime care of the Cheetah Family at our Ensessa Kotteh sanctuary in Ethiopia.
Adopt An Orca to help support vital work in British Columbia, Canada, where monitoring the population of wild orca is aiding conservation efforts and public education.
Adopt A Brown Bear to help support the lifetime care of Kyriakos, as well as conservation of brown bears in the wild.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ADOPT AN ANIMAL WITH BORN FREE?

You can adopt an animal by setting up a monthly Direct Debit of as little as £3 a month, or you can adopt an animal with a one-off payment from £36 for the year – the total cost of adopting for a year is the same, whichever option you choose. These are the minimum amounts for an adoption – you can also pay more if you feel you would like to!

Choosing to pay by Direct Debit helps your money go further; it helps our long-term planning and keeps our administration costs down.

HOW DO I ADOPT AN ANIMAL WITH BORN FREE?

1. Choose the animal you would like to adopt
2. Select the amount you want to pay by Direct Debit each month: £3, £5, £10 or more, or if you prefer a one-off payment you can choose to donate any amount from £36
3. Fill out your adoption details including the name on the certificate
4. Complete your billing and delivery details
5. Enter your payment details. You can pay by card or PayPal

WILL I BE THE ONLY PERSON WHO ADOPTS THAT SPECIFIC ANIMAL?

No, Born Free adoptions are a co-sponsorship programme which means multiple people can adopt the same animal or species.

Adopt Timtom the orangutan

HOW WILL MY ADOPTION MONEY BE SPENT?

Every year, Born Free rescues and protects thousands of animals around the world. Whether this is funding anti-poaching patrols, key research initiatives, campaigning to end the illegal wildlife trade, or providing lifetime care for rescued animals, the money raised from our adoption programme funds key work and helps to provide a better future for wildlife. Money from your adoption* will be used to help fund the care and/or protection of the adopted animal/species, as well as to fund other key Born Free initiatives and projects. Funds from animal adoptions will be used across the charity where it is needed most.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN A BORN FREE ANIMAL ADOPTION?

When you adopt an endangered animal with Born Free, you will receive a special welcome pack. You can choose to receive this digitally via email or physically through the post.

The welcome pack includes a personalised adoption certificate, a photo and information about your adopted animal and species fact sheet, and if you choose to receive a physical pack through the post, you can also choose to include a soft toy animal. You will also receive two updates about your adopted animals over the course of a year – these will be either a physical magazine through the post or a PDF version of the magazine sent to you via email.

WHAT IS A DIGITAL ANIMAL ADOPTION?

Digital adoptions mean no packaging, minimal carbon footprint and maximum support for your adopted animal and Born Free’s work. Digital adoptions mean 33% more of the adoption fee will go directly towards helping animals, compared to choosing a physical adoption pack.

Supporters who choose a digital adoption will receive PDF versions of the fact sheets and photo, and a personalised certificate by email, which you can either keep for yourself, or fill out and forward on to your chosen recipient if you are buying the adoption as a gift.

HOW LONG DOES MY ANIMAL ADOPTION LAST?

Adoptions last for one year. After your initial gift pack, we will send you an update all about your adopted animal and the project in both spring and autumn.

If you choose to pay for your adoption via Direct Debit, your adoption will automatically renew after one year and you will need to cancel it if you do not wish to continue adopting the animal.

Adopt The Elephant Family

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR MY ADOPTION PACK TO ARRIVE?

We process and send orders within three working days and would normally expect it to arrive within seven working days to addresses within the UK. Please allow 28 working days for delivery on overseas orders. Please note – we cannot hold orders for delivery on a specific date. For overseas orders customs charges may be levied before delivery. We would advise checking to see if these may apply before placing your order.

Orders do not need to be signed for but come in a box which won’t fit through the letterbox. If you are not available to accept the delivery, it will be left in a safe place, or a card will be left to arrange redelivery.

HOW DO I RENEW MY ADOPTION?

If you have adopted an animal for one year with a one-off payment, and would like to renew for another year, please visit our adoption renewals page or contact our Supporter Care team on 01403 240170.

Please note, if you paid for your adoption by Direct Debit, your adoption will be automatically renewed unless you cancel it.

CAN I ADOPT AS A GIFT?

Yes. When you purchase an adoption as a gift, the adoption certificate can be personalised with the name of your choice. If you choose a physical adoption, delivery can be arranged to a separate address; if you choose a digital adoption the adoption pack will be sent to you, for you to pass on to the recipient.

Animal adoptions make great presents for hard to buy for friends and family – an adopt an animal gift is something truly special that will delight your loved one and improve the lives of animals around the world!

*For VAT purposes, of your total donation, £13.50 (inc. VAT) if you opt to receive a soft toy and £6.00 (inc. VAT) if you opt not to receive a soft toy, will be considered as payment for the benefits received.