Humane World for Animals facts for kids
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| Founded | November 22, 1954 (as National Humane Society) |
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| Founders |
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| Legal status | 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization |
| Focus | Animal protection, animal welfare, cruelty to animals, humane education, animal ethics, animal law, wildlife conservation |
| Location |
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| Method | Public education, science-based analysis, training and education, litigation, public policy, direct care |
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President and chief executive officer
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Kitty Block |
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Board co-chair
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Susan Atherton |
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Board co-chair
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Thomas J. Sabatino Jr. |
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Revenue (2014)
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US$135,499,050 |
| Expenses (2014) | $128,921,223 |
| Endowment | $28,155,902 |
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Employees (2014)
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528 |
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Volunteers (2014)
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1,520 |
Humane World for Animals is a global nonprofit organization that works to protect animals. This means it's a group that doesn't work to make money, but to help a cause. Its main goal is to promote animal welfare and stop cruelty to animals all over the world.
The group tackles big problems that local animal shelters might not have the resources to handle. It focuses on many kinds of animals, including pets, wildlife, farm animals, and horses. It also works to protect animals used in scientific research and testing. Some of its biggest campaigns have been against factory farming, the fur trade, and puppy mills.
Humane World for Animals is based in Washington, D.C., but it has offices on six continents. It was founded in 1954 by a group of people who wanted to create a strong national voice for animals. The organization also runs several animal sanctuaries, which are safe places for animals to live, like Black Beauty Ranch in Texas.
Contents
How It All Started
Humane World for Animals (HWA) was formed in 1954. Its founders, including Fred Myers and Helen Jones, felt that a new kind of organization was needed. They wanted a group based in Washington, D.C., that could influence national laws to protect animals.
Their main principle was simple: HWA "opposes and seeks to prevent all use or exploitation of animals that causes pain, suffering, or fear." This idea has guided the organization ever since.
Ideas That Shaped the Group
The idea of being kind to animals became popular in the United States after the Civil War. People began to understand that being cruel to animals was linked to being cruel to people.
A major influence was Albert Schweitzer, a philosopher who won the Nobel Peace Prize. He believed in "reverence for life," which means having deep respect for every living thing, not just humans. This idea inspired many animal advocates.
Another key thinker was Joseph Wood Krutch, who wrote about his love for nature and animals. His work helped shape the group's values. By the 1970s, more people were becoming concerned about the environment and how humans treated animals.
The Idea of Animal Rights
In 1975, a book called Animal Liberation by Peter Singer became very popular. It argued that animals deserve fair treatment, just like people. The book focused on preventing animal suffering.
This idea was similar to what HWA believed. The group's goal has always been to reduce and end animal suffering. In the 1980s, the idea of "animal rights" grew. Some groups believed that animals should never be used by humans for any reason. HWA found itself as a major, established organization in a growing movement.
History of Helping Animals
From the very beginning, HWA focused on big issues. One of its first major goals was to make slaughterhouses more humane.
Making Slaughterhouses Kinder
In 1958, HWA helped pass the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. This law required slaughterhouses to use methods that were less painful for animals. It was a huge victory and showed that animal groups could work together to create national change.
Protecting Animals in Labs
HWA also worked to protect animals used in research and testing. The group sent investigators into labs to document poor conditions and animal suffering. While HWA was not completely against all animal testing, it fought to make sure animals were treated with care and respect.
Helping Pets and Shelters
HWA has always worked to help local animal shelters. It focused on the problem of too many homeless pets and promoted humane ways to end an animal's suffering if it couldn't be saved. For a time, HWA even ran its own model animal shelters.
In the 1960s, HWA investigated the cruel dog trade. An investigator went undercover to expose how badly dogs were treated when being sold to labs. A story in Life magazine showed these terrible conditions, and the public was outraged. This led to the Animal Welfare Act of 1966, a major law to protect animals.
Recent Work and Campaigns
In 2004, Wayne Pacelle became the president of HWA. Under his leadership, the organization grew and launched many successful campaigns. After he resigned in 2018, Kitty Block took over as the current president and CEO.
Fighting for Animal Protection in Court
In 2005, HWA started a special legal team to fight for animals in court. This team of lawyers works to win cases that will have a real, positive impact on animals. They have won many cases, helping to strengthen laws that protect animals.
Ending the Canadian Seal Hunt
HWA launched a campaign to end the hunting of seals in Canada. The group convinced thousands of restaurants and grocery stores to boycott Canadian seafood until the hunt stopped. This put a lot of pressure on the Canadian government.
Working with Big Companies
HWA works with large corporations to convince them to make more humane choices. For example, it has persuaded many food companies to stop buying pork from farms that keep pigs in tiny crates. It has also encouraged companies to use "cage-free" eggs.
Hurricane Katrina Rescue
When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, thousands of pets were left behind. HWA rescue teams went to the Gulf Coast and saved about 10,000 animals. The group also raised over $34 million to help with rescue and recovery. This disaster led to the PETS Act, a federal law that requires emergency plans to include pets.
Exposing Fake Fur
In 2006, HWA discovered that some coats labeled as "faux fur" (fake fur) were actually made from the real fur of raccoon dogs. The investigation led many stores to stop selling the coats and pushed for better labeling laws.
What HWA Believes and Fights For
Animal Fighting
HWA is strongly against all forms of animal fighting, like dog fighting and cockfighting. The group was a key voice in the case against NFL player Michael Vick, who was involved in a dog fighting ring. HWA has helped pass stronger federal laws to punish people involved in animal fighting.
Animals in Research
HWA works to reduce and replace the use of animals in scientific testing. The group helped convince the U.S. government to stop using chimpanzees in research and move them to sanctuaries. It also works with companies to find alternatives to animal testing.
Farm Animals
HWA opposes cruelty to farm animals. It encourages people to reduce their meat consumption and supports more humane farming methods. The group led successful campaigns in states like California and Massachusetts to ban small, crowded cages for chickens, pigs, and calves.
Pets and Companion Animals
HWA has many programs to help pets. Its "Pets for Life" program provides free or low-cost veterinary care in communities that need it. The group also fights against puppy mills, which are large-scale breeding operations where dogs are often kept in terrible conditions. HWA has helped rescue thousands of dogs from these mills.
Wildlife Protection
HWA opposes hunting for sport or trophies. It supports hunting only when it is necessary for food. The organization has campaigned to protect wolves, end the Canadian seal hunt, and ban shark finning, which is the cruel practice of cutting off a shark's fins.
Related Groups
HWA works with several other organizations to achieve its goals.
- Humane Society International (HSI) is the global branch of HWA, working to protect animals all over the world.
- The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA) is a group for veterinarians who want to promote animal welfare.
- The Humane Society Legislative Fund works to pass laws that protect animals and supports political candidates who are humane.
See also
In Spanish: Humane Society of the United States para niños
- American Humane (AH)
- Animal Welfare Institute (AWI)
