Humane Society of the United States 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 |
| Susan Atherton | |
| 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 |
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is a group in America that works to protect animals. It is a nonprofit organization, which means it uses its money to help animals, not to make a profit. HSUS focuses on stopping cruelty to animals across the country.
They help many kinds of animals, including pets, wildlife, farm animals, and horses. They also work to protect animals used in research and testing. Some of their main goals are to fight factory farming, stop the fur trade, and end cruelty at puppy mills.
HSUS started in 1954 in Washington, D.C.. It was founded by Fred Myers, Helen Jones, Larry Andrews, Marcia Glaser, and Oliver M. Evans. In 2014, the group had a lot of money to help animals, with over $129 million in revenue.
HSUS also works globally through a group called Humane Society International. They have other related groups like the Doris Day Animal League. HSUS and its partners run animal sanctuaries in five states. It is important to know that HSUS does not run local animal shelters, even if those shelters have "humane society" in their name.
Contents
- What HSUS Does
- Why HSUS Was Formed
- HSUS History and Major Actions
- Recent Work and Achievements
- Leadership and Campaigns
- Legal Action for Animals
- Canadian Seal Hunt Campaign
- Growth and Partnerships
- Working with Companies
- Faith-Based Outreach
- Science and Policy Institute
- Hurricane Katrina Animal Rescue
- "Faux" Fur Investigation
- Westland Meat Packing Company Investigation
- Petland Puppy Mills Campaign
- Working with Egg Producers
- HSUS Positions and Programs
- How HSUS is Run
- Grants and Support
- Related Groups
- Headquarters and Offices
- Criticisms of HSUS
- Animal Charity Evaluators Review
- See also
What HSUS Does
HSUS was created because some people felt a new group was needed to help animals on a national level. They wanted to deal with big problems that local groups couldn't handle alone. The main idea behind HSUS, set in 1956, is to "oppose and prevent all use or exploitation of animals that causes pain, suffering, or fear."
Why HSUS Was Formed
The idea of being kind to animals became more popular in the United States after the American Civil War. People started to care more about animals in pain and enjoyed having them as pets. They also realized that being cruel to animals could be linked to violence against people.
A big influence on HSUS's founders was Albert Schweitzer, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952. He believed in "reverence for life," meaning we should respect all living things. He said that kindness should include "every living being," not just humans.
Another important person was Joseph Wood Krutch, a writer who loved nature and animals. His ideas helped shape HSUS's values. The growing environmental movement in the 1970s also made people more aware of how humans affect animals and their homes.
Later, a book called Animal Liberation by Peter Singer (1975) made people think about animal welfare as a justice issue, like civil rights or women's rights. Singer's ideas about reducing animal suffering matched HSUS's goals.
In the 1980s, many new animal protection groups started. Some of these groups had more extreme ideas about animal rights, believing animals should not be used by humans at all. HSUS, which started by challenging old ways, sometimes found itself seen as the more "traditional" group.
HSUS History and Major Actions
In 1954, HSUS founders wanted to create a group that could tackle animal cruelty issues across the nation. One of their first big goals was to make sure animals were treated kindly during slaughter.
Humane Slaughter Laws
In 1958, the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act was passed. This law made sure that slaughterhouses had to use humane methods. This was a big success for HSUS, showing that many groups could work together for animal welfare.
Stopping Animal Testing Cruelty
HSUS also focused early on how animals were used in research and testing. They opposed getting animals from shelters for experiments. HSUS believed that animal testing should be stopped. In the 1950s, they sent investigators into labs to find evidence of poor conditions and animal suffering.
Later, HSUS worked with scientists to find common ground and reduce tensions between animal protection groups and the scientific community.
Helping Pets and Shelters
Helping local animal shelters was an early goal for HSUS. They focused on problems like too many animals needing homes. In the past, HSUS ran some animal shelters. Today, they do not run local shelters, but they do operate five animal sanctuaries across the country.
In 1984, a government report confirmed HSUS's concerns about problems at puppy mills. This led to new laws to regulate these places.
Exposing Cruelty in the Dog Trade
In 1961, an HSUS investigator looked into dog dealers across the country. This led to a big story in Life magazine in 1966, showing a raid on a cruel dog dealer. This made many Americans demand action. That summer, the U.S. Congress passed the Animal Welfare Act of 1966, a major law to protect animals.
Expanding Goals and Education
HSUS also worked to reduce the number of homeless dogs and cats. They aimed to regulate pet shops and stop commercial pet breeding.
Since the 1960s, HSUS has promoted humane education for children in schools. They wanted to teach kids about being kind to animals.
Animal Rights Discussions
While HSUS welcomed more interest in animals, they didn't always use the term "animal rights." They believed animals deserved "humane treatment and equal consideration." However, they did start to discuss animal rights more. In 1978, they passed a resolution saying animals have the "right to live and grow under comfortable and reasonably natural conditions."
Recent Work and Achievements
Leadership and Campaigns
In 2004, Wayne Pacelle became the CEO and president of HSUS. He worked to expand the group's influence on public policies for animals. Under his leadership, HSUS worked on many campaigns, including:
- Stopping cruel hunting practices.
- Fighting cruelty in industrial agriculture.
- Ending greyhound racing.
- Stopping cruelty at puppy mills.
- Banning animal trapping.
HSUS has had successes like getting many universities and companies to buy "cage-free" eggs. They also helped pass laws to stop horse slaughter and animal fighting. In 2019, Kitty Block became the new President and CEO of HSUS.
Legal Action for Animals
In 2005, HSUS started a special legal team to protect animals. This team works with many lawyers to take on cases that will help animals. They focus on cases that can make a real difference and are likely to win. In their first ten years, they won many cases, helping to change laws and policies for animals.
Canadian Seal Hunt Campaign
In 2005, HSUS started a campaign to end the hunting of seals in Canada. They encouraged restaurants and companies to stop buying Canadian seafood. By 2014, thousands of businesses had joined their "Protect Seals" campaign. In 2013, the World Trade Organization supported a ban on seal products in Europe, which was a big win for the campaign.
Growth and Partnerships
HSUS grew by joining with other animal welfare groups, like The Fund for Animals and the Doris Day Animal League. This helped them create new departments for horses, legal issues, and direct animal care. They also formed the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association to help animals with medical care.
Working with Companies
HSUS has worked with big companies to encourage them to improve how animals are treated in their supply chains. For example, many food suppliers have changed their practices in the pork industry because of HSUS's efforts.
Faith-Based Outreach
In 2007, HSUS started a program to connect with religious communities. They provide speakers and materials to help faith leaders discuss animal issues. They work with groups like Farm Forward to promote kind food choices and reduce animal suffering.
Science and Policy Institute
The Humane Society Institute for Science and Policy (HSISP), started in 2010, uses science to help with animal welfare issues. They have experts who study animal welfare and help create policies. They also manage a collection of academic resources about animal studies.
Hurricane Katrina Animal Rescue
In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina, thousands of animals were left behind. HSUS joined a huge rescue effort that saved about ten thousand animals. They also raised over $34 million to help the Gulf Coast region recover. HSUS led the campaign for the PETS Act in 2006, which requires agencies to include animals in disaster plans.
HSUS also worked to ban cockfighting in Louisiana, which was the last state to do so.
"Faux" Fur Investigation
In 2006, HSUS found that some coats labeled "faux" (fake) fur were actually made with real fur from raccoon dogs in China. This investigation led stores like Macy's to remove these items. New laws were proposed to require proper labeling of all fur.
Westland Meat Packing Company Investigation
In 2008, an HSUS investigation at the Westland Meat Packing Company found animal abuse. This led to a huge recall of beef. HSUS had long pushed to remove "downer" animals (animals too sick or injured to stand) from the food supply, and this investigation helped make that a policy.
Petland Puppy Mills Campaign
In 2008, HSUS started a campaign against the pet store chain Petland, saying they relied on puppy mills where animals were raised in bad conditions. Petland denied these claims and said HSUS was using misleading videos. HSUS also filed a lawsuit against Petland, but it was dismissed. HSUS believes that while pet ownership is good, the desire for profit in commercial pet stores can hurt animals.
Working with Egg Producers
For several years, HSUS worked with the United Egg Producers to pass a federal law to phase out small, crowded cages for hens that lay eggs. They wanted to move towards "cage-free" housing systems. This proposal did not pass in Congress.
HSUS Positions and Programs
Fighting Animal Cruelty
HSUS has strongly supported laws against animal fighting. They also called for the suspension of football player Michael Vick when he was involved in dog fighting.
Animals in Research and Testing
HSUS has worked to reduce the use of animals in research. They helped stop the use of Class B dealers, who supply animals for research. In 2013, HSUS helped convince the U.S. government to move chimpanzees used in research to sanctuaries and to stop using them in testing.
Animals Used for Food
HSUS opposes cruelty in raising and slaughtering animals for food. They encourage people to reduce how much meat they eat.
Campaigns for Farm Animals
HSUS led campaigns to pass laws like California Proposition 2 (2008), which requires cage-free conditions for hens, pigs, and veal calves. They also helped pass similar laws in other states like Washington, Oregon, Michigan, and Colorado.
HSUS has convinced many large grocery stores and restaurants to improve how they treat farm animals. They also work with food companies to offer more plant-based meals.
Companion Animals
HSUS has a department dedicated to pets and services for companion animals. They work to end dog fighting and provide rescue services for animals in need. Their "Pets for Life" program helps pet owners in communities where vet care is hard to find. HSUS also supports programs that allow pets in the workplace.
They publish Animal Sheltering magazine for animal shelter workers and run the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, which offers free vet services in poor communities. HSUS also helped convince antifreeze makers to add a bitter agent to their products so animals won't drink them and get poisoned.
HSUS believes that wild animals are generally not suitable as pets and opposes the trade of wild animals.
Puppy Mills
HSUS actively fights the puppy mill industry. They have helped law enforcement rescue over 35,000 animals from puppy mills since 2007. They also push for anti-puppy mill laws in many states. HSUS supported a rule to stop the import of unhealthy dogs from other countries for resale.
Wildlife Protection
HSUS opposes hunting animals for fun, trophies, or sport. They only support killing animals for population control when done by officials. They campaign against cruel hunting practices like shooting bears over bait.
With Humane Society International, HSUS has worked for a decade to end the Canadian seal hunt. They have also campaigned to protect wolves since the 1970s.
In 2007, HSUS launched Humane Wildlife Services to help people humanely remove wild animals from their homes. They also work to stop shark finning and help with issues related to feral cats.
Zoos and Other Issues
HSUS has a policy on zoos: they are not completely against them, but they work against bad zoos and roadside animal shows. They believe animals should not be taken from the wild for display in zoos.
HSUS opposes greyhound racing and animal fighting. They also work to limit the abuse of animals in circuses and aquariums. They have concerns about practices in the horse racing industry, like the use of certain medications.
HSUS has long opposed keeping marine mammals in captivity, like orcas at SeaWorld. They also opposed importing beluga whales from Russia for aquariums.
HSUS is against using horses for food and has campaigned to stop horse slaughter in the U.S. They also oppose the private ownership of many exotic pets, believing they are not suitable as pets and can be a threat to public safety or the animals' own welfare.
How HSUS is Run
HSUS is a nonprofit charity. It gets most of its money from donations, memberships, and grants. It is run by a board of 27 volunteer directors who are not paid.
HSUS meets high standards for charities, including those set by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. In 2010, Worth magazine called HSUS one of the 10 Most Fiscally Responsible Charities.
Grants and Support
In 2011, HSUS gave $6.5 million in grants to 260 other organizations in the U.S. and other countries. They give grants to groups that help with their mission and that they have researched or worked with before.
Related Groups
Humane Society International
Founded in 1991, Humane Society International (HSI) helps HSUS expand its work around the world, including in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia.
Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association
The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA) was formed in 2008. It focuses on veterinary advocacy and clinical services for animals.
Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust
Since 1993, the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust (HSWLT) has helped protect over 3.6 million acres of wildlife habitat in many states and countries. They create safe places for animals through land donations and agreements.
Doris Day Animal League
The Doris Day Animal League, started in 1987 by actress Doris Day, works to promote spaying and neutering pets. They also push for laws to prevent inhumane treatment of animals.
The Fund for Animals
The Fund for Animals, founded by Cleveland Amory in 1967, now manages animal care facilities as part of HSUS. These include animal sanctuaries like the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch.
Humane Society Legislative Fund
The Humane Society Legislative Fund was formed in 2004. This group supports laws that protect animals at state and federal levels. They also educate the public and support political candidates who care about animal welfare.
Headquarters and Offices
The main office for the Humane Society is in Washington, D.C.. In 2014, they had 528 employees. Their international group, Humane Society International, has offices in several countries.
Criticisms of HSUS
Like many large organizations, HSUS has faced criticism from different groups.
Center for Consumer Freedom
The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) has criticized HSUS for many years. CCF works for the food and beverage industry. Some people question if CCF is truly a nonprofit group, and its founder does not reveal who funds it. CCF has run ads saying HSUS misrepresents itself, but HSUS calls these claims "falsehoods and distortions."
Humane Watch
The Humane Watch website was created by the Center for Consumer Freedom. This website criticizes HSUS, especially for not giving more money directly to local animal shelters.
Nathan Winograd
Nathan Winograd, who supports "No-kill" animal shelters, has criticized HSUS. He has said that HSUS sometimes hinders laws meant to stop animal abuse. However, other people have disagreed with his general claims about HSUS.
Protect the Harvest
Protect the Harvest is a group founded by Forrest Lucas of Lucas Oil. This group defends industrial animal agriculture and commercial dog breeders. They have criticized HSUS and campaigned against politicians who support HSUS's goals.
The United States Association of Reptile Keepers
The United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) represents people who keep and breed reptiles. USARK has argued against HSUS's efforts to ban the import and transport of certain snake species. USARK claims HSUS tells its supporters to lie to the government, which HSUS denies. HSUS believes large constricting snakes are not suitable as pets and can be dangerous or harm native wildlife. HSUS is also against keeping other reptiles like turtles and iguanas as pets.
Animal Charity Evaluators Review
Animal Charity Evaluators (ACE) is a group that reviews animal charities. From 2014 to 2018, ACE recommended HSUS's Farm Animal Protection Campaign as a "Standout Charity." This means they thought it was very strong compared to other animal charities.
ACE praised HSUS's large reach, smart approach, and long history of legal work and corporate outreach. However, in 2018, ACE stopped recommending the campaign. This was because of concerns about leadership and the work environment within HSUS. ACE believes that strong, ethical leadership is very important for a charity to be effective.
See also
- American Humane (AH)
- Animal Liberation Front (ALF)
- Animal liberation movement
- Animal Welfare Institute (AWI)
- Eco-terrorism
- List of animal rights advocates
- List of animal rights groups
- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
