Humane Society of the United States

For the Lifesaving group, see Massachusetts Humane Society.

Humane Society of the United States
FoundedNovember 22, 1954; 69 years ago (1954-11-22) (as National Humane Society)
Founders
  • Fred Myers
  • Helen Jones
  • Larry Andrews
  • Marcia Glaser
  • Oliver M. Evans
53-0225390[1]
Legal status501(c)(3) nonprofit organization[2]
FocusAnimal protection, animal welfare, cruelty to animals, humane education, animal ethics, animal law, wildlife conservation
Location
Coordinates38°54′22″N 77°03′04″W / 38.906°N 77.051°W / 38.906; -77.051
MethodPublic education, science-based analysis, training and education, litigation, public policy, direct care
Kitty Block
Susan Atherton
Thomas J. Sabatino Jr.
Revenue (2014)
US$135,499,050[1]
Expenses (2014)$128,921,223[1]
Endowment$28,155,902[1]
Employees (2014)
528[1]
Volunteers (2014)
1,520[1]
Websitehumanesociety.org

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is an American nonprofit organization that focuses on animal welfare and opposes animal-related cruelties of national scope. It uses strategies that are beyond the abilities of local organizations.[3] It works on issues including pets, wildlife, farm animals, horses and other equines, and animals used in research, testing and education.[4] As of 2001, the group's major campaigns targeted factory farming, hunting, the fur trade, puppy mills, and wildlife abuse.[5]

The HSUS is based in Washington, D.C., and was founded in 1954 by journalist Fred Myers and Helen Jones, Larry Andrews, Marcia Glaser and Oliver M Evans. In 2013, the Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked HSUS as the 136th largest charity in the US in its Philanthropy 400 listing.[6][7] Its reported revenue was US$129 million and net assets US$215 million as of 2014.[1]

HSUS pursues its global work through an affiliate, Humane Society International, which listed staff 17 nations for 2013.[8] Other affiliated entities include the Doris Day Animal League, and the Fund for Animals. Together with the Fund for Animals, HSUS operates animal sanctuaries in five US states.[9]

HSUS does not run local shelters or oversee local animal care and control agencies, even if "humane society" is part of their name.[10]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax – The Humane Society of the United States". GuideStar. December 31, 2014.
  2. ^ "About Us: Overview". HumaneSociety.org. Washington, D.C.: Humane Society of the United States. Archived from the original on April 1, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  3. ^ Unti, Bernard (February 16, 2005). "Fred Myers: Co-founder of the HSUS". HumanSociety.org. Humane Society of the United States. Archived from the original on August 17, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2011. After The HSUS formed on November 22, 1954, Myers and the other co-founders—Larry Andrews, Marcia Glaser, and Helen Jones—moved quickly to fulfill their goal of engaging cruelties of a national scope.
  4. ^ Simon M. Shane. (January 14, 2014).Interview with Wayne Pacelle, president of HSUS. Egg-Cite.com.
  5. ^ "Campaigns". HumaneSociety.org. Humane Society of the United States. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  6. ^ "The Chronicle of Philanthropy – The news and tools you need to change the world". philanthropy.com. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  7. ^ October 16, 2011. Lists from the Philanthropy 400. The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
  8. ^ "Annual Report 2013". HumaneSociety.org. Humane Society of the United States. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  9. ^ "The Fund for Animals and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): A Partnership for Animals". FundForAnimals.org. Archived from the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  10. ^ "How does the HSUS help local animal shelters and rescue groups?". HumaneSociety.org. Humane Society of the United States. Retrieved March 18, 2023.