Humane Intervention^™

American Humane Association works in association with American first responders, emergency managers, civic leaders, animal protection advocates, healthcare providers and families to prepare for and cope with disasters and crises. Our Red StarTM Animal Emergency Services rescue responders have been on the scenes and dealing with the aftermath of many of the United States’ natural and man-made disasters for decades. The Red StarTM Animal Assisted Therapy team works with children, families, and military personnel across the country to help them heal during difficult times.

Our Impact

• We respond to crises to protect animals, assist people, and make communities whole again.
• We mitigate the impact of crises by helping families and communities prepare for the worst.
• We enrich lives and reduce pain and ease the suffering of children, veterans, the elderly and the infirm through Animal-Assisted Therapy.

Our Programs

Red Star™ Rescue

In August of 1916, American Humane Association accepted an invitation from the War Department to help animals used by the U.S. Army during WWI. With the acceptance of that invitation, the American Red StarTM Animal Relief Program was born.

Sixty years later, American Humane Association signed a Letter of Understanding with the American Red Cross establishing American Humane Association as the primary contact in the U.S. for animal-related disaster relief.

Today when the need arises as the result of natural disasters or manmade emergencies, American Humane Association serves as the coordinating agency to local shelters for animal supplies and resources.  The team consists of a national network of professionally trained staff and volunteers.

An 82-foot mobile command center – fully equipped for both animal rescue and veterinary services – is the centerpiece of a fleet of boats and vehicles ready to deploy anywhere in the country on a moment’s notice.

Red Star™ Animal-Assisted Therapy

One of American Humane Association’s most prominent programs is Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), which uses the therapeutic powers of trained animals to help those in need, including children suffering with cancer, military personnel and families, and abuse victims. American Humane Association is a national leader in advancing the safe, humane and effective practice of this modality nationwide to benefit our nation’s most vulnerable. American Humane Association staff includes internationally recognized experts in AAT and a key area of focus is the development of research and scientific outcomes to demonstrate the positive impact that animals can have on human health.

Red Star™ Training

American Humane Association takes a great deal of pride in our training courses. It is our commitment to provide the highest quality education in the nation in the area of animal disaster response, euthanasia by injection and managing compassion stress.  One of the important ways American Humane helps protect animals is by educating and training people how to provide the best animal care possible. Throughout the year, we travel across the country training animal welfare professionals and people who love animals wanting to make a difference in their well-being.

Second Chance® Fund and Meacham Foundation Memorial Grants

Millions of animals are abused and neglected each year and many of them end up in animal shelters. While caring for these animals, local shelters are forced to cover the medical costs to treat them. As a result, the organizations can accrue extremely high – and sometimes overwhelming – medical bills. If the shelter cannot afford the cost, the suffering animal may be euthanized.