American Humane Society rescues, cares for and protects more than 1.7 billion animals every year — 4.66 million per day, 3,234 every minute.
Our programs span emergency animal rescue, independent farm and zoo certification, animal safety on film sets, service dog training for veterans and wildlife conservation across six continents. This work is grounded in rigorous science-based standards and delivered with care and compassion. Founded in 1877, we are the country’s first national humane organization.
American Humane Society holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, accreditation from the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (GuideStar). In fiscal year 2025, 87% of all spending went directly to program services.
Here’s what that work looked like in 2025.
2025 Impact by the Numbers
1.7 billion+
Animals rescued, cared for and protected annually
100,000
Animal actors protected across 1,000+ productions in 30 countries through No Animals Were Harmed®
How American Humane Society programs rescued, cared for and protected animals worldwide in 2025
In 2025, our work reached animals across disaster zones, farms, film sets, zoos and aquariums, alongside veterans, first responders and the animals who serve beside them, and across conservation landscapes worldwide.
American Humane Society Rescue
When disaster strikes, American Humane Society’s Rescue Team deploys trained responders and mobile veterinary units on the ground to deliver hands-on care to animals in crisis—conducting search and rescue, providing emergency sheltering and delivering critical veterinary treatment. The program’s Basic Animal Emergency Services course is included in FEMA’s catalog of approved emergency preparedness training. Together, this work strengthens animal response efforts before, during and after disasters.
In 2025, our rescue work achieved the following:
- The team responded to the L.A. wildfires and reunited 1,060+ pets with families. We conducted 1,660+ welfare checks for animals in shelters and provided 63,300+ pet meals.
- American Humane Society delivered critical veterinary care in a major Texas animal neglect case involving more than 100 horses and donkeys.
- Our multi-year partnership with the American Red Cross now integrates animal care into disaster sheltering and preparedness nationwide.
Second Chance® Grant Program
When local shelters face overwhelming medical costs for animals that are victims of cruelty or neglect, Second Chance Grants fund the veterinary care that makes survival possible.
In 2025, grants supported life-saving treatment for animals like Nellie, a puppy found with a bullet wound, and Louis, a dog rescued from dog fighting.
Learn more about the Second Chance Grant Program
Pups4Patriots™
Pups4Patriots provides service dogs at no cost to U.S. military veterans and retired first responders living with post-traumatic stress (PTS) or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Research shows that specially trained service dogs can reduce anxiety, ease depression and help veterans reenter daily life with greater confidence.
In 2025, American Humane Society trained and paired 11 service dogs. Each service dog team represents a significant investment, made possible through the support of donors. To date, Pups4Patriots has provided more than 300 healing leashes to veterans and retired first responders at no cost.
We also began development of a new national training headquarters at the American Humane Society Sanctuary in Palm City, Florida.
Learn more about Pups4Patriots
Military Working Dog Reunifications
For nearly 110 years, American Humane Society has supported veterans and the Military Working Dogs (MWDs) who serve alongside them. Through this program, retired MWDs are brought home to be adopted by their former handlers, with veterinary care covered for life.
We reunited 11 MWD teams in 2025, and 75 teams to date.
Learn more about Military Working Dog Reunifications
No Animals Were Harmed®
Since 1940, this program has been the leading industry-sanctioned program providing independent oversight of animals in filmed entertainment. For more than 80 years, No Animals Were Harmed has helped protect animal actors on set and set the trusted standard for the humane treatment of animals in film and television. Today, that work spans productions across 30 countries.
In 2025, Certified Animal Safety Representatives monitored more than 1,000 productions, including major motion pictures, episodic series and commercials.
Learn more about No Animals Were Harmed
American Humane Certified™ Farm Program
Now in its 25th year, the Farm Program is the largest independent farm animal welfare certification in the world.
More than one billion animals have been certified at 16,424 locations operated by 215 producers. Standards are species-specific, grounded in peer-reviewed research and verified through independent, third-party audits guided by rigorous science-based standards.
Learn more about the Farm Program
Humane Certified™ Zoos and Aquariums
Eighty-five zoological facilities and conservation centers across 19 countries participate in our certification program, which helps safeguard nearly 1.1 million animals through independent certification.
Six new facilities earned certification in 2025, including Vantara in India, Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna and Dublin Zoo.
Learn more about Zoo and Aquarium certification
Companion Animal Welfare Program
Launched in 2025, this program brings pet providers, working animals and live animal providers together under a single, science-based certification framework.
American Humane Society has protected more than 5.1 million animals through independent, third-party audits, including the Budweiser Clydesdales and Royal Caribbean International’s Chief Dog Officer, Rover.
Learn more about the Companion Animal Welfare Program
Global Conservation and Ecotourism
The Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa (GH-CFA) supports rewilding, anti-poaching and habitat restoration across five million acres of conservation landscapes.
In 2025, the fund translocated 42 elephants and 20 rhinos, rewilded five cheetahs and rescued 131 animals through the Elephant and Wildlife Rescue Unit in Uganda.
Global Humane Society also opened the Brad and Alice Andrews Preserve in South Africa’s Bushman’s River Biodiversity Corridor, adding 682 protected acres to support wildlife, such as elephants and black and white rhinos.
Learn more about conservation and ecotourism
American Humane Hero Dog Awards®
Since 2011, this annual nationwide competition has honored ordinary dogs that do extraordinary things across five categories.
The 2025 winner, Sgt. Bo, served as a therapy dog with the Metro Nashville Police Department.
Active in 95 countries across six continents
Global Humane Society, the international arm of American Humane Society, operates programs in 71 countries and has reached 95 nations through rescue missions, certification programs and conservation partnerships.
In 2025, the organization opened its first European Union office in Brussels, strengthening collaboration with EU institutions and policymakers.
Additional offices operate in Washington, D.C.; Palm Beach, Florida; Studio City, California; London; and Gqeberha, South Africa.
Nearly 150 years of protecting animals
In 2027, American Humane Society will celebrate its 150th anniversary. The milestones along the way tell the story of an organization that has shaped animal welfare policy and practice in the United States and around the world.
Key moments include:
- Rescuing 68,000 wounded horses per month during World War I (1916)
- Launching the “No Animals Were Harmed®” program (1940)
- Supporting the passage of the Animal Welfare Act (1966)
- Creating the first independent farm animal welfare certification (2000)
- Deploying to rescue animals after Hurricane Katrina (2005)
- Launching the Hero Dog Awards (2011)
- Breaking ground on the American Humane Society Sanctuary in Florida (2025)
Standards built on independent science
Scientific Advisory Committees composed of leading veterinarians, animal scientists and ethicists help guide the welfare criteria behind our certification programs. Committee members bring expertise from institutions including Purdue University, Colorado State University, Texas A&M, UC-Davis, Stanford and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
In 2025, we launched a dedicated Science and Standards Department under Chief Veterinary Officer and Animal Ethicist Dr. Tom Edling to advance research partnerships and strengthen humane education.
Frequently asked questions about American Humane Society
American Humane is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Our tax ID/EIN is 84-0432950. Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
American Humane Society holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, accreditation from the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid. In fiscal year 2025, 87% of spending went directly to program services. The organization has operated continuously since 1877 and is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 84-0432950).
In fiscal year 2025, 87% of all spending went to program services including rescue, certification, conservation and veteran support. Nine percent went to fundraising and 4% to general administration. Total revenue reached $72 million. Audited financial statements are published annually at AmericanHumane.org
More than 1.7 billion animals annually — 4.66 million per day. That includes more than one billion certified farm animals, 1.1 million zoo and aquarium animals, 5.1 million companion and working animals, 100,000 animal actors across 1,000+ film and TV productions and animals rescued during natural disasters and cruelty cases.
American Humane Society is the only animal welfare organization that operates across rescue, independent farm, zoo and aquarium certification, animal safety in filmed media, service dog training for veterans, military working dog reunifications and global wildlife conservation. This integrated approach allows us to reach animals in more places and in more ways than any single-focus organization. American Humane Society’s programs reach animals in 95 countries.
American Humane Society holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator (the highest possible), accreditation from the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (GuideStar) and a Top-Rated badge from Great Nonprofits.