American Humane Society is the only organization in the world that certifies the humane treatment of animals across film and television sets, farms, zoos and aquariums, ecotourism experiences and companion animal care, while also deploying a national rescue team, providing service dogs to veterans and retired first responders, reuniting military working dogs with their handlers and advancing global wildlife conservation.
No other humane organization covers this breadth of species, settings and services. Across all our programs, we certify the humane treatment of more than one billion animals a year.
What Makes American Humane Society Unique
No Animals Were Harmed® — On-Set Monitoring
American Humane Society has monitored animal welfare on film and television sets since 1940.
Our No Animals Were Harmed® end-credit certification is the leading industry-sanctioned program providing independent oversight of animals in filmed entertainment, recognized internationally by filmmakers, producers and the viewing public.
Rescue Team
The American Humane Rescue team, formerly American Humane Red Star®, dates back to 1916, when the U.S. Secretary of War asked American Humane to care for wounded horses on the battlefields of World War I. Our teams rescued and treated an estimated 68,000 wounded horses a month.
Today, the rescue team deploys to natural disasters and cruelty or animal neglect cases across the country with a fleet of specially equipped rescue vehicles. Our first responders coordinate emergency veterinary care, and provide shelter, care and supplies to animals affected by hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes and other crises.
Pups4Patriots™
Pups4Patriots pairs specially trained service dogs with military veterans and retired first responders living with post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injury. The program covers all costs — from training through certification — so participants never pay out of pocket.
More than 300 service dogs have been placed since the program launched in 2017. All dogs are trained according to American Humane Society’s service dog guidelines, developed in consultation with a Scientific Advisory Committee of veteran experts, mental health professionals, veterinarians and animal welfare specialists.
American Humane Certified™ Programs
American Humane Certified™ encompasses the world’s most far-reaching animal welfare certification programs. Guided by leading scientists, veterinarians and ethicists, our science-based standards verify humane treatment across five areas of animal care:
- Farms — the first and largest third-party farm animal welfare certification program in the United States, covering nearly one billion animals a year
- Zoos & Aquariums — the world’s first independent certification for zoos and aquariums, protecting more than one million animals in 19 countries
- No Animals Were Harmed — on-set monitoring for more than 1,000 film and television productions worldwide each year
- Companion Animal Welfare — standards for pet providers and working animals
- Ecotourism — certification for animal-centered travel and tourism experiences
Together, these programs help verify the humane treatment of more than one billion animals across the globe each year, making American Humane Society the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare.
Military Working Dog Reunifications
As part of our military programs, American Humane Society reunites retired military working dogs with their former handlers. These dogs served alongside U.S. service members overseas and deserve a safe, healthy retirement at home.
American Humane Society covers the full cost of the reunification process and provides lifelong veterinary care to ensure these canine veterans receive the support they have earned.
Conservation and Global Humane Society
Building on a nearly 150-year legacy, Global Humane Society, the international arm of American Humane Society, advances humane treatment and wildlife conservation through science-based approaches and international collaboration that strengthen animal welfare worldwide.
Through the Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa, Global Humane Society protects Africa’s wildlife and wilderness. The Fund supports rewilding, anti-poaching and habitat restoration through science-based conservation work.
American Humane Society’s Sanctuaries
In 2025, American Humane Society opened two landmark sanctuaries:
The American Humane Society Sanctuary in Palm City, Florida, is a 15-acre rescue center offering hope and healing for animals and people. The Sanctuary will provide a home for animals rescued from disasters, cruelty and neglect — including horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and livestock — while they await reunification with their families or placement in a new home.
It also serves as the national training headquarters for our disaster rescue program and home to the first ever residential Pups4Patriots service dog training program. The Sanctuary features the Betty White Healing Garden, honoring the legendary actress and animal welfare champion’s 70-year relationship with our organization.
In South Africa, Global Humane Society opened the Brad and Alice Andrews Preserve in the Bushman’s River Biodiversity Corridor. The 682-acre wildlife preserve is a critical part of the Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa’s rewilding and habitat preservation efforts, as it works to strengthen ecological balance and prepare the landscape for the safe reintroduction of wildlife, such as elephants and black rhino.
Our Name Over the Years
American Humane Society is the nation’s first humane operation and has operated under several names since its founding. Here is how our identity has evolved.
- 1877: Founded as the International Humane Association in Cleveland, Ohio.
- 1878: Renamed the American Humane Association.
- 2000s-2024: Commonly known as American Humane and American Humane Society.
- 2025: Rebranded as American Humane Society, with international arm Global Humane Society and new tagline: “Rescue. Care. Protect.”
Frequently Asked Questions
American Humane Society, founded in 1877, is the oldest national humane organization in the United States and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare.
We certify humane treatment, rescue animals in disasters, provide service dogs to veterans, reunite retiring military working dogs with their handlers and lead global conservation and sanctuary efforts.
No. Your local humane society or SPCA is an independent organization with its own leadership and funding. We are a national nonprofit and do not operate, oversee or accredit local shelters.
Our sanctuaries in Florida and South Africa are not shelters. They provide care for rescued animals and serve as training grounds for our rescue team and Pups4Patriots program.
Yes. American Humane is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Washington, D.C. We are the oldest national humane organization in the United States and publish our financials and impact reports annually.
Our No Animals Were Harmed certification protects more than 100,000 animals in 30 countries. Our Humane Certified farm program covers nearly one billion animals annually.
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