Home What We Do Certify Humane Treatment Farms Farm Certification Standards

The American Humane Certified™ Animal Welfare Standards are species-specific and grounded on solid scientific research. The standards were created with input from renowned animal science experts and veterinarians and are frequently reviewed by our Scientific Advisory Committee to reflect current research, technological advances and humane handling methods.

Our Animal Welfare Standards are based upon the guiding principles of the Five Domains of Animal Welfare. With rigorous, science-based standards covering everything from adequate space to air and water quality, heating, lighting, shade and the animals’ ability to engage in natural behaviors. American Humane Certified producers are audited for their compliance to the standards. Our audit tools, full standards and supplemental templates are fully transparent and can be downloaded below.

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Bison

Dairy Goats

Ducks (Meat and Egg Layers)

Hatcheries

Layers (Cage Free)

Effective January 2026

Audit Tool

Effective January 2026

Animal Care Standards

Layers (Free Range and Pasture)

Effective January 2026

Audit Tool

Effective January 2026

Animal Care Standards

Layers (Free Range and Pasture) Documentation Template

Use this template to collect and organize the required information ahead of the audit.

Farm Manual Template

News and updates

Fall 2025 Farm Newsletter

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25 Years of American Humane Society Transforming Farm Animal Welfare

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Spring 2025 Farm Newsletter

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