Raise the Standard. Earn the Mark.
American Humane Certified™ is an animal welfare certification program grounded in science and evidence, benefiting animals and the people who care for them, and part of a global commitment to advancing humane care.
Why Become Certified?
As the first and largest third-party farm animal welfare certification in the U.S., the American Humane Certified™ Farm Program has set the standard for ethical farming for 25 years. We will help your operation lead with integrity, earn trust and meet the growing demand for verified humane care.
What Sets Our Program Apart
A Mark Consumers Trust
Our mark signals that your operation meets high animal welfare standards — trusted by retailers and recognized by buyers nationwide.
Science-Based, Expert-Driven Standards
Certification is built on species-specific guidelines developed and regularly reviewed by veterinarians, animal scientists, ethicists and independent advisors.
A Program That Scales With You
From family farms to national producers, we provide tailored support and practical tools to help operations of any size meet rigorous welfare benchmarks.
Credibility and Continued Support
Our certification is built on transparency and trust. Independent, third-party audits verify your commitment to high welfare standards, while our team provides ongoing guidance to help you meet benchmarks, share your story and grow your impact.
Real Producers. Real Impact.
What our certified producers are saying.
Animal care is not just a buzz phrase for Perdue – it’s part of a deeply-rooted set of values we’ve held since the company first started in 1920… This certification is a reflection of the hard work, diligence, and accountability behind our practices.
Perdue Foods
Our customers appreciate the extra step we’ve taken. The certification allows them to feel confident about what they’re buying-and why.
Sandra & Daniel Lauseker
Founders, Outward Farms
Our commitment to the humane treatment of animals has been a core tenet of our mission since day one, and we are proud to continue meeting the rigorous standards required to maintain our certification.
Springer Mountain Farms
American Humane Society’s focus on requiring continuous improvement aligns with our business strategy. Since partnering with them, we have achieved our goal of keeping humane handling at the forefront of the daily conversations that drive our business.
Sean Smith
General Manager, Culver Duck
FAQs
What makes American Humane Certified unique from other certification groups?
There are several things that make us unique!
Broad reach: American Humane Society’s mission goes far beyond farms. Our organization certifies animal welfare wherever animals are, whether on Hollywood film sets, in zoos, or on the farms that produce your food. Anywhere you may interact with animals, we’re there too!
Truly third-party audits: While some groups rely on internal auditors, we contract highly trained, independent professionals that have experience with the animals they audit. All of our certified auditing bodies have PAACO-certified auditors and complete American Humane-specific welfare training.
Science-based standards: While some groups claim to be science-based, we consistently rely on scientific understanding to inform what’s best for each type of animal. Our standards are rooted in the latest research and emerging technologies. All standards are reviewed by our Scientific Advisory Committee to ensure they reflects the best available science and supports continuous welfare improvement
How much does it cost to become American Humane Certified™?
The cost varies depending on the size of your operation and the volume of production. Fees are divided into certification and auditing costs, both of which scale with your production. We’re happy to provide a customized quote! Simply reach out to our team, and we’ll put together clear details for your operation.
How long does the process take?
The timeline depends on the size of your operation and auditor availability, but we always strive to work with your schedule. The process begins with an initial consultation where we outline expectations, timelines, and costs, as well as answer any questions. From there, we complete an initial review, schedule and perform on-site audits, and carefully review audit results to ensure accuracy. Once all requirements are met, certification is finalized. Certification is then renewed on an annual basis.
What types of farms or animals are eligible for certification?
All farms can be eligible for certification! Our standards are designed to scale for both small family farms and large operations. We assess the full lifecycle of animals covered in the program, from hatchery through growth, transport, and processing. Certified producers must demonstrate that their entire supply chain meets our standards, ensuring consistent welfare protections from start to finish.
Currently we have fully public and transparent animal welfare standards for broiler chickens, laying hens, beef cattle, bison, dairy cattle, dairy goats, dairy sheep, turkeys, ducks, and pigs.
Do you offer support before the audit?
Absolutely! Our goal is to set producers up for success. Before the audit, we provide guidance on preparing your facilities, reviewing your records, and making sure your documentation is in order. We also offer free tools and templates to make recordkeeping easier and more efficient.
Beyond resources, our team is available to answer questions, clarify standards, and walk through the process with you. We can also connect you with members of our Scientific Advisory Committee for expert input. We believe that supporting producers from the beginning helps create the best outcomes for both the animals and the people who care for them
Who We Are
American Humane Society, founded in 1877 as the nation’s first humane organization, is the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare, helping verify the humane treatment of over one billion animals each year. Certification is more than a program, it’s a legacy of science, standards and trust.
Our Farm Program is the first and most comprehensive humane certification for agriculture in the U.S., but our work extends far beyond farms. Our comprehensive certifications span industries and continents, including zoos, aquariums, ecotourism, companion animal welfare and film and television through the iconic No Animals Were Harmed™ program.
From local farms to global conservation centers and Hollywood film sets, we are raising the standard of humane care wherever animals live in human care.
Scientific Advisory Committee
American Humane Society relies on this distinguished group to provide guidance and review procedures, guidelines, policies and ethics. Additionally, we rely on our scientific advisors to initiate and evaluate original and secondary research and guide us in determining best practices.
Leaders in Humane Farming
Our certified producers, processors, retailers, restaurants and food service companies have committed to the humane treatment of animals according to the our welfare standards. The American Humane Certified mark appears only on products from audited and certified facilities.
Advancing Humane Agriculture
Proud member of the coalitions shaping the future of sustainable animal agriculture.
