About Us: Overview

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest and most effective animal protection organization—backed by 11 million Americans, or one in every 28. Established in 1954, The HSUS seeks a humane and sustainable world for all animals—a world that will also benefit people. We are America’s mainstream force against cruelty, exploitation and neglect, as well as the most trusted voice extolling the human-animal bond. ..

Our mission statement:

Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty.

We work to reduce suffering and to create meaningful social change for animals by advocating for sensible public policies, investigating cruelty and working to enforce existing laws, educating the public about animal issues, joining with corporations on behalf of animal-friendly policies, and conducting hands-on programs that make ours a more humane world. We are the lead disaster relief agency for animals, and we provide direct care for thousands of animals at our sanctuaries and rescue facilities, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and mobile veterinary clinics.

We celebrate pets, as well as wildlife and habitat protection. We are the nation’s most important advocate for local humane societies, providing shelter standards and evaluations, training programs, a national advertising campaign to promote pet adoption, direct support, and national conferences. We are building a Humane Wildlife Services program to provide homeowners and businesses with humane and effective solutions to conflicts with our wild neighbors. The HSUS publishes All Animals, a membership magazine, and Animal Sheltering, a bi-monthly magazine for animal sheltering professionals.

We confront national and global cruelties through major campaigns targeting the barbaric practices of dogfighting and cockfighting; abusive puppy mills where dogs are treated not like family but like production machines; the worst cruelties of factory farming in modern agribusiness such as confinement of animals in crates and cages; inhumane and unsporting hunting practices such as “canned hunts” of captive exotic animals; the slaughter of American horses for export to foreign countries where horsemeat is considered a delicacy; and the clubbing of baby seals and other animals for the commercial fur trade. Our track record of effectiveness has led to meaningful victories for animals in Congress, state legislatures, courtrooms and corporate boardrooms.

Frequently Asked Questions

General F.A.Q.
Membership F.A.Q.
Donations F.A.Q.
T-shirts, Notecards and Address Labels (Mail Order Gifts) F.A.Q.

General F.A.Q.

• What does The HSUS do?
• How is The HSUS affiliated with my local humane society?
• How is The HSUS affiliated with other animal organizations?
• Can I get more information about The HSUS and its organizations?
• Does The HSUS offer programs or literature for children?
• How can I get information about The HSUS’ financial status and fund allocations?
• How can I receive The HSUS magazine, All Animals?
• Does The HSUS have a catalog or store?
• How can I receive an animal calendar?

The HSUS is the nation’s largest animal protection organization. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research, and farm animals. Our mission is to celebrate animals and confront cruelty. The HSUS protects all animals through legislation, litigation, investigation, education, science, advocacy and field work. A non-profit organization, The HSUS celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2004, is based in Washington, D.C. and has regional representatives across the country.

For more than a half century, The HSUS has stood as the nation’s most important advocate for local humane societies.  Additionally, The HSUS operates its own network of sanctuaries, providing care and homes to more animals than any other national animal protection organization in the United States. Find out how The HSUS serves local animal shelters and provides direct animal care coast to coast.

The HSUS shares similar goals with many organizations. We are directly affiliated with the following organizations:

To receive a packet of information about The HSUS and membership, please contact us by phone, email, or conventional mail (301-258-8276, membership@hsus.org, or HSUS, 2100 L St, NW, Washington D.C. 20037). We will provide you with information about our programs and a complimentary issue of our magazine, All Animals.

Our youth education division, Humane Society: Youth, oversees the Mission: Humane program to involve youth in animal protection and produces KIND News, a series of animal newspapers designed for grades K-6. If you would like to sign up a classroom for Kind News or receive further information on Mission: Humane, please call 860-434-8666, or visit Parents & Educators. For educational resources for middle and high school students, visit www.humaneteen.org.

The latest annual reports are available online. To receive a copy of The HSUS’ latest financial report, call us at 202-452-1100, or email us at membership@hsus.org.

Members who donate a one-time gift of at least $25, as well as all participants in our monthly pledge program, receive our bimonthly magazine, All Animals. All Animals updates HSUS members on animal-protection issues, recent HSUS successes, and special programs. If you would like a sample issue, please contact HSUS Membership Services at 301-258-8276.

In place of a catalog, The HSUS has an online store. You can shop for a variety of products for both you and your pet at The Humane Domain. To browse our merchandise, please visit www.humanedomain.org. A portion of all proceeds will be used to support our animal protection programs.

HSUS members receive the Pet Lover’s Calendar as part of their membership. To request a free copy (while supplies last), and to learn about membership, please contact The HSUS at 301-258-8276.

Our Policies

The following statements of policy have been prepared by the professional staff of The HSUS and were approved by its Board of Directors on October 22, 2005 (unless another date is indicated). These statements express the values and positions of The HSUS on a wide range of issues involving human activities affecting animals. These positions are not immutable, given that circumstances, technology, and societal values can and do change.

• Statement Against Violence
• Statement of Principles and Beliefs
• Statement on Animals in Biomedical Research, Testing, and Education
• Statement on Animals in Entertainment and Competition
• Statement on Climate Change
• Statement on Companion Animals
• Statement on Disasters
• Statement on Euthanasia
• Statement on Farm Animals and Eating with Conscience
• Statement on Wild Animals

This article in its entirety is courtesy of  The Humane Society of the United States who can be contacted at:

The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20037
Attn: Member Services
Ph: 301-258-8276
membership@humanesociety.org

The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20037
Attn: Member Services
Ph: 202-452-1100
humanesociety@humanesociety.org