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Our work in Africa

Humane World for Animals tackles the root causes of animal cruelty and suffering to create permanent change. We make change at scale, advocating for policy change at all levels of government and working with companies so that they can be kinder to animals their businesses impact. We work in partnership with communities, bringing diverse expertise to the most complex issues, and doing it all with a compassionate and welcoming approach.  

Our impact

We envision a world without animal cruelty, where humans and animals coexist peacefully. In Africa, we work to promote non-lethal solutions to human-wildlife conflicts, improve the lives of animals raised for food, end the illegal wildlife and captive big cat trade, advocate for a more plant-forward food system, increase access to spay/neuter services and primary veterinary care for companion animals, ending cosmetics animal testing and helping animals in disaster situations.  

70%
female breeding-age elephants

outside Kruger National Park have received an immunocontraceptive vaccine

60+
chimpanzees retired from research

have a permanent home at our sanctuary in Liberia

1,300+
dogs and cats

in South Africa have been sterilized through our Healthy Pets, Healthier Communities initiative

Where we work

Humane World for Animals is a leading force for animal protection across the continent. In South Africa, we have active campaigns to improve conditions for farmed animals, protect wildlife, reduce the use of animals in testing and better protect companion animals. In Liberia, our Second Chance Chimpanzee Refuge provides lifetime care to more than 60 chimpanzees who were used in invasive research for decades. 

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Join Us on a Humane Travels Tour

At this time, we are no longer offering trips to SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. Please still consider donating to help the animals at SanWild. If you are interested in Humane Travels with HSI, please email us at humanetravels@humaneworld.org. Read about

Wildlife protection
Don't Buy Wild

Illegal wildlife trade generates more than USD $10 billion annually, third behind only the illegal drug and arms trades. While many people knowingly contribute to such trade, unsuspecting customers can easily buy items like ivory trinkets and turtle shell products in stores

Wildlife protection
Don't Buy Wild Guide

The global trade in wildlife parts and products is hugely detrimental and many travelers unknowingly participate in this trade. Wildlife and wildlife products may be legal to sell in certain countries, but bringing these items home with you may be illegal or

Top Five Reasons to Use a Community Ecotourism Operator

In HSI’s Wildlife Ecotourism section, we work with local NGOs in developing countries to help communities create ecotourism products that are unique, exciting, and beneficial for people, animals, and the environment. To find out the five most compelling reasons to try this

Stronger Legal Protections for Animals in Labs

In September 2010, the European Union voted to adopt a new law for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, which replaces its nearly 25-year-old predecessor. Humane Society International has been at the forefront of the animal welfare lobbying effort throughout

Street Dogs in Mexico

Of all the Spanish-speaking countries in the Americas, Mexico has by far the greatest number of animal welfare organizations actively seeking the support of the government and the community to pass stricter laws against animal cruelty. The current state of affairs in

Farmed animal welfare
Intensive Confinement of Farm Animals in Brazil

Do you know where the eggs that you consume come from? Although we tend to believe that animals raised for food roam freely on pastures or on small outdoor farms, this is far from reality for most farm animals. The majority of

South Africa's Dark Side

by Marcie Berry Update: In November 2010, a Supreme Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the South Africa Predator Breeders’ Association regarding the hunting of captive-bred lions. This is sad news for lions in South Africa and it is unfortunate that

Sara Shields, Ph.D.

Sara Shields earned her B.S. in Zoology from Colorado State University and her Ph.D. from The University of California, Davis in Animal Behavior in 2004. She worked in a postdoctoral capacity at the University of Nebraska, in the Animal Science department, as

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