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Our Impact in the U.S.

We’re there for animals who are suffering in the U.S. today. And we’re confronting the root causes of that suffering for a kinder tomorrow.​   

5 states

banned the extreme confinement of farm animals

12 states

ban the sale of cosmetics tested on animals

Over 400
communities

enacted humane pet store laws to stop puppy mills

What we are working on

Humane World for Animals is working hard to protect all animals in the United States. 

Humane World for Animals staff holding chicken

Meredith Lee/Humane World for Animals

Ending the cruelest practices

We’re fighting to give farmed animals room to move and to promote a plant-forward food system. We’re advocating for a world where no animals are used in research and testing by replacing that practice with sophisticated non-animal alternatives. We’re finding creative ways to ensure companion animals and their families have the resources they need. We’re caring for animals in crisis, promoting more humane wildlife management approaches and teaching people how to peacefully coexist with nature.

 

Kitten rescued from hurricane reaches out to HSUS rescuer through carrier on boat in high flooded water

Anthony Rathbun/AP Images for the HSUS

Rescued after a hurricane.

Caring for animals in crisis

We work with local groups to respond to disasters, and we help law enforcement investigate and respond to puppy mills, dogfighting, neglect and more. We run sanctuaries in Oregon and Texas for animals rescued from the wildlife trade and cruelty situations. We also operate a care and rehabilitation center for dogs and cats rescued from disasters and cruelty situations. 

Two Veterinarians holding puppies

Daniel Heddon/The HSUS

Building a strong animal protection movement

Through grants, training, partnerships and events, we help shelters, rescue organizations, veterinarians, law enforcement officers, government agencies at all levels, community leaders and the public create meaningful change for animals. We’ve connected more than a million pets and their families with the resources they need. We’ve also trained thousands of professionals to lead effective investigations, resolve human-animal conflicts with compassion, assist pets in low-income households and more.

Our Results

Across the U.S., we’ve made significant progress, especially in recent years.

We work around the country to help protect animals. Led by our state directors, we partner with elected officials, law enforcement, volunteer advocates and a vast coalition of others to ensure that animal welfare legislation is put into place and enforced throughout the country.

After decades of work, all 50 states now have felony animal cruelty provisions. And the FBI now tracks animal cruelty in its crime reporting system.

In 2022, after years of effort, the Big Cat Public Safety Act banned keeping big cats as pets or letting the public interact with them.

As of 2024, over 40% of the egg-laying hens in the country are cage-free. We’ve also continued our work with 12 of the top 50 food service companies and self-operated dining programs to set—and meet—plant-based menu and meat reduction goals. Similarly, we’ve partnered with corporations, universities and other institutions to require that hens kept for egg production are not confined to cages and pregnant pigs kept for breeding are not confined to cages throughout their pregnancies. And we continue to defend attacks on state laws banning extreme farm animal confinement.

We’re also making progress at the state level. In 2023, California—which in 2017 made up nearly a quarter of all retail fur sales in the U.S.— implemented the first statewide ban on new fur sales.  

traveler1116/iStock.com

Contact your state director

Our state directors work daily to advocate for animal protection laws in state capitols, local communities, and beyond. Through community organizing and direct lobbying efforts, our state directors fight the big fights to end suffering for all animals. Find the state director near you.

Latest news

KS Cockfighting Rescue

Mike Simons/AP Images for Humane World for Animals

More than 400 roosters and hens removed from alleged cockfighting operation in Sumner County, Kansas

SUMNER COUNTY, Kan. (Feb. 14, 2025)— On Tuesday, Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States, assisted the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office with the seizure of more

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Humane Society to become "Humane World for Animals” to better reflect the organization’s mission and presence 70 years after founding

WASHINGTON—The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International announced today that they will change their name to Humane World for Animals to clarify their longstanding shared

United States
Victory: US restricts the import of live African elephants and trophies

WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a final rule governing import permits for live African elephants and elephant hunting trophies. This action effectively bans elephant

United States

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