The perception that animals are “overpopulated” in certain areas generally overlooks the fact that their habitat may have been eaten away by development, or their natural predators may have been removed. Whatever the reason, The HSUS is the leading advocate and innovator in humane wildlife-population control.
The HSUS is a leader in the emerging field of immunocontraception—a humane way to control animal populations where it’s necessary and appropriate. This method safely uses the body's immune response to prevent pregnancy without harming the animal or the population as a whole.
Immunocontraception has been used to control deer and wild horse populations across the United States and elephant populations in South Africa.
Overpopulation doesn’t just take place in the wild. That’s why we’ve made immunocontraception technology available to zoos to help alleviate the suffering that results from the excessive breeding of wildlife in captivity.
News & Events
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September 6, 2011
Congressional Members Urge Interior Department to Consider Contraception for Deer
U.S. Reps. Norton, Moran and Van Hollen say deer contraception project “could serve as a model for other national parks and urban communities around the country.”
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May 16, 2011
The HSUS and New York City Audubon Applaud Prospect Park for Humane Goose Management Program
A comprehensive Prospect Park program to humanely address the Canada geese population in the Brooklyn park is garnering praise from leading national and local wildlife advocates, including The HSUS and New York City Audubon.
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February 15, 2011
Innovative Humane Deer Management Program Tested in Maryland Suburbs
The HSUS applauds an innovative program in the Baltimore suburbs to control the white-tailed deer population through sterilization.
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January 25, 2011
The HSUS Criticizes BLM's Rejection of Madeleine Pickens’ Wild Horse Solution
The HSUS criticizes the Bureau of Land Management’s decision to reject a proposal by philanthropist and wild horse advocate Madeleine Pickens to create an eco-sanctuary for America’s mustangs. Her plan would be one important component within a broader plan to fix the agency’s broken wild horse and burro management program.
Our Victories
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November 9, 2010
The HSUS and Washington Humane Society Praise DC Council for Passing Wildlife Protection Act
The HSUS and the Washington Humane Society praised the D.C. Council for passing legislation to regulate wildlife control operators in the District, ensuring consumer protection and humane treatment of wildlife.
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November 3, 2010
Voters Support Humane Policies on Election Day
Voters in Missouri have passed the nation's first statewide ballot measure to protect dogs from the worst abuses at puppy mills, and voters in Arizona resoundingly rejected a legislative power grab on wildlife management. The Humane Society of the United States led campaigns with coalition partners in both states, and these victories are the latest in a string of electoral victories in recent years through animal-protection ballot measures.
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August 6, 2010
Federal Court Reinstates Federal Wolf Protections
In a victory for the gray wolves of the northern Rockies, a federal judge today granted conservationists’ request to stop the slaughter of wolves and reinstate federal Endangered Species Act protections.
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November 16, 2009
An Eagle Eye on Wildlife
Last Friday, Wayne Pacelle paid a visit to our newest animal care center—the SPCA Wildlife Care Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.