Contents What is the Humane Society of the United States doing to help farm animals? What are some of the biggest problems farm animals face? Aren't there laws that protect farm animals from abuse? What are ag-gag bills? Don't animals have to be treated well to be productive? What can I do to help...

Imagine a chicken. Picture her downy white feathers and small, intense eyes. Maybe she’s sitting on a nest, softly clucking. Perhaps she’s scratching in the dirt, a quaint red barn in silhouette behind her. Cows graze contentedly nearby; a pig snuffles in the mud. It’s an idyllic vision, familiar...

Wherever you live or work, chances are that there are community cats living nearby. You may see them hanging outside a neighbor’s home, lurking around the dumpsters behind a local restaurant or grocery store, or loitering around a commercial lot. An estimated 10-12% of the American public feed...

In 2019, Sara Shields, in southern India for workshops with Humane Society International colleagues, drove into the countryside near Bangalore to visit industrial chicken operations. At the first farm she stopped at, she saw hundreds of white-feathered birds in long open-sided barns with burlap...

Maggie the pig was abandoned on an island in a river, then rescued after a flood. First, she nearly starved. Then, she nearly drowned. When Maggie arrived at Black Beauty Ranch in March 2023 at age 2, caregivers hoped to give her a life that would make up for all the suffering. But the pig, bred to...

Every morning, the teams at Black Beauty Ranch spread out across 1,400 acres to care for the nearly 650 animals who call the sanctuary home. It’s not an easy task. The sanctuary is home to around 40 species, meaning caregivers need a high level of knowledge about all sorts of animals. Insights into...

The overwhelming majority of meat, eggs and dairy sold in the United States come from industrial factory farms where animals are housed in ruthlessly small spaces and subjected to other cruel treatment. Packaging for animal products frequently contains phrases or images meant to signify higher...

Writing our annual year-end review is no easy task. We sift through mountains of data, read through reports and try to choose just a few victories that capture the incredible breadth of work we do here at the Humane Society family of organizations. This year, we’re trying something different: We...

There’s a surprisingly simple way to make a big difference in the lives of animals: incorporating more plant-based foods. The more plants you eat, the more animals you’ll spare from lives of suffering. Fewer mother pigs will be kept in crates so small they can barely move. Fewer egg-laying hens will...

See the difference between cage-free egg production and battery-cage egg production.

The atmosphere is often bustling at our care and rehabilitation center in Maryland, a haven for animals rescued from cruelty, neglect and disasters, where they take their first steps toward a second chance and a loving home. Bear, a 2-year-old Alaskan Malamute mix, was one of approximately 40 dogs...

Officers Kitty Block, Chief Executive Officer and President William H. Hall, Chief Financial Officer Angela Ciccolo, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer Alison Corcoran, Chief Development and Marketing Officer Erin Frackleton, Chief Operating Officer Nicole Paquette, Chief Program and Policy...

We’re working to increase equity in access to care through policy making, training for veterinary and animal welfare professionals, and direct care programs that provide veterinary care, pet supplies, other animal care services and information at no cost to pet owners. We’ve provided: More than 440...

There are more than 10,000 puppy mills in the U.S., most of which market themselves as “USDA approved” “small family breeders.” Despite what they may tell you, most (if not all) pet stores sell puppy mill puppies, and most (if not all) commercial breeders house parent dogs in conditions most people...

Impact We are advocates for system-wide and long-term impact, working strategically to improve the lives of animals. We go big. We take on the toughest, most institutionalized cruelties. We rescue and care for animals in crisis. We strengthen the capabilities of our teammates and allies so that our...

The best way to know how to do that is to prepare. Adapting to your senior pet’s needs You can start by making changes to help senior pets have a more comfortable life. For example: Take shorter walks. Have shorter play sessions. Switch to a litter box with lower sides for easy access. Add throw...

The anticipation of a storm can give many pets and their owners anxiety. We don't always know why some dogs are afraid of thunder, and these types of fears may develop even if your dog has had no traumatic experiences associated with the sound. The good news is that many fear-related problems can be...