Shelters and rescues Breed-specific rescue groups have purebred dogs and puppies looking for new homes. Many pets end up homeless through no fault of their own or of their previous family. Rather, a lack of affordable and pet-friendly housing tops the list of reasons pets are surrendered to shelters...
When we think of “aggression,” we may think of a variety of motivations and impulses deriving from our own experience as humans. Fortunately, aggression in cats is easier to make sense of and typically derives from two impulses: fear and mistrust. These are the most likely scenarios to cause fear...
Moving slowly on shaky legs, Chloe, a shepherd mix, padded across the hardwood floor, circled the coffee table and stopped in front of the dog bed in the corner of the living room. She stared at the bed for several long seconds, then turned away and made another circuit of the room. “She did this...
They started arriving the night before, determined to be among the first in line when the doors opened in the morning. With their dogs by their sides and cats cozied in carriers on their laps, families settled in to wait for the sun to rise on the Spayathon™ for Puerto Rico, the largest known spay...
Contents Is there a connection between animal abuse and criminal violence? How does animal abuse relate to domestic abuse? Can animal neglect indicate abuse toward people? Is animal abuse in children normal? How can stopping animal abuse affect other issues? Are there any laws or policies addressing...
Contents What is animal cruelty? Why is it a concern? Why would anyone be cruel to animals? Is there any evidence of a connection between animal cruelty and human violence? What happens when authorities prosecute an animal cruelty case? Can reports be made anonymously? How many animals are victims...
The shocking number of animal cruelty cases reported every day is just the tip of the iceberg—most cases are never reported. Unlike violent crimes against people, cases of animal abuse are not compiled by state or federal agencies, making it difficult to calculate just how common they are. However...
The Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society Legislative Fund and Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association are calling on state and federal leaders to classify goods and services that are needed to provide for animals as essential when making emergency declarations to suspend...
What is the Humane Society of the United States’ Animal Rescue and Response team? How/when does the team get called in to help? What sort of situations are you typically called in for? If you hear about a situation where animals need help, can you just go? Can I call you if I know of animals who...
Contents How many animals are used in experiments? Which kinds of animals are used in experiments? What kinds of experiments are animals used in? What kinds of institutions use animals in experiments? Where do laboratories get the animals they use in experiments? What is life like for animals in...
Pet food and other necessities To locate a pet food pantry or other pet-related community service, explore an interactive resource map provided by Feeding Pets of the Homeless; just choose which resource you’re seeking under the “Get Help” listing on the right. Or contact your local shelter and...
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana—The Humane Society of the United States is honored to present a Leadership in Action award to Puerto Rico First Lady Beatriz Rosselló, for her leadership, collaboration and incredible support of Spayathon™ for Puerto Rico. The award will be presented on April 16 at the Humane...
Teddy, a beagle saved from a Michigan research lab in 2019 after an HSUS undercover investigation at Charles River Laboratories, is now the namesake for important bipartisan legislation in the Michigan House that could drive progress for laboratory animals. Teddy’s Law is comprised of two bills. H.B...
Maybe you’ve seen those videos of our Animal Rescue and Response team saving animals from hurricanes, floods and large-scale neglect situations. We HSUS staffers who toil in front of computer screens and aren’t directly involved in rescues have seen those videos too. And sometimes we feel a little...
If you've ever had to put a beloved pet to sleep, then you know how heartbreaking it can be to lose a member of your family. Yet at the end of a cat or dog's life, the peace of a quiet room, the soft embrace of someone who cares and a gentle, painless sleep induced by a trained technician is one of...
When she managed a veterinary eye clinic in Portland, Oregon, Caroline Levin witnessed some heartbreaking scenes. “I’m sorry,” the veterinarian would tell a pet owner. “Your dog is blind. There is nothing we can do.” “The people would leave in tears,” Levin says, “whether it was some little old lady...
