American Humane
American Humane is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Washington, D.C., operating the world's largest animal welfare certification program (1B+ animals annually), running national programs such as the Hero Dog Awards and Be Kind to Animals Week, and delivering disaster response, rescue, and shelter grant services across the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1915
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What American Humane does
American Humane (legally American Humane Association) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., founded in 1915 (with a "Be Kind to Animals Week" tradition dating to World War I). It is the world's largest certifier of animal welfare, verifying humane treatment of more than one billion animals globally each year through its American Humane Certified program, which covers farms, zoos, and other facilities. The organization serves animal shelters, rescue organizations, pet owners, and evacuees, with a particular operational emphasis on disaster response, animal rescue from neglect and hoarding situations, and shelter grant support.
The organization operates a portfolio of programs and initiatives. These include the annual Hero Dog Awards (15th annual held in October 2025), the Second Chance Grants program providing financial support and in-kind donations for shelter animal care, the Be Kind to Animals Week initiative (111th annual in May 2026, the longest-running commemorative week in U.S. history), and emergency animal rescue operations. Recent operational milestones include the January 2025 LA wildfire relief effort—coordinating transport of over 300 shelter animals to safety, veterinary care to more than 100 displaced pets, and distribution of more than 10,000 pounds of pet food and supplies—and a Texas hoarding rescue in 2025 involving more than 125 dogs.
As a charitable nonprofit, American Humane does not disclose standard product or service pricing. Revenue mechanics rely on donations, grants, corporate partnerships, and program/certification fees. Corporate supporters span the pet care sector (Mars, Hill's Pet Nutrition, PEDIGREE Foundation, Zoetis, Cat's Pride/Oil-Dri) and increasingly adjacent consumer brands (Spike Wine), with operational rescue partnerships including Wings of Rescue, Paws For Life K9 Rescue, RedRover, Ferris Animal Services, Flying B Animal Rescue & Sanctuary, and the Red Cross. Governance is provided by a board chaired by John Payne, with Amanda Bowman as Vice Chair and Robin Ganzert as President and CEO.
American Humane firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- American Humane
- Legal name
- American Humane Association
- Website
- https://americanhumane.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1915
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- American Humane is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Washington, D.C., operating the world's largest animal welfare certification program (1B+ animals annually), running national programs such as the Hero Dog Awards and Be Kind to Animals Week, and delivering disaster response, rescue, and shelter grant services across the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
American Humane industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Animal Welfare Certification Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Animal Welfare Certification Services (AFALAMAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC), Animal Cruelty Prevention, Investigation & Humane Law Enforcement (BPAGAIAG), Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB), Education & Community Outreach (Responsible Pet Ownership) (BPAGAIAK)
Keywords
Where American Humane is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
American Humane business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
American Humane product offering
Product offeringCore offering
American Humane operates the world's largest animal welfare certification program, verifying the humane treatment of more than one billion animals globally each year across farms, zoos, and other facilities. The organization also conducts large-scale animal rescue and disaster relief operations, manages grant programs supporting shelter animal care, and runs national public education campaigns promoting animal welfare.
Product overview
American Humane Society is an animal welfare organization, not a technology product company. Its offerings consist of certification programs, grant initiatives, awards programs, and emergency response services. The organization operates the American Humane Certified program (the world's largest animal welfare certifier covering over 1 billion animals annually), the annual Hero Dog Awards recognizing service dogs, the Second Chance Grants program supporting shelter animal care, and the Be Kind to Animals Week educational initiative. Additional services include emergency animal rescue and relief operations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- American Humane Certified The world's largest animal welfare certification program, verifying the humane treatment of more than one billion animals globally each year across farms, zoos, and other facilities. The certification is offered to enterprises in the agricultural and animal care industries that seek third-party verification of humane animal treatment standards.
Quantifiable outcome
- Transported over 300 shelter animals to safety during LA wildfires
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use American Humane
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
American Humane technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
American Humane partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Spike WineminorSpike Wine, a premium California Cabernet Sauvignon brand inspired by the human-animal bond and pet adoption awareness, pledged to donate 50% of all website sales through spike-wine.com to the end of 2026 with a goal of raising $25,000 to support American Humane's animal welfare mission.
- Wings of RescuecorePartnered with American Humane during LA wildfire response to coordinate animal rescue and transport, helping evacuate shelter animals to safety in other states.
- Paws For Life K9 RescuecoreCollaborated with American Humane during LA wildfire response to support animal welfare checks, shelter support, and rescue operations for displaced animals.
- Red CrosscorePartnered with American Humane during LA wildfire response to coordinate animal welfare checks, shelter support, and wellness clinics for evacuees and their pets.
- PEDIGREE FoundationminorDonor providing financial support for American Humane's LA wildfire animal rescue and relief efforts, contributing to pet food, supplies, and emergency response operations.
- Hill's Pet NutritionminorDonor providing pet food and nutritional support for American Humane's LA wildfire animal rescue and relief efforts for displaced pets and affected communities.
- MarsminorCorporate donor supporting American Humane's LA wildfire response with financial contributions for animal rescue, veterinary care, and supply distribution.
- ZoetisminorCorporate donor providing veterinary pharmaceutical support for American Humane's LA wildfire animal rescue and relief efforts, helping provide care to displaced pets.
- Cat's Pride / Oil-Dri Corporation of AmericacoreCat's Pride launched its Go Big or Go Home campaign partnering with American Humane Society's Second Chance Grants program, which provides financial support for life-saving animal care at shelters. For every Cat's Pride litter purchase, one pound of litter is donated to a shelter in need with a goal of donating one million pounds of cat litter nationwide.
- Ferris Animal ServicesminorCollaborated on a months-long rescue mission to rescue more than 125 dogs from inhumane hoarding conditions in Ellis County, Texas. Ferris Animal Services led the local rescue effort with support from national organizations.
- Flying B Animal Rescue & SanctuaryminorPartnered with American Humane and RedRover on a months-long rescue mission to rescue more than 125 dogs from inhumane hoarding conditions in Ellis County, Texas. Flying B Animal Rescue & Sanctuary led the rescue effort.
- RedRoverminorNational animal welfare organization that assisted with the rescue of more than 125 dogs from hoarding conditions in Texas, providing expertise and resources alongside American Humane.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
American Humane competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): One of the oldest and largest US animal welfare nonprofits. Competes directly with American Humane for donor dollars, public visibility, and cruelty-prevention/rescue mandates, operating shelters, advocacy, and rescue programs nationwide.
- Best Friends Animal Society: Leading US no-kill animal welfare nonprofit operating sanctuaries and shelter partnerships nationwide. Competes with American Humane for shelter grants, corporate sponsorships, and rescue operation visibility.
- World Animal Protection: International animal welfare nonprofit with disaster response, advocacy, and corporate engagement programs. Comparable in mission and global scope to American Humane, particularly in disaster relief and corporate partnership models.
- Animal Welfare Institute: Long-established US nonprofit focused on animal welfare advocacy, research, and legislative work. Overlaps with American Humane in cruelty prevention policy advocacy and humane education programming.
- PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals): Major US-based animal rights advocacy organization. Overlaps with American Humane in cruelty prevention, public education campaigns, and corporate outreach, though PETA employs more confrontational advocacy tactics.
- The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): The largest US animal protection organization with overlapping advocacy, disaster response, and shelter support missions. Competes with American Humane for corporate partnerships, individual donations, and policy influence.
- RedRover: National animal welfare nonprofit that partners with American Humane on rescue operations (e.g., Texas hoarding case). Competes for the same corporate emergency-response donors and shelter grant funding.
- Global Animal Partnership (Step 5 / Certified Animal Welfare programs): Animal welfare certification program operating across the supply chain. Directly competes with American Humane Certified for farm, ranch, and retailer certification contracts on welfare standards.
- A Greener World (Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW): Operating multiple farm sustainability and animal welfare certifications. Directly competes with American Humane Certified for producer certification fees and retailer-endorsed welfare labels.
Regional players
- Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA): The UK's flagship animal welfare charity with rescue, certification, and advocacy operations. Comparable organizational model to American Humane and global brand peer, though geographically focused on the UK.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
American Humane social profiles
Digital presenceAmerican Humane financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
American Humane leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
American Humane funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
American Humane M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about American Humane
What does American Humane do?
American Humane operates the world's largest animal welfare certification program, verifying the humane treatment of more than one billion animals globally each year across farms, zoos, and other facilities. The organization also conducts large-scale animal rescue and disaster relief operations, manages grant programs supporting shelter animal care, and runs national public education campaigns promoting animal welfare.
Is American Humane a public or private company?
American Humane is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was American Humane founded?
American Humane was founded in 1915. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is American Humane based?
American Humane is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
Who are American Humane's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), Best Friends Animal Society, World Animal Protection, Animal Welfare Institute, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), RedRover, Global Animal Partnership (Step 5 / Certified Animal Welfare programs) and A Greener World (Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW). Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is listed as a regional player.
Does American Humane have an API?
No public API is recorded for American Humane.
What industry is American Humane in?
American Humane's product category is Animal Welfare Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFALAMAE, Animal Welfare Certification Services, with a secondary code of AFAEALAC, Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 8300.