American Humane

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.

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

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

• Animal welfare certification
• Humane animal treatment
• Animal rescue services
• Disaster response animals
• Humane education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core 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

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Spike WineminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 June 2026Spike 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 RescuecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 January 2025Partnered 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 RescuecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 January 2025Collaborated with American Humane during LA wildfire response to support animal welfare checks, shelter support, and rescue operations for displaced animals.
• Red CrosscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 January 2025Partnered with American Humane during LA wildfire response to coordinate animal welfare checks, shelter support, and wellness clinics for evacuees and their pets.
• PEDIGREE FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 January 2025Donor 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 NutritionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 January 2025Donor providing pet food and nutritional support for American Humane's LA wildfire animal rescue and relief efforts for displaced pets and affected communities.
• MarsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 January 2025Corporate donor supporting American Humane's LA wildfire response with financial contributions for animal rescue, veterinary care, and supply distribution.
• ZoetisminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 January 2025Corporate 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 AmericacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCat'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 ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated 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 & SanctuaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered 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.
• RedRoverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/americanhumane
• Facebookfacebook.com/americanhumane

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Humane