The Anti-Cruelty Society
The Anti-Cruelty Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, open-admission humane society founded in 1899 in Chicago that provides animal adoption, low-cost spay/neuter and wellness care, foster services, abuse investigation, and community education programs to pet owners and families across the Chicago area.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1899
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Anti-Cruelty Society does
The Anti-Cruelty Society is a private, independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal welfare organization founded in 1899 and headquartered in Chicago. It operates as an open-admission humane society providing animal adoption, low-cost spay/neuter and wellness veterinary care, foster care, animal abuse investigation and enforcement, and a growing suite of community support and education programs. Reported annual operational outcomes include 4,828 animals placed through adoption, 722,945 meals provided to animals, 1,349 animals in foster care, and 50,000+ volunteer hours contributed by 650+ volunteers, supported by a paid staff of 51-100.
The organization runs multiple physical sites — a headquarters and adoption center at 157 W. Grand Ave., an Education & Events Center at 169 W. Grand Ave., a downtown Spay/Neuter and Care Clinic, and a newly opened Pet Resource Center at 519 E. 103rd St. in the Greater Roseland neighborhood — and extends reach through mobile Dog Wellness Fairs and PetSmart adoption events. Its underlying technology stack is light: Acuity Scheduling for program registration, Zoom for the virtual pet loss support group, GoFundMe for fundraisers, an Amazon Wish List for in-kind donations, and integration with Petco Love Lost's facial-recognition database for lost-pet reunification. There is no proprietary technology product.
Revenue is generated from a mix of donations and charitable contributions (including the Open Door Monthly Giving program and planned giving), adoption fees, low-cost clinic services, small program fees ($5-$8 per participant), fundraising events, and corporate sponsorship from a roster of roughly ten pet industry and regional sponsors (Fetch Pet Insurance, PetSmart, VCA Hospitals, Hills Science Diet, Berman Subaru, Bissell, Caerus Foundation, Banfield Foundation, Tito's Handmade Vodka). The Society's customer base is the general public — pet owners, prospective adopters, families, and community members — with no enterprise or contract revenue concentration.
The Anti-Cruelty Society firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Anti-Cruelty Society
- Legal name
- The Anti-Cruelty Society
- Website
- https://anticruelty.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1899
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Anti-Cruelty Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, open-admission humane society founded in 1899 in Chicago that provides animal adoption, low-cost spay/neuter and wellness care, foster services, abuse investigation, and community education programs to pet owners and families across the Chicago area.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Anti-Cruelty Society industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Animal Welfare Services
- NAICS
- Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291), Veterinary Services (54194), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Animal Cruelty Prevention, Investigation & Humane Law Enforcement (BPAGAIAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB), Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC), Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA), Education & Community Outreach (Responsible Pet Ownership) (BPAGAIAK)
Keywords
Where The Anti-Cruelty Society is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
The Anti-Cruelty Society business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: The organization is a private, independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on the generosity of donors and supporters. Includes monthly giving program (Open Door Monthly Giving), planned giving and bequests, and one-time donations.
- Adoption Fees: Fees collected from animal adoptions, with periodic fee waivers for special promotions like Adopt with Pride and PetSmart Charities adoption events.
- Clinic Services: Low-cost spay/neuter and wellness care services provided at the downtown clinic location, including end of life services.
- Program Fees: Fees for educational and family programs such as Kids Who Care ($8 per person) and Crafting for Critters ($5 per person).
- Fundraising Events: Revenue from events like Dog Days of Summer fundraiser ($30 tickets), Fuzzy Friends Yoga, and Bark in the Park.
- Corporate Sponsorship: Support from corporate sponsors including Fetch Pet Insurance, PetSmart, VCA Hospitals, Hills Science Diet, Berman Subaru, Bissell, Cat's Pride, and others.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Per event | Kids Who Care family program - $8 per person |
| Unit Pricing | Per event | Crafting for Critters family program - $5 per person |
| Unit Pricing | Per event | Dog Days of Summer fundraiser - $30 per ticket |
| Unit Pricing | Per event | Fuzzy Friends Yoga fundraiser |
| Freemium | Monthly | Virtual Pet Loss Support Group - Free |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels11 records
The Anti-Cruelty Society product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Anti-Cruelty Society operates a comprehensive open-admission animal shelter and welfare organization offering animal adoption, low-cost spay/neuter and wellness veterinary services, foster care, free community Dog Wellness Fairs, and a Pet Resource Center providing supplies, counseling, and financial assistance. The organization supplements core services with family education programs (Kids Who Care, Crafting for Critters), a Virtual Pet Loss Support Group, Lost & Found pet services, and a Wild Tunes music enrichment initiative for shelter animals.
Product overview
The Anti-Cruelty Society is Chicago's oldest and most comprehensive open admission animal shelter (founded 1899), offering a multi-faceted portfolio of animal welfare services organized around three pillars: Support, Shelter, and Advocate. Core offerings include animal adoption programs, low-cost spay/neuter and wellness clinic services, foster care, and dog wellness fairs providing free veterinary care. The organization operates a Pet Resource Center in Greater Roseland offering pet supplies, counseling, and transport services. Education and enrichment programs include Kids Who Care, Crafting for Critters, and Wild Tunes music enrichment. Support services feature a Virtual Pet Loss Support Group and Lost & Found Pet services integrated with Petco Love Lost. The society also publishes educational resources through its Pet Care Library covering over 80 topics on animal care.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Pet Resource Center: A welcoming, community-based space designed to support people and their pets with resources they need to stay together.
Products and services
- Animal Adoption Comprehensive animal adoption program connecting homeless pets with forever families through available animal listings, adoption events at PetSmart locations via the Adopt Joy program, and adoption promotion campaigns.
- Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic Low-cost veterinary clinic offering spay/neuter services, wellness care, and end of life services for pets in the Chicago area at the downtown clinic location.
- Dog Wellness Fairs
Quantifiable outcome
- 4,828 animals placed through adoption
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Anti-Cruelty Society
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles6 records
The Anti-Cruelty Society technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
The Anti-Cruelty Society partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- PetSmartcorePetSmart hosts adoption events through PetSmart Charities' Adopt Joy program at multiple Chicago locations including Skokie and South Loop. Animals from Anti-Cruelty are available for adoption at PetSmart stores.
- Fetch Pet InsuranceminorCorporate sponsor supporting Anti-Cruelty's mission and programs.
- VCA HospitalscoreCorporate sponsor and partner in pet wellness services, including hosting educational events like heartworm prevention workshops.
- Hills Science DietminorCorporate sponsor providing pet food support for animals in Anti-Cruelty's care.
- Berman SubaruminorCorporate sponsor supporting Anti-Cruelty's programs.
- Cook County Animal and Rabies ControlcorePartner in Dog Wellness Fairs providing free canine veterinary services throughout Chicago. Assists with animal welfare enforcement.
- Petco Love LostcoreNational lost and found pet database partnership using facial recognition technology to help reunite lost pets with owners.
- Wild TunesminorEnrichment initiative collaboration where musicians play live music for shelter animals daily 1-2pm. Non-profit dedicated to soothing shelter animals through live music.
- Chicago Animal Care and ControlcoreAuthorized holding facility for stray dogs within Chicago city limits. Handles stray dog intake per municipal code.
- Animal Welfare LeaguecorePartner shelter handling stray dogs and animal intake. Location at 6224 S. Wabash, Chicago.
- Chicagoland Humane CoalitioncoreCoalition of Chicago area animal welfare organizations working together on pet-centric concerns and community needs during emergencies.
- Far South Chicago CoalitionminorCommunity partner supporting Dog Wellness Fairs in Chicago's South Side.
- Phalanx Family ServicesminorCommunity partner hosting Dog Wellness Fair events.
- Breakthrough FamilyPlexminorCommunity partner supporting Dog Wellness Fair events.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Anti-Cruelty Society competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- PAWS Chicago: Large Chicago-based no-kill animal shelter and humane society offering adoption, veterinary, and community education services; the most direct local peer to Anti-Cruelty in both mission and operating model.
- Animal Welfare League (Chicago): Chicago-area animal welfare organization and direct partner with Anti-Cruelty on stray dog intake; operates a comparable shelter, adoption, and veterinary clinic model in the same geography.
- Chicago Animal Care and Control: Municipal open-admission animal shelter serving Chicago; directly comparable in stray animal intake, adoption services, and field services, and a referral/transfer partner for Anti-Cruelty.
Broad incumbents
- Humane Society of the United States: National umbrella animal welfare advocacy organization; comparable on cruelty prevention, advocacy, and policy work, but operates across the country at a far broader scale and no single-city shelter footprint.
- ASPCA: National animal welfare organization running adoption, veterinary, and cruelty investigation programs; closely aligned mission with Anti-Cruelty but with national scope and significantly larger footprint.
- Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill movement leader running adoption, sheltering, and cruelty prevention programs; comparable in advocacy mission and shelter services though operates nationally rather than in a single city.
Regional players
- Wisconsin Humane Society: Midwest humane society running adoption, low-cost veterinary, and behavior programs; very similar operating model to Anti-Cruelty but primarily serves the Milwaukee region.
- Michigan Humane: Animal welfare organization providing adoption, low-cost spay/neuter, cruelty investigation, and humane education in Michigan; overlaps substantially with Anti-Cruelty's three pillars (Support, Shelter, Advocate).
- Evanston Animal Care and Control: Municipal open-admission shelter in the Chicago metro area; smaller-scale regional peer offering adoption, cruelty response, and licensing services in nearby Evanston.
Others
- PetSmart Charities: Animal welfare grant-making and adoption partner; current Anti-Cruelty partner through PetSmart Adopt Joy events and a peer in distributing adoption, fostering, and community resources.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Anti-Cruelty Society social profiles
Digital presenceThe Anti-Cruelty Society financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Anti-Cruelty Society leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Anti-Cruelty Society funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Anti-Cruelty Society 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 The Anti-Cruelty Society
What does The Anti-Cruelty Society do?
The Anti-Cruelty Society operates a comprehensive open-admission animal shelter and welfare organization offering animal adoption, low-cost spay/neuter and wellness veterinary services, foster care, free community Dog Wellness Fairs, and a Pet Resource Center providing supplies, counseling, and financial assistance. The organization supplements core services with family education programs (Kids Who Care, Crafting for Critters), a Virtual Pet Loss Support Group, Lost & Found pet services, and a Wild Tunes music enrichment initiative for shelter animals.
Is The Anti-Cruelty Society a public or private company?
The Anti-Cruelty Society is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Anti-Cruelty Society founded?
The Anti-Cruelty Society was founded in 1899. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is The Anti-Cruelty Society based?
The Anti-Cruelty Society is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Anti-Cruelty Society make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are adoption Fees, clinic Services, program Fees, fundraising Events and corporate Sponsorship.
Who are The Anti-Cruelty Society's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are PAWS Chicago, Animal Welfare League (Chicago) and Chicago Animal Care and Control. Broad incumbents are Humane Society of the United States, ASPCA and Best Friends Animal Society. Regional players are Wisconsin Humane Society, Michigan Humane and Evanston Animal Care and Control. PetSmart Charities is listed as an others.
Does The Anti-Cruelty Society have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Anti-Cruelty Society.
What industry is The Anti-Cruelty Society in?
The Anti-Cruelty Society's product category is Animal Welfare Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAIAG, Animal Cruelty Prevention, Investigation & Humane Law Enforcement, with a secondary code of AFAEALAB, Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations. Its NAICS code is 81291 and its SIC code is 8300.