animals & society institute

What animals & society institute does

Animals & Society Institute (ASI) was a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institute dedicated to advancing the interdisciplinary field of Human-Animal Studies (HAS). Founded in 1983 as PSYeta and formally established as ASI in 2005 through a merger, the organization operated for 40 years from Washington Grove, Maryland with a small staff (1–10 employees) and no disclosed revenue. Its core offerings were academic infrastructure: three peer-reviewed journals (Society & Animals, est. 1993; Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, est. 1998; Sloth, for undergraduates), a fourth journal launched in 2025 (Animal History), and a Brill-published book series that produced 27 monographs since 2005. ASI also developed the only published therapeutic interventions for animal maltreatment offenders — AniCare Child (2014) and AniCare Adult (2016) — and the BARK psychoeducational diversion program, both trademarked and protected by registered IP.

Revenue mechanics were diversified across licensing/royalties from academic publishers (Brill, Taylor & Francis, University of California Press), fees from training workshops (550 clinicians trained across 50+ events), a membership program, and presumed grant/donation contributions. The go-to-market was community-led: ASI engaged the HAS academic ecosystem through a monthly colloquium series co-sponsored with the American Sociological Association, a graduate Summer Institute hosted since 2006, a monthly HAS Report newsletter, and an international HAS Development Program spanning Italy, Austria, Greece, India, South Africa, and Portugal. No proprietary technology platform, AI capabilities, or commercial SaaS product existed; ASI's defensible assets were its 40-year pioneer brand, editorial IP, and scholar network.

ASI is permanently closed as of January 2026. All programs have been rehomed to trusted partner institutions — University of Sheffield (Society & Animals), Tufts University (JAAWS), Canisius University (Sloth), University of California Press/University of Dayton (Animal History), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (HAS Report and Summer Institute), University of Tennessee (BARK), Carroll College (Defining HAS Video Series), and Culture & Animals Foundation (Colloquium co-sponsorship). The Brill book series continues under its original editorial team.

Name

animals & society institute

Legal name

Animals & Society Institute

Website

https://animalsandsociety.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Animals & Society Institute was a 40-year nonprofit research institute that built the interdisciplinary field of Human-Animal Studies, publishing flagship journals, a 27-monograph book series, and the only published therapeutic interventions for animal maltreatment offenders. It permanently closed in January 2026, rehoming all programs to university partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human-Animal Studies Research

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Cruelty Prevention, Investigation & Humane Law Enforcement (BPAGAIAG)

Keywords

• Human-animal studies
• Academic journal publishing
• Animal welfare research
• Therapeutic intervention programs
• Professional clinical training

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington Grove

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Journal Management: Managed academic journals in the Human-Animal Studies field, distributed through academic publishers including Brill and Taylor & Francis.
2. Book Series: Published the Brill Human-Animal Studies Book Series with 27 monographs as of 2024.
3. Training & Workshops: Conducted workshops and training for clinicians on animal abuse identification, assessment, and treatment. Trained 550 clinicians across 50+ workshops.
4. Membership Program: Offered varying levels of membership providing additional resources to support work in Human-Animal Studies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Animals & Society Institute advanced interdisciplinary Human-Animal Studies through peer-reviewed journals, scholarly monographs, academic education, policy research, professional training, and therapeutic interventions for animal maltreatment. Its programs were distributed with universities and academic publishers and served an international community of researchers, students, clinicians, policymakers, and advocates. The institute permanently closed in January 2026, with its programs transferred to partner organizations.

Product overview

Animals & Society Institute (ASI) is a non-profit research institute dedicated to advancing the interdisciplinary field of Human-Animal Studies. The organization offers a portfolio of peer-reviewed journals (Society & Animals, JAAWS, Sloth, and Animal History), a Brill-published book series (27 monographs), therapeutic intervention programs (AniCare Child/Adult, BARK), educational programs (Summer Institute, HAS Report), awareness initiatives (HARAWeek), policy papers (Digital Archive), and content series (colloquiums, author interviews, video series). The organization is permanently closed as of January 2026, with programs being rehomed to partner institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Society & Animals Journal A peer-reviewed Human-Animal Studies journal established in 1993, published by Brill, producing eight issues annually for interdisciplinary scholarship.
• Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science (JAAWS) A peer-reviewed journal established in 1998 covering animal-welfare science for veterinarians, scientists, and public policymakers.
• Sloth: A Journal of Emerging Voices in Human-Animal Studies An academic journal for undergraduates and recent graduates to publish papers, book and film reviews, and other academic and artistic work in Human-Animal Studies.
• Animal History Journal An interdisciplinary history journal launched in 2025 by ASI and published by University of California Press.
• Human-Animal Studies Book Series A Brill-published scholarly monograph series managed by ASI, producing 27 monographs on human-animal relations globally since 2005.
• AniCare Intervention Programs Published therapeutic interventions for juveniles and adults who abuse animals, described as the only published interventions of their kind.
• BARK: Behavior, Accountability, Responsibility, and Knowledge A group-based psychoeducational diversion program for adults who have abused animals, based on the AniCare Adult intervention and focused on accountability, empathy, and interpersonal skills.
• Animal Abuse Intervention Training Workshops In-person and webinar-based training for clinicians on animal-abuse identification, assessment, and treatment.
• Human-Animal Studies Membership Program A tiered membership program providing resources for people working in Human-Animal Studies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 550 clinicians trained in animal abuse intervention
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sheffield Animal Studies Research Centre, University of SheffieldcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Took over management of Society & Animals: Journal of Human-Animal Studies following ASI closure. The journal, established in 1993, produces eight issues per year.
• Center for Animals and Public Policy, Tufts UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Took over management of Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science (est. 1998), a leading peer-reviewed journal on animal welfare science.
• Anthrozoology Program, Canisius UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Took over management of Sloth: A Journal of Emerging Voices in Human-Animal Studies, providing publication venue for undergraduates and recent graduates.
• University of California PresscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Continues to publish Animal History journal, launched in 2025. Management through Department of History at University of Dayton.
• Brill PublishingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Long-term partner for Society & Animals journal and Human-Animal Studies Book Series (27 monographs published since 2005).
• Center for Advanced Study, University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaigncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Now hosts HAS Report (monthly newsletter) and Human-Animal Studies Summer Institute for graduate students.
• Center for Veterinary Social Work, University of TennesseecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Took over BARK intervention program for animal maltreatment offenders. Will provide self-directed web-based format for court-ordered individuals.
• Animals & Society Section, American Sociological AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Co-sponsored monthly Animals & Society Colloquium Series since 2021, highlighting emerging human-animal relationship scholars.
• Culture & Animals FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Now co-sponsors Animals & Society Colloquium Series and owns discontinued Animals' Agenda magazine, which will be digitized.
• Anthrozoology Department, Carroll CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Now hosts the Defining Human-Animal Studies Video Series featuring scholars defining terminology in their fields.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): The oldest animal welfare organization in the US, focused on preventing animal cruelty through direct rescue, veterinary care, and policy advocacy. Broadly comparable to ASI's cruelty-prevention mission but at much larger operational scale.
• Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF): A nonprofit that uses the legal system to advance animal welfare through litigation, legislation, and education. Comparable to ASI on the policy/legal advocacy dimension of animal welfare work.
• Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA): The UK's leading animal welfare charity focused on cruelty prevention, rescue, and policy reform. Comparable to ASI's cruelty-prevention and educational mission, with similar academic-style policy publications.
• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): The nation's largest animal welfare organization with a broad portfolio spanning rescue, advocacy, and policy. Overlaps with ASI on animal cruelty prevention and policy research, but operates at significantly larger scale.
• People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): The largest animal rights organization globally, with roots in the same 1980s animal-protection movement from which ASI's founder emerged. Comparable as an animal welfare/rights nonprofit advocating through research, education, and policy.

Direct peers

• Animal Welfare Institute: A nonprofit policy and advocacy organization dedicated to reducing animal suffering through research, publications, and legislative reform. Comparable to ASI as an academic-style animal welfare nonprofit producing policy research and educational resources.
• Culture & Animals Foundation: A nonprofit foundation supporting scholarship and creative work on animal welfare and human-animal relationships. Directly comparable as a small animal-welfare nonprofit that co-sponsors ASI's Animals & Society Colloquium Series and now owns the discontinued Animals' Agenda magazine.
• Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI): A nonprofit that funds and disseminates research on the health benefits of companion animals. Comparable to ASI's research-dissemination mission in the human-animal studies space, with a similar focus on academic and clinical audiences.

Others

• Maddie's Fund: A family foundation that funds animal welfare research, shelter medicine, and pet adoption programs. Comparable as an animal welfare grant-making foundation with academic research funding, though focused on shelter/companion animal outcomes.

Emerging players

• Anthony Foundation (formerly Institute for the Study of Animal Issues): A smaller foundation funding scholarship on human-animal relationships and animal welfare. Comparable to ASI's grant-making and academic-publication model within the HAS ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@animalsandsocietyasa9487
• Facebookfacebook.com/groups/177215710250761
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/animals-and-society-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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