Humane Society of The United States

The HSUS works with consumers, corporations and policymakers to bring protect animals.     The HSUS also conducts undercover investigations, produces videos and conducts research. The videos were viewed more than 4 million times online. The HSUS investigated animal abuses at a veal slaughter plant in Vermont, leading authorities to close the plant and launch a criminal investigation. The HSUS also investigated a chimpanzee research laboratory in Louisiana and researched the availability of horrific animal “crush” videos and released a report before the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case challenging a federal animal cruelty depictions law.     The HSUS’ Factory Farming Campaign secured 100 commitments by corporations (including Wendy’s, Red Robin, PF Chang’s and Au Bon Pain) and educational institutions in 2009 to improve animal welfare purchasing policies. The HSUS also worked for a new law in California that protects 18 million dairy cows from cruel tail docking, new legislation in Maine and Michigan to phase out extreme confinement housing systems, 5, shareholder resolutions to improve conditions for farm animals, and litigation to stop pollution from factory farms in California and New York.     The HSUS’ Stop Puppy Mills Campaign rescued more than 3,000 animals in 2009 from mass dog breeding facilities, enacted 10 new laws to help improve conditions in puppy mills, and worked with 461 pet stores that pledged not to sell puppies. A class action lawsuit against a puppy mill dealer resulted in the bankruptcy and closure of the facility. The HSUS joined with hundreds of former Petland customers to file the largest ever class action lawsuit challenging the sale of puppy mill dogs to unsuspecting consumers in more than 40 states.     The HSUS’ Animal Cruelty and Fighting Campaign works to end staged animal fights. In 2009, The HSUS launched a national animal fighting tip line; distributed cash rewards for information leading to arrests for violations of animal fighting laws, educated more than 3,000 at-risk youth through our End Dogfighting program; worked with NFL quarterback and former dogfighter Michael Vick to tell children in urban communities about the cruelty and dead-end path of dogfighting; partnered with agencies to rescue 5,700 fighting dogs, roosters and hens; trained 1,500 law enforcement officials, 300 prosecutors and 100 judges in animal cruelty and fighting cases; and assisted law enforcement in hundreds of animal fighting cases, including the largest dogfighting raid in U.S. history.     The HSUS’ Stop Wildlife Abuse Campaign seeks to end the most egregious abuse of wildlife. In 2009, The HSUS supplied a legal analysis that led to an import ban of sport-hunted polar bear trophies. HSUS attorneys won a federal court order striking down a role that allowed trophy hunting of endangered species in captive hunting operations. Additionally, a coalition of wolf advocated led by The HSUS reached a settlement to restore protections for wolves in the Great Lakes region. The HSUS also worked with state wildlife agencies to offer rewards for arrests and convictions of wildlife poachers.     The HSUS’ Fur Free campaign works with retailers and designers to encourage them to go fur free. In 2009, designer Andrew Marc and retailer Lord & Taylor agreed to phase out all use of raccoon dog fur and to reform their garment labeling practices. A court ruling cleared the way for an HSUS lawsuit accusing several large retailers of engaging in false advertising and mislabeling of fur garments. Additionally, 20 fashion design schools featured HSUS fur-free presentations.     The Faith Outreach program seeks to engage people and institutions of faith. The program assisted more than 300 churches and religious groups to incorporate animal protection themes.

The HSUS rescued more than 12,000 animals from disasters, puppy mills, animal fighting operations, animal hoarders. In the field, in the courtroom and in the halls of Congress, The HSUS, along with millions of supporters, pressed forward toward a humane society.

The HSUS communicates with our supporters by phone, letter, email, online, and on social networks. The HSUS has over 345,000 supporters on Facebook and updates its supporters via Twitter. The HSUS revamped its website in 2009. The HSUS’ president writes a daily blog about animal issues and the activities of The HSUS. The Public Relations department works to inform the public and about animal protection. The HSUS distributed more than 600 press releases to journalists, conducted interviews with news outlets, distributed letters to the editor and opinion editorials, placed advertisements and kept the public informed through our website. These efforts generated more than 27,000 news stories about The HSUS and its work, and an average 764,515 unique visitors per month to humanesociety.org. More than 30,000 media outlets were provided with pet adoption advertising by the Shelter Pet Project, launched by The HSUS, Maddie’s Fund and the Ad Council. The HSUS hosts training programs for animal welfare professionals, including the world’s largest conference in the field. In 2009, The HSUS reached 2,248 shelter professionals, volunteers and rescue groups. The HSUS also hosts conferences and events for animal advocates. More than 4,700 people participated in the advocacy training programs. The HSUS Hollywood Office produces the annual Genesis Awards, which honors artists, writers, and other in entertainment and the media who have raised awareness of animal protection issues. The HSUS’ Animal Content in Entertainment program encourages the inclusion of animal issues in non-fiction and narrative entertainment media. The HSUS works with celebrities to reach the public on issues impacting animals. The Publications department creates print and electronic magazines, brochures, advertisements, reports and other documents. More than 450,000 people receive The HSUS’ bi-monthly All Animals magazine. More than 12,000 shelters, rescue groups and animal service agencies subscribe to Animal Sheltering magazine and its companion e-newsletter.

The HSUS deployed its Animal Rescue Team all over the nation to help animals in distress, working with other animal welfare groups and all levels of law enforcement officials on more than 40 rescue missions in 2009, rescuing more than 10,000 animals. The HSUS employs state directors in 36 states across the country. These staff representatives advance protection at their state capitols, network with grassroots advocates, assist local shelters and help with HSUS field rescue work. In Florida, the HSUS worked with state officials and developers to save 1,800 tortoises from being buried alive on construction sites. In California we funded care for rescued dogs to aid in anti-poaching efforts.