American Humane Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FOUNDED IN 1877, AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION, DBA AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY (AMERICAN HUMANE) IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THE SAFETY, WELFARE AND WELL-BEING OF ANIMALS. OUR LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS ARE FIRST TO SERVE IN PROMOTING AND NURTURING THE BONDS BETWEEN ANIMALS AND HUMANS.
- Income
- $36.6 million
- Spending
- $32.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 2.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 65%
- Employees
- 127
- Volunteers
- 500
- Highest pay
- $819,296, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 33% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 30% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (6)
- $7.7 million spent. AMERICAN HUMANE CERTIFIED NO ANIMALS WERE HARMEDAMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY'S "NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED" CERTIFICATION PROGRAM WAS AND IS THE FIRST TO PROTECT ANIMALS IN FILM AND TELEVISION, SAFEGUARDING MILLIONS OF ANIMALS ON TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PRODUCTIONS WORLDWIDE FOR MORE THAN 80 YEARS. SINCE 1940, OUR PROGRAM HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF ANIMAL WELFARE IN FILMED ENTERTAINMENT. WE ARE THE LEADING INDUSTRY-SANCTIONED ORGANIZATION WITH OVERSIGHT OF ANIMALS IN FILMED PRODUCTION AND THE SOLE ENTITY TO AWARD THE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED END-CREDIT CERTIFICATION TO PRODUCTIONS THAT MEET OUR RIGOROUS STANDARD OF CARE.THE PURPOSE OF THE NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IS TO HELP ENSURE THAT FILM PRODUCTIONS MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF OUR "NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED" KEEPING ANIMALS SAFE ON SETS, WHICH ALSO RESULTS IN GREATER SAFETY FOR HUMAN ACTORS. THE PROGRAM FUNDAMENTALLY: WORKS TO PROTECT ANIMALS USED IN FILM, TELEVISION AND COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION, NO MATTER WHERE FILMING OCCURS, DURING THE PRODUCTION AND ON SET. EDUCATES AND INFORMS FILM INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF ANIMAL ACTORS IN THE GLOBAL MEDIA COMMUNITY. VERIFIES AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY'S GUIDELINES FOR THE SAFE USE OF ANIMALS IN FILMED MEDIA WITH SPECIALLY TRAINED CERTIFIED ANIMAL SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES, MANY OF WHOM ARE VETERINARIANS.
- $4.5 million spent. HUMANE CONSERVATIONAMERICAN HUMANE CERTIFIED ZOOS AND AQUARIUMSIN THE FACE OF WHAT SCIENTISTS ARE CALLING A "SIXTH MASS EXTINCTION" WITH SPECIES DISAPPEARING AT AN UNPRECEDENTED RATE, ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS ARE PLAYING AN OUTSIZED ROLE IN PRESERVING THE VITAL WEB OF LIFE ON EARTH. TO ELEVATE STANDARDS AND SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON THOSE WHO TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEIR ANIMALS, AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY DEVELOPED THE FIRST-EVER INDEPENDENT, GLOBAL, AND SCIENCE-BASED HUMANE CERTIFICATION DEDICATED SOLELY TO HELPING ENSURE THE WELFARE AND HUMANE TREATMENT OF THE ANIMALS IN THE WORLD'S ZOOS, AQUARIUMS, AND CONSERVATION CENTERS. ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS ARE REGULARLY REVIEWED BY THE PROGRAM'S SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AN INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF ANIMAL SCIENCE EXPERTS, VETERINARIANS, AND ETHICISTS.FEWER THAN THREE PERCENT OF ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS WORLDWIDE ARE ACCREDITED OR CERTIFIED. WHILE INDUSTRY-AFFILIATED ASSOCIATIONS OFFER PROGRAMS FOR BROAD ACCREDITATION OF BUSINESS PRACTICES, AMERICAN HUMANE CERTIFIED IS THE ONLY INDEPENDENT, THIRD-PARTY CERTIFICATION EFFORT SOLELY DEVOTED TO THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS IN ZOOS, AQUARIUMS, AND OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS. THE AMERICAN HUMANE CERTIFIED PROGRAM OFFERS THREE LEVELS OF TRANSPARENT AND CREDIBLE ASSURANCE: UNIQUELY QUALIFIED, TRUSTED HUMANE ORGANIZATION: AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST CERTIFIER OF ANIMAL WELFARE, PROTECTING MORE THAN 1 BILLION ANIMALS AROUND THE GLOBE WITH THE MOST RECOGNIZED, CREDIBLE, AND RESPECTED HUMANE PROGRAMS. THESE INCLUDE THE WORLD'S LARGEST FARM ANIMAL WELFARE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AND THE HISTORIC "NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED" FILM CERTIFICATION. COMPREHENSIVE WELFARE CRITERIA DEVELOPED BY TOP EXPERTS: THE PROGRAM IS BUILT ON COMPREHENSIVE WELFARE CRITERIA INFORMED BY AN UNMATCHED, INDEPENDENT SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE MADE UP OF HIGHLY RESPECTED EXPERTS IN ANIMAL WELFARE, ANIMAL SCIENCE, BEHAVIOR, AND ANIMAL ETHICS. INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION: IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE RIGOROUS WELFARE MEASURES ARE VERIFIED BY INDEPENDENT AUDITORS WITH EXTENSIVE ZOOLOGICAL EXPERTISE IN ANIMAL SCIENCE AND WELFARE.WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE FOLLOWING ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE REMARKABLE AND ENDANGERED ANIMALS WITH WHOM WE SHARE THE EARTH. HELPING PROTECT SPECIES IN ZOOLOGICAL SETTINGS WORLDWIDE: AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY ADVANCES THE WELFARE AND HUMANE TREATMENT OF NEARLY 500,000 ANIMALS AT 85 LEADING ZOOLOGICAL FACILITIES AROUND THE WORLD. FEWER THAN ONE PERCENT OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS HAVE EARNED OUR PRESTIGIOUS HUMANE CERTIFIED SEAL OF APPROVAL. GLOBAL EXPANSION: MAJOR INSTITUTIONS AROUND THE WORLD ARE LINING UP TO BECOME AMERICAN HUMANE CERTIFIED AND WE NOW CERTIFY MAJOR ZOOLOGICAL FACILITIES IN DOZENS OF COUNTRIES IN NORTH AMERICA, THE CARIBBEAN, EUROPE, ASIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST. AWARD-WINNING CONSERVATION FILMS LAUNCHED: TO COUNTER THE "SIXTH MASS EXTINCTION" NOW TAKING PLACE AND RALLY A NEW GENERATION OF ADVOCATES FOR THE PRESERVATION OF EARTH'S PRECIOUS ANIMALS, AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY HAS CREATED TWO DOCUMENTARY FILMS, "ESCAPE FROM EXTINCTION," NARRATED BY OSCAR-WINNING ACTRESS DAME HELEN MIRREN AND "ESCAPE FROM EXTINCTION: REWILDING," NARRATED BY OSCAR-WINNING ACTRESS MERYL STREEP. THE FILMS HAVE GALVANIZED ANIMAL LOVERS AROUND THE WORLD. RAISED PUBLIC AWARENESS FOR HUMANE CONSERVATION: MILLIONS OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REACHED THROUGH OUR EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS AND NATIONAL TV AND RADIO PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT THE VITAL ROLE OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS IN CONSERVATION. WOLFGANG KIESSLING INTERNATIONAL PRIZE FOR SPECIES CONSERVATIONHONORING THE HEROES OF GLOBAL ANIMAL CONSERVATIONAT AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY, WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE WORK TO PRESERVE EARTH'S SPECIES IS MORE CRITICAL THAN EVER. EQUALLY IMPORTANT ARE THE SCIENTISTS, RESEARCHERS, AND ADVOCATES DEDICATING THEIR LIVES TO CONSERVATION.TO HONOR THOSE MAKING SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS IN CONSERVATION THEORY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH, AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY LAUNCHED THE WOLFGANG KIESSLING INTERNATIONAL PRIZE FOR SPECIES CONSERVATION IN 2022.THIS PRESTIGIOUS ANNUAL AWARD CELEBRATES CONSERVATIONISTS WHO HAVE MADE MEASURABLE IMPACTS ON SPECIES CONSERVATION. IT IS NAMED AFTER WOLFGANG F. KIESSLING, FOUNDER OF LORO PARQUE AND A GLOBALLY RENOWNED LEADER IN CONSERVATION. FOLLOWING A RIGOROUS APPLICATION AND REVIEW PROCESS LED BY GLOBAL CONSERVATION EXPERTS, THE PRIZE IS AWARDED TO ONE OUTSTANDING CONSERVATIONIST.THE INAUGURAL 2022 RECIPIENT WAS PROF. JON PAUL RODRIGUEZ, CHAIR OF THE SPECIES SURVIVAL COMMISSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE. IN 2023, PROF. THEO PAGEL OF COLOGNE ZOO, GERMANY, RECEIVED THE PRIZE FOR HIS WORK ON SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES AND GUIDELINES FOR CONSERVATION EDUCATION AS PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS. HE ALSO CO-CHAIRED THE INTERNATIONAL REVERSE THE RED (RTR) INITIATIVE. IN 2024, DR. ARNAUD DESBIEZ RECEIVED THE PRIZE FOR HIS WORK TO FIND SOCIALLY INCLUSIVE SOLUTIONS TO BIODIVERSITY THREATS IN FOUR BRAZILIAN BIOMES: PANTANAL, CERRADO, ATLANTIC FOREST, AND THE AMAZON.WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE 2025 PRIZE WAS AWARDED TO DR. KATHLEEN DUDZINSKI, A PIONEERING MARINE MAMMALOGIST AND EXPERT IN DOLPHIN COMMUNICATION. A LEADING MARINE MAMMAL SCIENTIST WITH OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, HER COMPARATIVE RESEARCH BRIDGES CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PUBLIC EDUCATION, OFFERING DATA-DRIVEN INSIGHTS THAT SUPPORT ANIMAL WELFARE AND OCEAN ADVOCACY.AMERICAN HUMANE CERTIFIED ECOTOURISMAS MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WORLDWIDE SEEK TO CONNECT WITH EARTH'S WILDLIFE, GLOBAL HUMANE SOCIETY HAS IDENTIFIED A VITAL OPPORTUNITY TO LEVERAGE OUR ANIMAL WELFARE EXPERTISE BY CREATING A HUMANE TOURISM CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM ASSESSES AND CERTIFIES WILDLIFE RESERVES, LODGES, AND TOUR OPERATORS FOR THEIR HUMANE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS THEY MAY ENCOUNTER OR IMPACT, BUILT ON THE SAME FOUNDATION OF SCIENCE AND EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES FOR WHICH WE ARE RENOWNED.THE HUMANE TOURISM INITIATIVE IS GUIDED BY A SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMM
- $3.5 million spent. AMERICAN HUMANE CERTIFIED FARM PROGRAMAMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY BELIEVES PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THEIR FOOD PREFERENCE AND FIND HUMANELY RAISED DAIRY, MEAT, AND EGG PRODUCTS.THE AMERICAN HUMANE CERTIFIED FARM PROGRAM IS THE FIRST WELFARE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IN THE UNITED STATES TO HELP ENSURE THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF FARM ANIMALS. THE AMERICAN HUMANE CERTIFIED FARM PROGRAM IS THE OLDEST, LARGEST, AND FASTEST-GROWING AUDITING AND CERTIFICATION EFFORT IN THE COUNTRY. THE PURPOSE OF THIS VITAL PROGRAM IS TO HELP IMPROVE AND VERIFY THE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS ON FARMS AND RANCHES UTILIZING EVIDENCE AND SCIENCE-BASED WELFARE STANDARDS, AND TO EDUCATE CONSUMERS AND PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE AND BENEFITS OF THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF FARM ANIMALS.THIS PROGRAM CERTIFIES THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF MORE ANIMALS IN FOOD PRODUCTION THAN ANY OTHER AND HAS EXPANDED INTO SOUTH AMERICA. FARM ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS ARE FREQUENTLY REVIEWED BY THE PROGRAM'S SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AN INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF ANIMAL SCIENCE EXPERTS, VETERINARIANS, AND ETHICISTS. THIRD-PARTY AUDITS ARE CONDUCTED ANNUALLY BY INDEPENDENT AUDITORS, AND ARE BASED ON THE SCIENCE AND EVIDENCE-BASED AMERICAN HUMANE CERTIFIED STANDARDS. THE PROGRAM COVERS THOUSANDS OF FARMS AND RANCHES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD. THE AMERICAN HUMANE CERTIFIED SEAL IS NOW FOUND ON MANY PRODUCTS IN GROCERY STORES, INCLUDING DAIRY, CHICKEN, TURKEY, PORK, DUCKS, AND EGGS.
- $2.4 million spent. AMERICAN HUMANE RESCUEFOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY'S RESCUE TEAMS HAVE HELPED ANIMALS SUFFERING IN NATURAL DISASTERS AS WELL AS HUMAN-MADE CASES OF CRUELTY, NEGLECT, OR HOARDING. AMERICAN HUMANE RESCUE TEAMS SAVE, FEED, AND SHELTER ANIMALS IN CRISIS, AND PROVIDE LIFESAVING TIPS AND DISASTER PREPARATION TRAINING BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER DISASTERS. FIRST RESPONDERS TRAVEL THE NATION WITH A FLEET OF SPECIALLY EQUIPPED RESCUE VEHICLES.AMERICAN HUMANE RESCUE SERVES THE ANIMAL VICTIMS OF UNIMAGINABLE CRUELTY AND ABUSE. OUR EMERGENCY RESCUE TEAM COLLABORATES WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ON LARGE-SCALE ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS, INVOLVING EVERYTHING FROM HOARDING CASES TO PUPPY MILLS AND DOGFIGHTING OPERATIONS. WHENEVER AND WHEREVER TRAGEDY STRIKES, WHETHER A NATURAL DISASTER OR AN INCIDENT OF DEPLORABLE ABUSE, AMERICAN HUMANE RESCUE IS THERE FOR ANIMALS. THE PROGRAM'S PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE INTERVENTION FOR COMMUNITIES IN CRISIS AND TO BUILD MORE HUMANE COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE THROUGH TRAINING, GRANTS, SHELTER SUPPORT, AND HUMANE EDUCATION.IN JANUARY 2025, THE RESCUE TEAM DEPLOYED TO LOS ANGELES IN RESPONSE TO MASSIVE AND DEVASTATING WILDFIRES. IN ADDITION TO IN-FIELD RESCUE OPERATIONS, OUR TEAM TRANSPORTED MORE THAN 300 LONG-TERM SHELTER ANIMALS TO OTHER STATES, PROVIDED VETERINARY CARE TO MORE THAN 100 DISPLACED PETS IN SHELTERS AND THE COMMUNITY, AND DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN 10,000 POUNDS OF CAT AND DOG FOOD TO ANIMALS IN NEED.TRAINED MORE RESCUERS: AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY PROVIDED A SERIES OF FIRST RESPONDER RESCUE TRAININGS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. CLASS PARTICIPANTS RECEIVED HANDS-ON EDUCATION ABOUT DOG AND CAT BEHAVIOR AND PROPER HANDLING TECHNIQUES, HOW TO PREPARE THEIR PETS AND COMMUNITY FOR A DISASTER, AND ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF DEPLOYING AS AN AMERICAN HUMANE RESCUE FIRST RESPONDER.
- $2.3 million spent. AMERICAN HUMANE MILITARY WORKING DOG REUNIFICATIONAMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY IS COMMITTED TO HELPING AMERICA'S VETERANS AND RECOGNIZING THEIR HEROIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNITED STATES BOTH ON AND OFF THE BATTLEFIELD. AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY HAS WORKED WITH THE U.S. MILITARY FOR OVER A CENTURY: THE ANIMAL RESCUE PROGRAM WAS BORN ON THE BATTLEFIELDS OF WORLD WAR I EUROPE, WHERE, AT THE REQUEST OF THE U.S. SECRETARY OF WAR, VOLUNTEERS WITH AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY DEPLOYED TO RESCUE AND CARE FOR 68,000 WOUNDED WAR HORSES EACH MONTH.WE CONTINUE TO PROUDLY HONOR THIS LEGACY TODAY THROUGH OUR PROGRAM THAT REUNITES RETIRED MILITARY WORKING DOGS WITH THEIR FORMER HANDLERS. AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY RAISES FUNDS TO COVER THE COSTS OF TRANSPORTATION AND COORDINATES THE REUNIFICATION PROCESS. ADDITIONALLY, WE PROVIDE LIFETIME VETERINARY CARE FOR THE DOGS WE REUNITE WITH THEIR HANDLERS, SUPPORTING THEIR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS FOR YEARS TO COME.AMERICAN HUMANE PUPS4PATRIOTS PROGRAMAMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY HELPS PROVIDE LIFESAVING SERVICE DOGS TO VETERANS AND RETIRED FIRST RESPONDERS SUFFERING FROM POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS (PTS) AND/OR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI). RESEARCH SHOWS THAT SPECIALLY TRAINED SERVICE DOGS CAN REDUCE STRESS AND ANXIETY LEVELS, MITIGATE DEPRESSION, EASE SOCIAL REINTEGRATION, PROVIDE COMFORT AND RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN AFFECTED VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS. HOWEVER, MANY OBSTACLES OFTEN PREVENT THESE HEROES FROM GAINING ACCESS TO SERVICE DOGS. AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY BRIDGES A CRITICAL GAP OF CARE AND COMPANIONSHIP. PUPS4PATRIOTS DOGS ARE TRAINED ACCORDING TO AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY'S SERVICE DOG GUIDELINES AN APPROACH INFORMED BY A SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF VETERAN EXPERTS, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, SCIENTISTS, ANIMAL WELFARE SPECIALISTS, VETERINARIANS, DOG TRAINERS AND OTHER KEY ADVOCATES.
- $3.8 million spent. OTHERAMERICAN HUMANE HERO DOG AWARDS THE AMERICAN HUMANE HERO DOG AWARDS IS AN ANNUAL, NATIONWIDE COMPETITION THAT SEARCHES OUT AND RECOGNIZES AMERICA'S HERO DOGS OFTEN ORDINARY DOGS WHO DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS, WHETHER IT'S SAVING LIVES ON THE BATTLEFIELD, LENDING SIGHT OR HEARING TO A HUMAN COMPANION, OR HELPING PEOPLE ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS. DOGS ARE HONORED IN MULTIPLE CATEGORIES FOR THE HERO DOG AWARDS: LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDER DOGS THIS CATEGORY BROADLY INCLUDES DOGS THAT ARE CRITICAL TO FIRST RESPONDERS, THAT SAFEGUARD THE PUBLIC, AND THAT FIND THE MISSING AND VICTIMS OF DISASTERS. LAW ENFORCEMENT DOGS' ABILITY TO HELP PROTECT THEIR HUMAN HANDLERS, THWART LAWBREAKERS, AND FIND EVIDENCE MAKES THEM TRUE PARTNERS TO FIRST RESPONDERS. SCENT DETECTION DOGS CAN ACCURATELY DETECT A VARIETY OF TARGETS, INCLUDING CORRECTLY IDENTIFYING A MULTITUDE OF DISEASES AND FLORA AND FAUNA, AND ARE USED TO DETECT ILLICIT SUBSTANCES, DRUGS, FIRE ACCELERANTS, FIREARMS, OR EXPLOSIVES. SEARCH AND RESCUE DOGS ARE TRAINED TO FIND THE MISSING, FROM THOSE LOST IN THE WILDERNESS OR CITY TO VICTIMS OF ACCIDENTS AND NATURAL DISASTERS. SERVICE AND GUIDE/HEARING DOGS SERVICE DOGS ARE TRAINED TO PERFORM SPECIFIC TASKS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AS DEFINED BY THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA). THEY CAN BE TRAINED TO WORK WITH PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL MOBILITY NEEDS OR LIMITATIONS, OR PEOPLE WHO NEED ALERTS TO MEDICAL CONDITIONS. THEY CAN ALSO SERVE AS THE "EYES AND EARS" FOR THE BLIND AND/OR DEAF OR PERFORM TASKS FOR THOSE WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITIES SUCH AS POST TRAUMATIC STRESS OR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.THESE SPECIALLY TRAINED DOGS CAN EVEN HELP BY RETRIEVING OR MANIPULATING OBJECTS THAT ARE OUT OF THEIR PERSON'S REACH, ALERTING BYSTANDERS AND RETRIEVING HELP FOR THEIR HANDLER, LEADING WHILE AVOIDING DISTRACTIONS AND OBSTACLES, AND MANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TASKS AS NEEDED BY A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY. THESE HEROES NOT ONLY IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE WITH WHOM THEY WORK, BUT ALSO KEEP THEM SAFE EVERY DAY. THERAPY DOGS CREDENTIALED ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY (AAT) DOGS ARE PART OF A THERAPEUTIC PLAN TO AID WITH PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND COGNITIVE CHALLENGES FOR PERSONS OTHER THAN THE DOG'S OWNER/HANDLER. AAT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO HELP ENHANCE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN NEED SUCH AS CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ABUSE OR NEGLECT, PATIENTS UNDERGOING CHEMOTHERAPY OR OTHER DIFFICULT MEDICAL TREATMENTS, AND MILITARY VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO COPE WITH THE EFFECTS OF WARTIME MILITARY SERVICE. STUDIES HAVE FOUND THAT AAT LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE, REDUCES STRESS AND ENHANCES A PATIENT'S ABILITY TO ACHIEVE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLNESS. MILITARY DOGS MILITARY WORKING DOGS FIRST ENTERED THE SERVICE IN 1942 TO SERVE IN THE ARMY'S K-9 CORPS. TODAY, THESE DOGS ARE STILL PLAYING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN SEARCHING FOR EXPLOSIVES AND SEIZING ENEMIES. MILITARY WORKING DOGS HAVE BEEN USED BY THE U.S. ARMED FORCES SINCE WORLD WAR I. IN WORLD WAR II, 436 SCOUT DOGS WALKED COMBAT PATROLS OVERSEAS, OFTEN DETECTING THE ENEMY AT 1,000 YARDS, LONG BEFORE THE ENEMY BECAME AWARE OF THEM. DOGS CONTINUED TO SERVE WITH DISTINCTION IN OTHER CONFLICTS, SUCH AS KOREA, WHERE THE ARMY USED ABOUT 1,500 DOGS, PRIMARILY FOR GUARD DUTY. DURING THE VIETNAM WAR, NEARLY 4,000 DOGS WERE EMPLOYED AND, OFFICIALLY, 281 WERE KILLED IN ACTION. TODAY'S CONFLICTS INCLUDE DOGS AT EVERY LEVEL, STILL SERVING OUR COUNTRY, HELPING TO PROTECT OUR TROOPS. EMERGING HERO AND SHELTER DOGS JUST AS OUR UNDERSTANDING OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOR AND SCIENCE IS EVER EXPANDING, SO TOO DO THE AMAZING STORIES OF THE HUMAN ANIMAL BOND IN ACTION. DOGS IN THIS CATEGORY CAN BE NOMINATED FOR DOING HEROIC DEEDS, LARGE OR SMALL; FOR OVERCOMING DIFFICULT ODDS; OR BY HAVING A REMARKABLE RESCUE STORY LIKE THE MILLIONS OF HOMELESS DOGS IN SHELTERS, ON THE STREETS, OR NEEDING HELP FROM UNFAVORABLE SITUATIONS. WHETHER IT WAS A SECOND CHANCE AND A NEW "LEASH" ON LIFE OR JUST A PERFECT FIT THAT WAS MEANT TO BE, THESE DOGS HIGHLIGHT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE MAN'S BEST FRIEND.AFTER VOTING BY THE AMERICAN PUBLIC, WINNERS IN EACH CATEGORY ARE HONORED AT THE STAR-STUDDED AMERICAN HUMANE HERO DOG AWARDS GALA IN PALM BEACH, FLORIDA.THIS POPULAR, YEARLY NATIONAL CAMPAIGN DRAWS HUNDREDS OF COURAGEOUS CANINES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, MORE THAN A MILLION VOTES BY THE AMERICAN PUBLIC, AND FOUR BILLION MEDIA IMPRESSIONS, INCLUDING FEATURES BY NBC NIGHTLY NEWS WITH LESTER HOLT KID'S EDITION, TODAY SHOW AND PEOPLE MAGAZINE.AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY SANCTUARY DURING FISCAL YEAR 2024, AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY PURCHASED A 14.2-ACRE PROPERTY IN PALM CITY, FLORIDA, AS THE NEW HOME OF THE AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY SANCTUARY. FOLLOWING THE SALE OF THE ORIGINAL WEST PALM BEACH PROPERTY, ALL OPERATIONS TRANSITIONED TO THE NEW LOCATION.STRATEGICALLY LOCATED IN PALM CITY, THE SANCTUARY IS HOME TO SEVERAL KEY PROGRAMS: PUPS4PATRIOTS: THE NEW FACILITY WILL HOST OUR FIRST RESIDENTIAL TRAINING PROGRAM, HELPING VETERANS RECEIVE SERVICE DOGS FASTER. GRADUATES WILL ALSO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCED TRAINING IN THIS THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT. ANIMAL RESCUE: THE SANCTUARY WILL TRAIN AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY FIRST RESPONDERS TO DEPLOY TO NATURAL DISASTERS WORLDWIDE. RESCUE VEHICLES WILL BE STATIONED ON-SITE FOR TOURS AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. BETTY WHITE HEALING GARDEN: A LIFE-SIZED BRONZE SCULPTURE OF BETTY WHITE WILL WELCOME VISITORS, HONORING HER LEGACY AS A SUPPORTER OF AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY.IN ADDITION, THE SANCTUARY FEATURES STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES CURRENTLY UNDER RENOVATION, INCLUDING: MULTI-SPECIES BARN AND FARM PADDOCKS: RESCUE ANIMALS, INCLUDING DOGS, CATS, RABBITS, COWS, DUCKS, AND MORE, WILL BE CARED FOR IN A MULTI-SPECIES FARM SETTING. VETERINARY TRIAGE CENTER: LOCATED IN THE 9,000 SQ. FT. MULTI-SPECIES BARN, THE CENTER WILL PROVIDE FIRST AID AND CRITICAL CARE FOR ANIMALS.THE SANCTUARY SERVES AS A RETREAT FOR WOUNDED VETERANS, WHERE THEY WILL BE PAIRED WITH SERVICE DOGS, AND A RESCUE CENTER OFFERI
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1942.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
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