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American Humane Society

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(Redirected from American Humane Association)
Not to be confused with Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International.
"No animals were harmed" redirects here. For the 2011 book, see No Animals Were Harmed (book).

American Humane Society
FormationOctober 9, 1877; 147 years ago (1877-10-09)
TypeNon-profit
FocusAnimal welfare, child welfare
Location
Region
United States
Revenue$68,000,000
Staff143[1]
Websitehttps://www.americanhumane.org/

The American Humane Society (previously American Humane), is an American animal welfare organization founded in 1877 committed to ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of animals. It was previously called the International Humane Association and subsequently the American Humane Association and American Humane before changing its name to American Humane Society in 2025. In 1940, it became the sole monitoring body for the humane treatment of animals on the sets of unionized Hollywood films and other broadcast productions, a role it maintains through an agreement with the Screen Actors Guild. American Humane Society is best known for its certification mark "No Animals Were Harmed", which appears at the end of film or television credits where animals are featured.

The organization also rescues animals following natural disasters, and runs programs that certify farms, zoos, and aquariums, among other institutions for the humane treatment of animals.[2]

American Humane Society is headquartered in Washington, D.C.[3] It is a section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.[4]

History

The American Humane Association, 1919

American Humane Society began on October 9, 1877, as the International Humane Association, with the amalgamation of 27 organizations from across the United States after a meeting at the Kennard House in Cleveland, Ohio.[5] The invitation to the other groups came from the Illinois Humane Society, sent on September 15, 1877, to discuss the specific problem of farm animal maltreatment during their transport between the eastern and western US. Groups attending the meeting included associations from the State of New York, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Maryland, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. A group from Minnesota also pledged its support to the forthcoming results of the conference, though they could not attend, and a group from the Canadian province of Quebec requested that a transcript of the proceedings be sent to them afterward.[6]

The International Humane Association changed its name to the "American Humane Association" in November 1878.[7] New member organizations were in attendance for their second annual general meeting, held in Baltimore, Maryland, and also came from California, Massachusetts, Maine, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. Canadian regions were also included in the Association.[8] From 1892 to 1900, Francis H. Rowley was Secretary of the American Humane Association.[9]

In 1916, American Humane Society founded Red Star Rescue Relief after the U.S. Secretary of War asked the organization to rescue injured horses on the battlefields of World War I.[10] Officers in 1917 included President William O. Stillman and 2nd Vice-President Peter G. Gerry. There were 36 Vice-Presidents listed including William Howard Taft, Thomas R. Marshall, and Francis H. Rowley.[11]

American Humane Society began its work in film in 1940 after an incident that occurred on the set of the film Jesse James.[12] The group began protesting the public release of the film because of a scene in which a horse was forced to run off the edge of a cliff.[13] The horse fell over 70 feet to the ground below and broke its spine, having to be put down afterwards.[14] In 1966, American Humane Society's access to some sets was diminished for 14 years following the dismantling of the Hays Office, during which time their jurisdiction was lessened.

In 1954, tensions within the ranks of American Humane Society members came to a head at the organization's annual meeting, as a member-nominated slate of board candidates stood for office in opposition to a board-nominated slate. The majority of those assembled at the Atlanta, Georgia convention elected the three candidates on the member-nominated slate; J. Perry, Raymond Naramore, and Roland Smith. In the meeting's aftermath, there were firings and resignations on the part of staff members, including Larry Andrews, Marcia Glaser, Helen Jones, and Fred Myers. This core group went on to found a new organization, the National Humane Society, later known as The Humane Society of the United States, as an alternative to American Humane Society.[15]

American Humane Society's first "No Animals Were Harmed" end credit was issued at the end of the movie The Doberman Gang in 1972.[16] And since then, the group has launched programs to certify the humane treatment of animals at a wide variety of institutions.[17]

In 1980,[18] following the release of Heaven's Gate, the opening of which was met with a national picketing and protest effort after complaints about how the filming of the movie had involved the inhumane treatment of animals – including the deaths of five horses – the Screen Actors Guild negotiated for the universal presence of American Humane Society on the set as part of its union deal, forcing filmmakers to contact American Humane Society in advance of any animal being present on set.[19]

In 2000, the American Humane Certified Farm program created the first farm animal welfare label to be overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program began as "Free Farmed" under Adele Douglass and is now referred to as the American Humane Certified Farm Program.[20]

In 2025, the organization changed its name to "American Humane Society".[21]

Programs

No Animals Were Harmed Certification

The American Humane Society's No Animals Were Harmed certification program oversees animals used during unionized media productions, and it is sanctioned by the Screen Actors Guild to oversee a production's humane care of animals. It is the only organization with jurisdiction to do so within the United States.[22] Because of this, the society may choose to issue the end credit disclaimer "No Animals Were Harmed", with a piece of a filmstrip that depicts a dog, a horse and an elephant.[23] American Humane Society also reports on animal safety during filming if public concerns arise or if animal accidents happen on the set.[24] American Humane Society protects the animals on the set as well as the cast/crew members who interact with the animals.[25]

The society's standard of animal care was established in 1988 and continues to evolve. It covers all living creatures.[26] On the set, representatives attempt to ensure the guidelines are upheld.[27] American Humane Society's oversight includes film, television, commercials, music videos, and internet productions.[28]

The Screen Actors Guild – and thus the American Humane Society – have no jurisdiction concerning non-American and non-union productions.[29]

In 2024, American Humane Society reported supervising 1,000 productions in 25 countries, protecting 100,000 animal actors.[30]

Certified Farm Program

Main article: American Humane Certified

American Humane Society certifies farms after evaluating them in five criteria. The animals are expected to be free from hunger, discomfort, pain, and fear, and able to express normal behaviors. Farms that meet these criteria receive an American Humane Certified label.[31]As of 2024, the American Humane Society reported that its farm program certifies nearly 200 producers and processors, represents 90 percent of cage-free-eggs sold in the U.S., and covers more than one billion farm animals.[32]

Certified Zoos & Aquariums

The American Humane Society also certifies zoos, aquariums, and conservation parks for the humane treatment of animals. The benchmarks in which facilities are judged are developed by the organization’s Scientific Advisory Committee.[33]As of 2024, the American Humane Society certifies 85 zoos, aquariums, and conservation parks across 17 countries.

Hero Dog Awards

Each year a dog is awarded the Hero Dog Award, an accolade given to dogs that have contributed substantially to human society. There are several categories in which dogs can be nominated, including the Military Dog category. The grand prize for the American Hero Dog was previously reported to be $10,000, which is given to a charity that reflects the contributions of the animal.[34] In 2011 and 2012 the awards were broadcast on the Hallmark Channel.[35] The first winner of the national award was a dog named Roselle, who led his blind owner down from the 78th floor of the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks. There were more than 400,000 votes cast in the online poll that determined the winner. Roselle died several months before the winner was announced. The award was given on November 11, 2011.[36]

Red Star Rescue

Main article: Red Star Rescue

According to The Gettysburg Times, the "American Humane Association began offering animal relief in August 1916, by accepting an invitation of the War Department to help animals used by the U.S. Army during WWI. The invitation resulted in the development of the American Red Star Animal Relief Program later known as Red Star Rescue Relief. Since its inception, the American Humane Association's Red Star Animal Emergency Services has responded to national and international disasters, rescuing thousands of animals."[37] Now called America Humane Society Red Star Animal Rescue, disasters in which the group has rescued animals include the 2011 Joplin tornado,[38] Hurricane Katrina, the 2010 Haiti earthquake,[39] Hurricane Sandy,[40] the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, and the September 11 attacks,[41].

American Humane Society have units stationed across the country[where?] to rescue animals in crisis. It includes emergency response vehicles customized to help animals in disasters, as well as rescue equipment designed for animal search and rescue.[37]

Child Welfare

American Humane Society previously managed initiatives to improve child welfare services.[42] The Front Porch Project was launched in 1997 to prevent child abuse and neglect.[43] Meanwhile, the Fatherhood Initiative helped to develop better methods of engaging non-resident fathers with children who are in the welfare system.[44]

Governance and finances

American Humane Society's budget for 2024 was just over $65 million. Their total revenue during that same year was $68.5 million.[45]

The organization closed its Denver, Colorado office in 2011 and moved its operations to Washington, D.C.[46]

Previous board chair, Eric Bruner, resigned in January 2013 amidst revelations that American Humane Society paid $233,863 to his business partner, Gregory Dew, for unspecified consulting services. Dew was the highest paid American Humane "independent contractor" in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2011, according to filings the charity submitted to the IRS.[29][47]

People

John G. Shortall
John L. Shortall

Other organization staff include program leaders that oversee the operations of initiatives ranging from No Animals Were Harmed to zoo and aquarium certifications. [51]

Criticism

In the late 1980s, American Humane Society was accused by Bob Barker and the United Activists for Animal Rights of condoning animal cruelty on the set of Project X and in several other media projects. The basis of the accusation was the allowing of a cattle prod and a gun on set, and the rumored beating of the chimpanzee on set. American Humane Society responded by launching a $10 million suit for libel, slander and invasion of privacy against Barker.[52] American Humane Society claimed that there had been a two-year "vendetta" against them behind the accusations.[53] In a series of public advertisements along with the $10 million libel suit, American Humane Society stated that the allegations were made based on insufficient and misleading information.[52] The suit was eventually settled by Barker's insurance company, which paid American Humane Society $300,000.[54]

Los Angeles Times reported, in 2001, that the American Humane Society Film Unit "has been slow to criticize cases of animal mistreatment, yet quick to defend the big-budget studios it is supposed to police," and that an examination of American Humane Society "also raises questions about the association's effectiveness." The article cites numerous cases of animals injured during filming which the American Humane Society may have overlooked.[55]

In late 2013, The Hollywood Reporter ran a story which implicated American Humane Society in turning a blind eye to and underreporting incidents of animal abuse on television and movie sets. For example, during the filming of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, 27 animals died. Nevertheless, the movie received a "No Animals Were Harmed" disclaimer. During the filming of the movie Life of Pi, the tiger "King" nearly drowned in a pool, yet this incident was not reported outside of the American Humane Society organization.[56]

In early 2017, CNN reported that American Humane Society's representative for the movie A Dog's Purpose failed to properly monitor and protect a dog used in the film. American Humane Society placed an employee on leave after a video was published showing the dog in distress while performing a stunt for the movie.[57] A third-party report later found that the video was "deliberately edited for the purpose of misleading the public and stoking public outrage."[58][59]

Publications

The American Humane Society published The National Humane Review in 1913 which later became the American Humane Magazine up until 1978.[60][61] It was published quarterly by American Humane Association Animal Protection Division.[61]

The society publishes an annual report and newsletter.[62] They have released books and publications including:

  • The Humane Table: Cooking with Compassion (2022)[63]
  • Mission Metamorphosis: Leadership in a Humane World (2020)[64]
  • Animal Stars: Behind the Scenes with Your Favorite Animal Actors (2014)[65][66]
  • Pet Meets Baby (2011)[67]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Form 990" (PDF). American Humane. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 9, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  2. ^ "About Us". American Humane Society. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  3. ^ "American Humane Association moving HQ from Colorado to D.C." Denver Business Journal. February 14, 2011. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  4. ^ "American Humane Association: Tax Status". Better Business Bureau. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
  5. ^ Claire M. Renzetti; Jeffrey L. Edleson (2008). Encyclopedia of Interpersonal Violence, Volume 1. SAGE Publications. ISBN 9781412918008. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  6. ^ Doings of the Annual Meeting, Volumes 1. American Humane Association. 1877. pp. 5–7. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  7. ^ Doings of the Annual Meeting, Volumes 1, p. 19
  8. ^ Doings of the Annual Meeting, Volumes 2. American Humane Association. 1878. pp. 8–9. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  9. ^ a b The National Cyclopædia of American Biography, Volume 43. (1961). New York: James T. White & Company. pp. 206-207
  10. ^ "Colorado Floods: American Humane Association's Red Star™ rescue team mobilizes to help animal victims". Mars.com. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  11. ^ The American Humane Association. Volume 5, No. 1. (January, 1917).
  12. ^ Johnna Rizzo (February 24, 2013). "Dorothy Lamour never got nominated for an Oscar, while a chimp never could". National Geographic. Archived from the original on February 25, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  13. ^ "Groups targeting Humane Association over treatment of apes in movies". USA Today. Associated Press. March 15, 2006. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  14. ^ "Hollywood Under Fire in Death of 2nd Horse". Los Angeles Daily News. April 28, 2005. Retrieved February 28, 2013.[dead link]
  15. ^ P. Parkes and J. Sichel, The Humane Society of the United States 1954-1979: Twenty Five Years of Growth and Achievement, Washington, 1979, 3
  16. ^ "History and Milestones". American Humane Association. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  17. ^ "%". American Humane Society. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  18. ^ The Fifth Estate. "PROFILE: American Humane". CBC News. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  19. ^ Lisa Wolfson (August 1, 1987). "The Humane Society keeps film set abuse down". Deseret News. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
  20. ^ "Farms". American Humane Society. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  21. ^ Marks, Trish (January 6, 2025). "Introducing the Next Era for American Humane". American Humane Society. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  22. ^ Eve Light Honthaner (2013). The Complete Film Production Handbook. CRC Press. ISBN 9781136053054. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  23. ^ Empire (2012). Empire Movie Miscellany: Instant Film Buff Status Guaranteed. Random House. p. 160. ISBN 9781448132911.
  24. ^ "American Humane Investigates Horse Injury on Set of Russell Crowe's '3:10 To Yuma'". Star Pulse. October 26, 2006. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  25. ^ American Human Association. "Protecting Your Ass* From Harm" (PDF). American Human Film & Television Units. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 20, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  26. ^ Steven Pinker (2011). The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined. Penguin Books. ISBN 9781101544648. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  27. ^ Thomas Lennonand Robert B Garant (2011). Writing Movies for Fun and Profit: How We Made a Billion Dollars at the Box Office and You Can, Too!. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-1439186770. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  28. ^ Elayne Boosler (March 27, 2012). "Yes, Animals Were Harmed in the Making of This Motion Picture". HuffPost. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  29. ^ a b Animal People, 2013 Animal People Watchdog Report, 5, http://www.animalpeoplenews.org/watchdog_report.html Archived September 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  30. ^ "No Animals Were Harmed™". American Humane Society. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  31. ^ "American Humane Association Certifies the Welfare of Nearly One Billion Farm Animals". Growing Georgia. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  32. ^ "Farms". American Humane Society. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  33. ^ "Zoos & Aquariums". American Humane Society. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  34. ^ Christina Ng (September 19, 2012). "Military Heroes and Their Hero Dogs". ABC World News Tonight. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  35. ^ "Kristin Chenoweth to host 'Hero Dog Awards' show". Tulsa World. September 26, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  36. ^ Linda Wilson Fuoco (October 29, 2011). "Pet Tales -- Heroes in the spotlight: Guide dog honored for leading her human to safety on 9/11". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
  37. ^ a b "Rig headed to area to mark SPCA event". The Gettysburg Times. June 16, 2007. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  38. ^ "American Humane Association to help animal victims of Joplin disaster". The State Journal-Register. May 25, 2011.
  39. ^ Steve Dale (January 27, 2011). "Robin Ganzert Steers American Humane Association from a Celebrated Past into A Promising Future". ChicagoNow. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
  40. ^ Laura T. Coffey (October 30, 2012). "Rush is on to rescue animals stranded in Sandy's wake". Today. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
  41. ^ Erin Thompson (July 9, 2007). "Animal rescue group shows off big rig". The Evening Sun. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
  42. ^ "Children". American Humane. Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  43. ^ "Children". American Humane Association. Archived from the original on April 8, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  44. ^ "Fatherhood Initiative". American Humane Association. Archived from the original on February 16, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  45. ^ "Annual Report 2024". American Humane Society. January 3, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  46. ^ "American Humane Association moving HQ from Colorado to D.C." Denver Business Journal.
  47. ^ "American Humane Assn. board Chairman Eric Bruner resigns". Los Angeles Times. January 9, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  48. ^ "William Olin Stillman Papers: Manuscripts and Special Collections: New York State Library". Nysl.nysed.gov. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  49. ^ "Denounce Wearing of Bird Feathers". The New York Times. October 23, 1923. Retrieved November 4, 2012. Dr. Frank L. Baldwin, Vice President of American Humane Society [sic], under the auspices of Which the conference was called, characterized New York as 'the mecca of humane workers and the birthplace of the humanitarian movement.'
  50. ^ "American Humane Association, Aetna Foundation, Dave Thomas Foundation, and more". Philanthropy Journal. September 1, 2010. Archived from the original on December 20, 2010. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
  51. ^ "Leadership and Board". American Humane Society. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  52. ^ a b Lucinda Smith; Leah Feldon; Eleanor Hoover (September 18, 1989). "Speaking Up for 'Abused' Animals, Bob Barker Is Hit with a Lawsuit". People. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  53. ^ "Game Show Host Sued For Libel". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. August 31, 1989. p. A7. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  54. ^ "Animal Board Official Seeks Conflict-of-Interest Probe". Los Angeles Daily News. March 30, 1994. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
  55. ^ Ralph Frammolino; James Bates (February 9, 2001). "Questions Raised About Group That Watches Out for Animals in Movies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  56. ^ Animals were harmed
  57. ^ Sandra Gonzalez (January 19, 2017). "'A Dog's Purpose' faces backlash after 'disturbing' video surfaces". CNN. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  58. ^ McCleary, Kelly (February 5, 2017). "'A Dog's Purpose' video mischaracterized events, investigation finds". CNN. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  59. ^ services, Tribune news (February 4, 2017). "'A Dog's Purpose' leaked video that raised concerns was misleadingly edited: report". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  60. ^ "The National Humane Review". Hathitrust: 64 v. 2024.
  61. ^ a b "American Humane Magazine 1913-1978". Internet Archive. 2024.
  62. ^ "Publications". American Humane. 2024.
  63. ^ Ganzert, Robin (October 11, 2022). The Humane Table: Cooking with Compassion. Greenleaf Book Group Press. ISBN 978-1626349483.
  64. ^ Ganzert, Robin (October 20, 2020). Mission Metamorphosis: Leadership for a Humane World. Greenleaf Book Group LLC. ISBN 978-1732439184.
  65. ^ "Animal Stars: Behind the Scenes With Your Favorite Animal Actors". Look to the Stars. August 15, 2014. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  66. ^ "San Francisco Book Review". Animal Stars: Behind The Scenes With your Favorite Animal Actors. Archived from the original on March 20, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  67. ^ "Helpful Information". Accvet. Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.

Sources

  • Coleman, Sydney. Humane Society Leaders in America (Albany: American Humane Association, 1924).
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