American Humane

Founded in 1877 as the United States’ first national humane organization, American Humane is committed to helping ensure the safety, welfare and well-being of animals. For nearly a century and a half, our innovative, science-based leadership programs have been first to serve in promoting and nurturing the bonds between animals and humans. Today, we are recognized as the largest certifier of animal welfare in the world, verifying the humane treatment of animals on farms and ranches, in filmed media, and in zoos and aquariums, setting the standard for what humane means to more than 1 billion animals annually.

At the foundation of each of our animal welfare certification programs is a Scientific Advisory Committee made up of the world’s leading animal welfare experts, behaviorists, and ethicists. Together, these groups of experts evaluate the latest animal welfare behavior research to identify and define standards and best practices for the humane treatment of animals.

In 2016 we launched the American Humane Certified™ program for zoos and aquariums, the world’s first independent, third-party certification program dedicated solely to the welfare of animals in zoological institutions. This initiative to verify the welfare and well-being of animals in the world’s zoos and aquariums utilizes the same foundation of science and evidence-based practices for which we are globally recognized. American Humane Certified™ – known internationally as Global Humane Certified™ – sets the global benchmark for verifying the humane treatment of animals in human care.

In the midst of what scientists have deemed the Sixth Mass Extinction, with species disappearing at an alarming rate, American Humane recognizes it is more important than ever that the work being done by today’s leading zoological institutions is indeed humane and essential to the survival of these incredible species.

For more information, please visit https://www.americanhumane.org/ or
https://humaneconservation.org/.