Kevin Wolf/AP Images for Humane World for Animals
Kathy Milani / HSI 2010
Dog and cat welfare
The cats and dogs who share our lives are often our first and deepest connection to another species. But every day around the world, millions of dogs and cats face neglect and cruelty.
Did you know?
Through rescues, direct care, education and policy reforms, Humane World for Animals works to protect companion animals and to support people in caring for them.
60,000
cats and dogs
received vaccinations, spay/neuter and other veterinary care through our multiyear Spayathon for Puerto Rico collaborative project
73,000+
street dogs
in Lucknow, India have been sterilized and vaccinated since 2019
40+
countries
plus three U.S. states (Maryland, New York and Virginia), and more than 20 U.S. municipalities ban the nontherapeutic declawing of cats
Take a look inside the problem
The situation for dogs and cats varies among countries and cultures. In some places, pet adoption is still a relatively new concept. But even where it’s common, animal shelters are often underfunded and overwhelmed.
Karma Sonam Bhutia/AP Images
Vaccinating a dog in Dehradun, India.
Amie Chou/Humane World for Animals
Rescued from a puppy mill.
Micki Rosi Richter /For Humane World for Animals
TNR helps community cats
Kristin Lamy/Humane World for Animals
Spay/neuter saves lives.
/The HSUS
Petland sells sick puppies
Petland is the largest retailer of puppy mill dogs, and while the company claims their puppies come only from reputable breeders and are in good health, our investigations prove otherwise. You can help end this cruelty.
Our work around the world
We work on companion animal issues across 13 countries, and reach many more through our training programs and partnerships with local animal welfare organizations.
Across Asia, millions of dogs and cats are kept in terrible conditions and then killed for their meat.
In truly humane communities, everyone can obtain what they need for the animals in their lives.
No animal should have to suffer the barbaric practice of dogfighting.
Whether they are unowned street animals, community animals or pets, dogs and cats worldwide face challenges to their welfare.
Our undercover investigators document abusive practices so that they can’t be ignored by the public and lawmakers.
Puppy mills are inhumane commercial dog breeding facilities that disregard dogs' health—both physical and emotional—in order to maximize profits.
Julia Gerasina/iStock.com
All Animals magazine
Animal shelters are in crisis
As people struggle to afford pet care, animal shelters are feeling the impact.
Dig deeper
Learn more about our efforts to improve life for companion animals and how to avoid unknowingly participating in cruelty.
News coverage of bad breeders is one of the ways we alert the public about the reality of puppy mills and encourage enforcement agencies to act.
Over the last few decades, the AKC has become little more than a front for the puppy mill industry, one that serves the interests of large-scale mass breeders while charging them for certifications of pedigree and litter registrations.
The campaign to end declawing is a call to veterinarians to abandon a non-therapeutic procedure—once commonly performed—that is now recognized as inherently cruel by a large portion of the general public.
More and more municipalities are seeking effective strategies to manage community (feral and stray) cats and owned cats whose owners let them outside.
By spaying or neutering your pet, you can help protect them against certain illnesses, perhaps address certain unwanted behaviors and save money.
Take action
Help improve the lives of dogs and cats worldwide by taking action today. Your support can make a lasting impact on the care, well-being, and health of beloved companions everywhere.
Related Petitions to Issue
Ban the cruel and inhumane declawing of cats!
Declawing is a painful, irreversible surgical procedure that amputates part of a cat’s toes.
Urge the USDA to protect puppies
Puppies and mother dogs suffer in puppy mills and urgently deserve better conditions.
Keep pets and their families together
Help us increase access to affordable veterinary care, pet food and pet-inclusive housing.
Help dogs and cats on the streets
Millions of dogs and cats roam the streets worldwide.
Petland cruelty exposed
Undercover investigations have unveiled terrible suffering in Petland stores.
End the dog and cat meat trade in Indonesia
End the horrifically cruel and dangerous dog and cat meat trades.
End organized dogfighting
Dogs forced to fight for human entertainment suffer horrific injuries and sometimes death.
End dog testing
End experiments on dogs and invest in science that doesn’t cause suffering.
Latest news
Multi-agency suspected dogfighting bust leads to the rescue of over 80 dogs in Florida
United States
FLORIDA—A multi-property suspected dogfighting bust is underway in Clay and Union counties in Florida. Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States, is assisting
Animal protection groups launch public awareness campaign at Guwahati railway station to combat illegal transport of dogs for meat trade
India
Guwahati, ASSAM - Animal protection organization, Humane World for Animals India (formerly called Humane Society International), in collaboration with Anaajoree and the Railway Protection Force, has
Italian 2026 budget law: amendment proposes 2 million euros to combat animal fighting
Italy
ROME—Combating animal fighting is the objective of amendment 42.0.23 to the Italian 2026 budget law, introduced by Senator Anna Bilotti (M5S) and supported by the two animal protection organisations
On the ground in Florida
On the ground in Florida
These dogs have experienced unimaginable cruelty. Your donation gives them a second chance. Rush a gift to support our lifesaving work.
Kevin Wolf/AP Images for Humane World for Animals