Humane Society Anniversary Day Date in the current year: November 22, 2024

The term “humane society” typically refers to an organization aiming to stop cruelty to animals, although historically, it was also applied to organizations that provide lifesaving services or give awards for saving human life. Animal humane societies are also known as societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA).

The first SPCA in the United States was the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, founded by Henry Bergh in 1866. Eleven years later, 27 humane organizations from across the country came together to found the International Humane Association, renamed the American Humane Association in 1878.

In 1954, some members of the association split from it due to internal tensions and disagreements over certain policy issues such as rodeo and pound seizures. They formed the National Humane Society, subsequently renamed the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), in Washington, D.C. on November 22, 1954. The main goal of the new organization was to influence the development of national policies concerning animal welfare and confront the issues beyond the reach of local and state humane societies.

HSUS works to improve the welfare of companion and farm animals, animals used in research, testing and education, and wildlife. Its campaigns target issues such as animal blood sports (i.e. dog fighting), factory farming, animal hoarding, puppy mills, roadside menageries, fur trade, dubious practices associated with horse racing, and wildlife abuse.

In 1991, HSUS expanded its activities beyond the United States and founded Humane Society International (HSI). HSI is the international division of HSUS that works to advance the welfare of animals in more than 50 countries. It addresses issues such as the use of animals in research and testing, illegal wildlife trade, threats faced by endangered species, cruelty to companion and farm animals, suffering caused by factory farming and fur trade, and more.

Humane Society International is not the only affiliated organization of HSUS. Other affiliated and related entities include the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSMVA), the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust (HSWLT), the Doris Day Animal League, the Fund for Animals, and the Humane Society Legislative Fund.

Humane Society Anniversary Day isn’t an official holiday, but it is observed by many people who share the Society’s values. Celebrate Humane Society Anniversary Day by helping animals. You can donate to HSI or any other animal welfare organization of your choice, volunteer at a local animal shelter, adopt a pet from a shelter, pledge to use only cruelty-free products, consider converting to a vegan lifestyle or at least participating in Meatless Mondays, symbolically adopt an animal to help conserve wildlife, and spread the world on social media.