Humane World for Animals
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Humane World for Animals meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Complaints
Number of complaints processed by the BBB in the last 36 months: 5.
Mailing List Removal
The organization addressed the complaint issues brought to its attention: 4. (The complaint involved an individual seeking to have his or her name and contact information removed from the organization's mailing)
Donation Billing Issue
The organization addressed the complaint issues brought to its attention: 1. (The complaint involved a request to cancel a recurring donation)
Stated Purpose:
"to create a humane and sustainable world for all animals, including people, through education, advocacy, and the promotion of respect and compassion."
Year, State Incorporated:
1954, DE
Formerly Known As:
Humane Society of the United States
Humane World for Animals (HWA), formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States, protects animals through advocacy, direct care, education, investigation, litigation, field work, emergency response services, and public policy initiatives. HWA works around the globe to protect companion animals and wildlife, improve farm animal welfare, promote animal-free testing methods, and reform industries that harm animals. Through its rescue, response, and sanctuary work, as well as other direct services, the organization helps animals in need. The organization also works to end harmful practices toward animals, care for animals in crisis, and build a stronger animal protection movement worldwide. HWA advocates for animal shelters and is a provider of direct care for animals. The organization reports rescuing thousands every year from natural and human-caused disasters, running two sanctuaries, and providing low-cost spay/neuter programs in rural areas as well as pet wellness clinics in needy communities. Some ($22,023,506 or 13%) of HWA's programs are conducted in conjunction with informational materials that include fundraising appeals.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, Humane World for Animals's program expenses were:
| Caring for animals in crisis | $72,217,258 |
| Building a stronger animal protection movement | $53,128,183 |
| Ending the cruelest practices | $41,984,294 |
| Total Program Expenses | $167,329,735 |
Chief Executive
Kitty Block, President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$676,674
Chair of the Board
Charles A. Laue
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Insurance services
Board Size
17
Paid Staff Size
663
*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Telephone appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Television, Radio, Grant proposals, Internet, Door-to-door appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Membership appeals, Workplace Giving
HWA incurred joint costs of $60,388,186 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs, $38,364,680 was allocated to fundraising expenses and $22,023,506 was allocated to program expenses.
Fundraising costs were 21% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $207,143,254, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Humane World for Animals's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Source of Funds
| Contributions | $160,894,940 |
| Investment return (net) | $51,043,276 |
| Bequests | $44,603,559 |
| In-kind contributions | $39,733,928 |
| Contributions of assets from HWAI-Australia | $6,607,001 |
| Other income | $3,210,678 |
| Event income | $1,644,755 |
| Royalty income | $297,701 |
| Annuity liability change in valuation | $205,434 |
| Total Income | $308,241,272 |
Programs: 73% Fundraising: 19% Administrative: 7%
| Total Income | $308,241,272 |
| Total expenses: | $227,780,651 |
| Program expenses | $167,329,735 |
| Fundraising expenses | $44,353,994 |
| Administrative expenses | $16,096,922 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $80,460,621 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $449,059,210 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $-237,468 |
| Ending Net Assets | $489,548,435 |
| Total Liabilities | $39,961,515 |
| Total Assets | $529,509,950 |
Note 1: In the financial section above, "other changes in net assets" refers to a foreign currency loss (-$237,468).
Note 2: According to HWA's 2022 consolidated audited financial statements, the organization received in-kind contributions totaling $39,733,928 in the form of animal care and medical supplies ($35,574,340), public service announcements ($2,436,854), legal services ($958,133), equipment and office supplies ($466,117), and veterinary services ($298,484).
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance