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. 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. American Humane Society also reports on animal safety during filming if public concerns arise or if animal accidents happen on the set. American Humane Society protects the animals on the set as well as the cast/crew members who interact with the animals. The society's standard of animal care was established in 1988 and continues to evolve. It covers all living creatures. On the set, representatives attempt to ensure the guidelines are upheld. American Humane Society's oversight includes film, television, commercials, music videos, and internet productions. The Screen Actors Guildand thus the American Humane Societyhave no jurisdiction concerning non-American and non-union productions. In 2024, American Humane Society reported supervising 1,000 productions in 25 countries, protecting 100,000 animal actors. It's possible to see and search for the certification of a past film production or currently-released film productions through their Humane Hollywood website.
Standards American Humane currently has four certifications with unique qualifications, which are as follow: •Full Certification: American Humane's Safety Representatives were on set to ensure the safety of the animals throughout production. After a screening of the finished product and cross-checking all animal action, American Humane determines the film met or exceeded Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media and, is awarded the end credit disclaimer "No Animals Were Harmed." •Modified Certification: American Humane's Safety Representatives were not able to monitor every scene in which animals appeared. However, American Humane oversaw significant animal action filmed in compliance with American Humane's Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media. After screening the finished product and cross-checking all animal action supervised during production, American Humane acknowledges that the filmmakers have cooperated fully with their process. •Not Monitored: The production did not seek monitoring oversight from American Humane's Safety Representatives during filming and American Humane cannot attest to the treatment of the animal actors or know whether American Humane's Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media were followed. •Special Circumstances: The current definition of this is unknown and is only described as special circumstances. Previously, in the former rating system, it was given when productions followed guidelines and there was cooperation with representatives, and yet, an incident occurred (injury, death, etc.) and it was determined the production or animal suppliers had no negligence or malice. The previous ratings system that was used had the following ratings: Outstanding, Acceptable, Special Circumstances, Unacceptable, Production Compliant, and Not Monitored. 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. 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. In 2011 and 2012 the awards were broadcast on the
Hallmark Channel. 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.
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."
Hurricane Katrina, the
2010 Haiti earthquake,
Hurricane Sandy, the
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, and the
September 11 attacks. American Humane Society have units stationed across the country 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.
Child Welfare American Humane Society previously managed initiatives to improve child welfare services. The Front Porch Project was launched in 1997 to prevent child abuse and neglect. Meanwhile, the Fatherhood Initiative helped to develop better methods of engaging non-resident fathers with children who are in the welfare system.
Military Working Dog Reunification American Humane Society operates a program that reunites retired military working dogs with their former handlers. American Humane Society pays to transport the dogs to the former handlers and covers veterinary care for the dogs for the remainder of their lives. This program was formalized in 2021, when American Humane Society created an official Military Working Dog Reunification Fund.
Pups4Patriots American Humane Society operates the Pups4Patriots program, which connects veterans and first responders suffering from
Post-Traumatic Stress and
Traumatic Brain Injury with
service dogs. American Humane Society pays the associated training and adoption costs for the veteran and first responder recipients of the program. The program has provided approximately 300 dogs to veterans and first responders in total.
Global Humane Society Global Humane Society is the international brand of American Humane Society. Global Humane Society has a certification program for international zoos, aquariums, and tourism destinations. Global Humane Society awards the annual Wolfgang Kiessling International Prize for Species Conservation to someone who makes a significant contribution to conservation. The group also oversees a nature preserve in
South Africa, where it operates a
rewilding program. Prior to 2025, Global Humane Society was known as Global Humane. ==Governance and finances==