Investigations
Decades-long persistence pays off as proposed federal regulations will protect captive birds
When Humane Society of the United States investigators go out to take a close look at facilities that keep captive birds—roadside zoos, animal markets and others—they almost always return with the same dispiriting reports of dismal treatment and living conditions. Owls and hawks tightly chained . . .
An inside look at what it takes to go undercover for the animals
Imagine having to work in a roadside zoo, a pet store selling puppy mill puppies, a slaughter plant or a factory farm without ever being able to show your true feelings. Would you ever be able to walk alone among hundreds of dead animals at . . .
Exposed: Virginia wildlife killing contest where 600 animals were slaughtered in just 2 days
Today, we released the grisly findings of three undercover investigations into wildlife killing contests in Virginia, including the largest contest held east of the Mississippi River. The heartbreaking callousness and carnage our investigators saw at the weigh-ins of the three contests, which took place over . . .
Breaking: Undercover investigation exposes puppies suffering in NYC pet store
Since our undercover footage is now in the hands of New York City authorities, we can reveal what our investigations team discovered over the course of six weeks at a pet store called American Kennels on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Between October and . . .
New undercover investigation shows the cruelty of ‘certified’ fur farms
The fur industry is swiftly running out of ways to justify continuing the mass raising and killing of animals like foxes, mink and raccoon dogs for fashion. A new undercover investigation reveals what’s really going on at three fur farms in Finland, two of which . . .
Undercover investigation exposes where hunting trophies end up
American trophy hunters target hundreds of thousands of animals in the U.S. and abroad every year just to display the gruesome keepsakes of their kills. Now, a new undercover investigation by the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International reveals where so . . .
Now is the time for countries across the world to ban fur
Last week, Israel became the first country in the world to ban the sale of new fur products used for fashion. We want to share why this is meaningful progress for animals and for advocates around the globe fighting for a fur-free future. A strong . . .
Beagle rescued from testing lab ‘is just so happy to be free’
A beautiful story came out over the weekend in the Washington Post about an 11-year-old beagle named Hammy. Adopted in 2013 after living in a research laboratory for his first four years of life, Hammy became the beloved pup of journalist Melanie D.G. Kaplan. As . . .
Our Horrible Hundred report exposes 100 puppy mills that sell to pet stores and online
What dog lovers don’t know about where their beloved puppies come from can hurt them. When puppies are born to emaciated, sick or injured dogs in cramped and dirty wire cages, the physical and mental toll can extend throughout their lives, impacting their behavior and . . .
Slow pace of state and federal inspections during pandemic makes things worse for dogs in puppy mills
State and federal inspections of puppy mills have been scaled back or, in some cases, have ground to a halt during the pandemic. As a result, dogs in these operations have been left without the most basic protections under the law. This is even more . . .
Undercover investigation lays bare extreme cruelty in Indiana and Texas wildlife killing contests. Foxes, bobcats, coyotes among animals blasted with assault rifles
It is a bloody scene at the Texas weigh-in of the “De Leon Pharmacy and Sporting Goods’ Varmint Hunt #1” on a cold January morning this year. Participants in this wildlife killing contest are unloading the bodies of bobcats, grey foxes, coyotes and raccoons from . . .
Rescued beagles are a holiday reminder of why our work – and your support – matters
For you and for all of us at the Humane Society family of organizations, 2020 has been a long year. As we reach its close, I want to give you my highest assurance that we’ve kept our shoulders to the wheel, expanding our lifesaving programs, . . .
