Better Business Bureau

Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	Humane Society of the United States
Address:	2100 L Street NW
	Washington, DC 20037
Phone:	202-452-1100
Web Address:	www.hsus.org

Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

HSUS protects animals through advocacy, direct care, education, investigation, litigation, field work, emergency response services, and public policy initiatives. The organization has programs focusing on companion animals, wild animals and habitat, captive animal issues, farm animal welfare, marine mammals, animals in research, equine protection, animal cruelty and rescue, and humane education. HSUS also has a roster of scientists and other experts in animal welfare. HSUS advocates for animal shelters and acts as a provider of direct care for animals, rescuing thousands every year from natural and human-caused disasters, running five sanctuaries, and providing spay/neuter programs in rural areas and pet wellness clinics in needy communities. The organization also reports that it confronts national and international problems facing animals, such as animal fighting, puppy mills, seal killing, the wildlife trade, inhumane slaughter, and factory farming. HSUS works to pass local, state, and federal laws, makes sure existing animal protection laws are properly enforced, and conducts public awareness campaigns and undercover investigations to highlight cruelty to animals and the need for reform in their treatment.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, HSUS's program expenses were:

Program services	99,694,959
Total Program Expenses:	$99,694,959

Chief Executive : Wayne Pacelle, President/CEO

Compensation*:

$269,180

Chair of the Board: Anita W. Coupe, Esquire
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Retired attorney

Board Size: 26

Paid Staff Size: 629

*2009 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, telemarketing, special events, print advertisements, television, radio, grant proposals, Internet appeals, door to door, planned giving, cause-related marketing, and membership appeals.

Fund raising costs were 22% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $103,531,615, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

HSUS incurred joint costs of $41,454,101 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs $24,870,081 was allocated to program expenses, $15,604,899 was allocated to fund raising expenses, and $979,121 was allocated to administrative expenses.

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 HSUS's audited financial statements (consolidated with affiliates) for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Source of Funds
Contributions	80,990,939
Bequests	18,213,121
Realized and unrealized gains on investments	11,049,082
Royalty income	3,737,751
Interest and dividends	3,508,766
Grants and trusts	2,782,786
Other	1,804,456
Event income	1,544,769
Sales of literature	808,810
Postretirement benefits adjustment	638,060
Transfer income	-149,734
Total Income	$124,928,806

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 78%  Fund Raising: 18%  Administrative: 4%

Total income				$124,928,806
	Program expenses			$99,694,959
	Fund raising expenses			22,341,213
	Administrative expenses			4,598,215
Total expenses				$126,634,387
Expenses in Excess of Income				(1,705,581)
Beginning net assets				162,217,144
Ending net assets				160,511,563
Total liabilities				26,238,061
Total assets				$186,749,624

Note: Accoring to HSUS, for the year ended December 31, 2009, HSUS received in-kind donations of $9,577,547 which included donated legal services ($4,331,544), public service announcements ($4,286,640), professional consultants ($577,689), advertising ($222,764), and animal care supplies, auction donations, and other ($158,910).