Humane Society International

The Humane Society International (HSI) is the international division of The Humane Society of the United States. Founded in 1991, HSI has expanded The HSUS's activities into Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. HSI's Asian, Australian, and European offices carry out field activities and programs.

Humane Society International has a three-star rating from Charity Navigator. [ http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=5456 ]

Activities

HSI addresses issues such as inhumane practices and conditions affecting companion and farm animals, illegal trade in wildlife, threats to endangered species, slaughter of marine mammals, and the use of animals in research and testing. HSI works with national and jurisdictional governments, humane organizations, and individual animal protectionists in over 35 countries worldwide to find practical, culturally sensitive, and long-term solutions to common animal problems and to inculcate an ethic of respect and compassion for all life.

Methods

HSI cooperates with policymakers on international treaties and free trade agreements to conduct briefings and to help draft legislation, regulations, policy statements, and resolutions affecting animals. HSI supports the efforts of governments, industries and NGOs to promote the protection of animals through trade capacity building projects in developing countries and international campaigns to reduce suffering caused by exploitation of marine mammals, factory farming, the fur trade, trophy hunting, and animal fighting and cruelty.

HSI represents The HSUS as a regular and active participant in meetings of international bodies such as the International Whaling Commission, the Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and enjoys Category I A General Consultative Status with the United Nations.