Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Copies of digital files may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.
We perform virus scans upon ingest and upon request for access. However, not all virus software profiles will catch all threats, especially newer, not yet recognized ones. The researcher assumes all risk when opening files.
While electronic files are made available to researchers, some files may not open with current software or at all. Researchers may be required to find and use legacy software packages to read files.
Additional conditions may apply.
The Humane World for Animals Records (formerly the Humane Society of the United States Records) include original correspondence, publications, animal rights research, legislative files, voting ballots, reports, grants, memorabilia, and photographs dating from 1918, with the bulk of the records from the 1960s to the 2010s. These materials encompass the full range of the organization's activities in promoting the protection of companion animals, farm animals, animals in laboratories, and wildlife. Additionally, the records reflect the organization’s special focus on public policy, humane education, and direct animal care work. Researchers should be advised that SCRC staff has identified materials in this collection that depict animal cruelty and abuse.
Humane World for Animals, formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) (1957-2025) and the National Humane Society (1954-1956), is an animal welfare and rights nonprofit organization that was first formed in 1954 by former members of the American Humane Association (AHA). The organization committed itself to preventing cruelty to animals of all kinds as a part of the national animal humane movement. Since 1954, the organization has expanded its operations to include animal rights and welfare advocacy, education, legislation, research, investigation, and field services. Humane World for Animals has been instrumental in lobbying for federal animal rights and welfare legislation, including the Humane Slaughter Act of 1958, the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966, and the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act of 2006. For a more comprehensive historical timeline and a list of abbreviations related to Humane World for Animals, refer to the document available online.
Most materials in the collection are written in English, with some materials written in Spanish, German, Japanese, Russian, Portuguese, Arabic, and French. These materials are mainly from international organizations that work directly with Humane World for Animals. A large portion of these can be found in Series 7 of the collection.
Humane World for Animals, formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) (1957-2025) and the National Humane Society (1954-1956), is an animal welfare and rights nonprofit organization that was first formed in 1954 by former members of the American Humane Association (AHA). The organization committed itself to preventing cruelty to animals of all kinds as a part of the national animal humane movement. Since 1954, the organization has expanded its operations to include animal rights and welfare advocacy, education, legislation, research, investigation, and field services. Notably, Humane World for Animals has been instrumental in lobbying for federal animal rights and welfare legislation, including the Humane Slaughter Act of 1958, the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966, and the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act of 2006. Additionally, Humane World for Animals increased its focus on disaster relief in the 1970s, becoming a leading relief agency in the United States. For a more comprehensive historical timeline and a list of abbreviations and acronyms for the HSUS, refer to the document available online.
This collection relates to Humane World for Animals’ history (as the Humane Society of the United States) and that of its various affiliates, including Fund for Animals, the Doris Day Animal League, the National Association for the Advancement of Humane and Environmental Education, Humane Society International (now under Humane World for Animals), Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, and the Center for the Respect of Life and the Environment. Since 2005, Humane World for Animals also operates several animal sanctuaries with the Fund for Animals. Starting in 1991, the Humane Society of the United States pursued its global animal rights and welfare work through Humane Society International (HSI) as an international division before merging the divisions under a single name as Humane World for Animals in 2025.
In February 2025, the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International joined together under a new shared name as Humane World for Animals in order to better reflect their global work.
The Humane World for Animals Records (formerly the Humane Society of the United States Records) include original correspondence, publications, animal rights research, legislative files, voting ballots, reports and grants, memorabilia, and photographs dating from 1910, with the bulk of the records from the 1960s to the 2010s. These materials encompass the full range of the organization's activities in promoting the protection of companion animals, farm animals, animals in laboratories, and wildlife. Additionally, the records reflect the organization’s special focus on public policy, humane education, and direct animal care work. Researchers should be advised that SCRC staff has identified materials in the Photographs series that depict animal cruelty and abuse.
The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.
The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.
[Identification of item], Humane World for Animals Records, MC 00674, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Bernard Unti Papers 1932-2018, MC 00513
Doris Day Animal League Records 1978-2006, undated, MC 00651
Tom Regan Papers 1786-2016 (bulk 1966-2006), MC 00236
John Goodwin Collection of Animal Fighting Materials, 1960s - 2020, MC 00727
Gift of the Humane Society of the United States, 2019 September (Accession No. 2019.0263).
Minimally processed by: Taylor Wolford, Laura Lethers, and Phillip McDonald, January-November 2021; machine-readable finding aid created by: Taylor Wolford, Laura Lethers, and Phillip McDonald, November-December 2021; fully processed by Taylor Wolford, Laura Lethers, Gevorg Vardanyan; finding aid updated by: Taylor Wolford, Laura Lethers, January 2022-July 2022; finding aid updated by Gevorg Vardanyan, May 2022-July 2022; Additional Digital materials processed by William Boyer, 2023 August-December ; Additional Digital materials processed by Alexander Daniels, 2024 January; Additional Digital materials processed by William Boyer, 2024 January-November; finding aid updated by Katie Bushman, February 2025. Additional Digital materials processed by William Boyer, February 2025.
Materials physically processed before February 2025 may still reflect the former name of the collection as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Records.
The collection is organized into eleven principal series:
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Copies of digital files may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.
We perform virus scans upon ingest and upon request for access. However, not all virus software profiles will catch all threats, especially newer, not yet recognized ones. The researcher assumes all risk when opening files.
While electronic files are made available to researchers, some files may not open with current software or at all. Researchers may be required to find and use legacy software packages to read files.
Additional conditions may apply.
For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.
Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111
Phone: (919) 515-2273
[Identification of item], Humane World for Animals Records, MC 00674, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.
The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.