Founded in 1954, Humane World for Animals (formerly called Humane Society International and the Humane Society of the United States) is the world’s largest and most trusted animal protection organization. By addressing the systemic and root causes of animal cruelty and suffering, the organization drives sustainable and transformative change for millions of animals worldwide. Through the advancement of animal welfare legislation, rigorous scientific investigations, and public awareness campaigns, Humane World for Animals remains steadfast in its mission to foster a more compassionate and humane world for all species. Its core pillars are: ending the most severe forms of institutionalized animal suffering, including hunting and animal testing; responding to large-scale cruelty cases and disasters worldwide; and strengthening the global movement for effective animal protection.

Humane World for Animals supports Black Beauty Ranch (BBR), a renowned animal sanctuary founded in 1979 by author and animal advocate Cleveland Amory in Murchison, Texas. Spanning over 1,400 acres, BBR provides a permanent, safe haven for nearly 600 domestic and exotic animals, many rescued from research laboratories, circuses, the pet trade, roadside zoos and other circumstances of neglect and cruelty. The sanctuary is dedicated to offering lifelong care to animals who have endured severe neglect, abuse, and exploitation, ensuring the highest standards of welfare and veterinary treatment. The wide range of species and diverse backgrounds of the animals present unique medical and behavioral challenges, which BBR meets with expert care and compassion. Together, Humane World for Animals and Black Beauty Ranch not only provide rescued animals with the best possible lives but also raise public awareness about the systemic cruelty that led them there, advocating for a more humane and informed world.

The overarching goal of Black Beauty Ranch is to ensure each animal enjoys a peaceful, healthy life that closely mirrors their natural existence. Achieving this requires substantial resources and a dedicated team of skilled, compassionate professionals who not only possess species-specific husbandry knowledge but also recognize and respond to the unique needs of individual animals. This begins with collecting comprehensive histories and conducting thorough medical and behavioral assessments, followed by the treatment of urgent conditions and the development of long-term preventative care plans. Core objectives include providing species-appropriate nutrition, medications, and alternative therapies; offering enriching activities and enhanced habitats; and conducting regular quality-of-life evaluations. Success is measured through indicators such as weight gain, the absence of pain, lameness, or distress, and overall improvements in physical condition and well-being.

The Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation (NaEPF) believes that a harmonious relationship between humanity and the planet depends on safeguarding its rich biodiversity, thereby advancing animal welfare and protection. In alignment with this mission, the NaEPF has awarded a three-year grant to Humane World for Animals to support and expand the vital work of Black Beauty Ranch. NaEPF’s support will help cover veterinary expenses, ensuring that more than 600 animals at Black Beauty Ranch receive the highest standard of care.

Humane World for Animals follows a rigorous and well-defined process for admitting animals into the care of Black Beauty Ranch and developing individualized plans to address their medical and behavioral needs. Each request for admission is evaluated through a structured animal intake framework to ensure the Black Beauty Ranch has the necessary resources, expertise, and capacity to provide appropriate care. Upon arrival, all animals undergo a mandatory quarantine period, during which their health and welfare are assessed to protect both the newcomers and the existing residents. Following comprehensive veterinary evaluations, treatment for any injuries or illnesses, and the administration of preventative care, animals who show no signs of disease are gradually introduced to their permanent habitats. For social species, introductions to potential group members are conducted slowly and carefully to assess compatibility and promote well- being. Throughout the acclimation period, and for the entirety of their lives, each animal is monitored daily to ensure they are healthy, comfortable, and thriving. Every resident has a tailored care plan that addresses their specific physical, behavioral, and emotional needs. In addition to routine care, the Black Beauty Ranch performs 4-8 scheduled procedures, such as surgeries, each week and provides urgent medical attention on an almost daily basis.

One story that stands out is that of Elsa, the tiger. In February 2021, a historic freeze swept across Texas, plunging temperatures, crippling the state’s power grid, bursting pipes, and coating roads with ice. Amid the chaos, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office near San Antonio received a troubling call, someone had heard an animal crying outside a neighbor’s home. Deputies responded and found a six-month-old, 75-pound tiger wandering the streets outside San Antonio, Texas. She had rubbed her forehead raw against bars of her cage and lacked even enough straw to keep warm. Acting under a county ordinance that classifies the private ownership of big cats as a misdemeanor, authorities seized the tiger. When Black Beauty Ranch was contacted about Elsa, they immediately stepped in to offer her a permanent home, one where she would no longer be treated as a pet, but allowed to live as a tiger should. Today, Elsa is thriving in sanctuary, where she can climb, swim, and play in a safe environment that mirrors the natural habitat she was meant to inhabit. To help protect other big cats like Elsa, Humane World for Animals actively supported the Big Cat Public Safety Act, a federal law passed in 2022 that prohibits private ownership of big cats in the United States. This landmark legislation represents a critical step toward ending the exploitation of wild animals and ensuring their welfare and safety.