Dear friend,

If you are like most Americans, you care about the welfareand treatment of animals on farms and ranches across thecountry. In an American Humane survey of consumersnationwide, a staggering 95 percent of respondents saidthey were “very concerned” about the welfare of animals inU.S. agriculture.

At American Humane, the country’s first national humaneorganization and the world’s largest certifier of animalwelfare, we share the same concerns and values. In fact,the protection of farm animal welfare was enshrined asone of our founding principles. American Humane wasestablished in 1877 with a mission to ensure the humanetreatment of animals living on farms and ranches acrossthe country. We continue to honor this legacy today withour American Humane Certified farm program, thenation’s first and farthest-reaching third-partycertification effort for farm animal welfare.

American Humane Certified is among the latest in a longlist of “firsts” for us here at American Humane. For morethan 100 years, American Humane has been first inpromoting the welfare and safety of animals, andstrengthening the bond between animals and people. Andwe remain more committed than ever to the pioneeringvalues at the heart and soul of our identity: For 140 years,American Humane has strived to be the first to serve,whenever and wherever animals are in need of rescue,shelter, protection, or security.

Take, for example, American Humane Rescue, a lifesavingprogram which—like American Humane Certified—wascreated as a groundbreaking “first” in the humanemovement. Our rescue program was born in the battle-worn European trenches of World War I, where, at the

request of then-U.S. Secretary of War Newton D. Baker,American Humane Rescue’s first responders deployed toprovide emergency relief services to the tens of thousandsof war horses wounded—and, far too often, tragicallykilled—on the frontlines of combat. In his letter, SecretaryBaker implored American Humane “to undertake the workof doing for Army animals in World War I what theAmerican Red Cross is doing for soldiers.” AmericanHumane was the first to answer this call—and thecountless others to follow—on behalf of our nation’sanimals, whether creating American Humane Certified, thecountry’s first farm animal welfare certification effort, orlaunching the world’s first independent, third-party certification program singularly dedicated tothe welfare of animals living under humane care in zoosand aquariums.

Today, I’m excited to unveil yet another “first” for AmericanHumane: This will be American Humane’s first newsletter—of many more to come—centered specifically on ourAmerican Humane Certified program and the issuesimpacting farm animals across the country and around theworld. The following pages will introduce you to theAmerican Humane Certified program and share some ofour latest victories in the space to show you how far we’vecome thanks to the generous support of compassionatefarmers and friends like you. Along the way, you’ll learn alittle more about American Humane’s storied history as thecountry’s first national humane organization through aseries of snapshots of our latest lifesaving work, whichcontinues to take us wherever there are innocent animals,whenever they’re in need.

Sincerely,

American Humane Certified™NEWSLETTER

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American Humane: First to Serve

Who We AreAMERICAN HUMANE, the country’s oldestnational humane organization,headquartered in Washington, is committedto ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of animals. For 140 years, AmericanHumane has been first in promoting thewelfare and safety of animals andstrengthening the bond between animalsand people. We are first to serve, wheneverand wherever animals are in need of rescue,shelter, or protection.

American Humane’s leadership programsserve over one billion animals every year. Our lifesaving workincludes five core programs:

Military: A national military affairs center dedicated to supportingour veterans, including both American service members and themilitary working dogs working alongside U.S. troops in combat.

Agriculture: A third-party certification program to protect thewelfare of farm and ranch animals, and provide ongoing educationon humane animal agriculture to consumers and farmers alike.

Conservation: An independent, third-party certification program toelevate and verify the welfare of animals living in zoos andaquariums worldwide.

Rescue: An emergency first-response team to rescue animals intimes of crisis, including natural disasters and large-scale crueltycases.

Humane Hollywood: Our iconic “No Animals Were Harmed”certification program to protect animal actors in television and filmproduction.

Where We Come FromWe are proud of our long, storied history, which includes arich tradition of protecting farm animal welfare. AmericanHumane, the country’s first national humane organization,turned 140 years old in 2017. In honor of this specialmilestone, here’s a look at some of our favorite momentsand successes over the years on behalf of innocent animalsin need.

1877: Representatives from humane organizationsacross the country come together to found AmericanHumane, the first national humane organization in UnitedStates. American Humane is created to promote the humanetreatment of animals, with a particular emphasis on farmanimal welfare. Ensuring the humane transport of livestockon trains becomes American Humane’s first goal.

1886: American Humane calls for federal legislationbanning excessive cattle branding.

1887: American Humane addresses the inhumaneovercrowding of poultry cages.

1916: Responding to an urgent requestfrom the U.S. Secretary of War, AmericanHumane sends emergency medical supplies,ambulances, and volunteer veterinarians tothe frontlines of World War I, where our firstresponders care for an average of 68,000wounded horses each month.

1945: American Humane launches anew program to provide healing therapy dogsto recovering veterans wounded in World WarII.

1969: American Humane championedthe passage of the Endangered SpeciesConservation Act to protect animals in dangerof worldwide extinction.

1972: American Humane issued its firstNo Animals Were Harmed end credit to themovie The Doberman Gang.

1975: American Humane partnered withthe National Livestock Dealers Associationand the American Trucking Association in acollaboration aimed at making thetransportation of livestock in trucks morehumane.

1995: AmericanHumane was the onlyhumane group to serve onthe federal advisory boardtasked with developing the"Guide for the Care and Useof Agricultural Animals inResearch and Teaching,"which outlines federalguidelines and bestpractices for the humanetreatment of farm animalsunder human care invarious settings.

2000: American Humane launchedthe American Humane Certified program, thecountry’s first third-party welfare certificationeffort for farm animals.

2001: In the wake of the 9/11 terroristattacks on the World Trade Center, AmericanHumane delivered emergency supplies andequipment to New York City and helped carefor the 300 search-and-rescue dogssearching for survivors in the rubble.

2011: American Humane created theannual Hero Dog Awards campaign to honorordinary dogs across the country doingextraordinary things to help theircommunities.

2013: American Humane quintupledthe number of animals protected under theAmerican Humane Certified program, from200 million to almost one billion animalscertified under our care.

2016: American Humane launched theAmerican Humane Conservation program tocertify the humane treatment of animals livingin zoos and aquariums around the world.

2017: In response to the explosion ofcage-free egg commitments across thefoodservice industry, American Humanehosted a symposium on cage-free eggs in thenation’s capital.

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What We DoAmerican Humane Certified is a voluntary,third-party certification program providingindependent verification that certifiedproducers meet our evidence-basedstandards of humane animal care. Theprogram upholds rigorous, science-basedguidelines developed in collaboration with thebest and brightest minds in the fields ofanimal welfare, ethics, and everything inbetween. Our American Humane Certifiedstandards are centered on the internationallyaccepted Five Freedoms of animal welfare, aguiding set of basic conditions that must bemet for the physical and mental welfare of ananimal, including: Freedom from hunger and

thirst; Freedom from discomfort; Freedomfrom pain, injury, and disease; Freedom toexpress normal and natural behavior (that is,allowing laying hens, for example, to nest androost); and Freedom from fear and distress.

American Humane’s independent scientificadvisory committee of world-renownedexperts—including veterinarians, scientists,researchers, animal behaviorists, ethicists,and more—help develop and constantlyupdate these standards, ensuring theAmerican Humane Certified program alwaysreflects the latest scientific knowledge andthe best practices in the field. The result is abody of hundreds of evidence-basedstandards—encompassing everything fromair quality to adequate space and light—to

AMERICAN HUMANE IS THRILLED to announce theappointment of Dr. Janet Helms as the new nationaldirector of our American Humane Certified programdedicated to farm animal welfare. Dr. Helms is apassionate animal lover who has dedicated her entireprofessional career to the protection of animals. Prior toher new role in our American Humane family, Dr. Helmsserved in various veterinary roles improving herd careand management on dairy farms both big and small. Dr.Helms earned an undergraduate degree in AnimalScience from Cornell University and her Doctor ofVeterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota’sCollege of Veterinary Medicine. Read on to learn morewhy, in her own words, Dr. Helms’ decided to leavedaily life on the farm behind and journey across thecountry to lead the American Humane Certifiedprogram from our Washington headquarters.

I’ve spent my professional career working toimprove the lives of farm animals: beef cattle, dairycattle, goats, sheep, and hogs were all under mywatchful eye as I provided technical expertise forZoetis, the world’s largest animal health company,as well as my own large animal practice. Many ofmy days were spent mucking around farms acrossthe country, and I own more pairs of manure-stained coveralls than I care to admit. In short, youcould say I’m passionate about the agricultureindustry and the collective issues that we face.

Throughout my time in agriculture and foodproduction, I’ve noticed a change in consumerbehavior: in particular, a growing demand forhumanely raised products. Today’s consumers aremore concerned about farm animal welfare thanever before—in a recent American Humane surveyof 5,900 Americans, 94 percent claimed to be“very concerned” about the issue, in fact—anumber up from 89 percent the prior year.

Small and large farms, and anything in between,are responding to the public’s growing concern byadopting higher standards of animal welfare. Withless than two percent of the country’s populationexposed to the agriculture industry growing up,

What We BelieveAT AMERICAN HUMANE, we believe everyfarm animal deserves to be raised andhandled with compassion and respect. Wealso believe families should be able to findhumanely raised dairy, meat, and eggproducts that are both safe and affordable.That’s why we created American HumaneCertified, the nation’s first farm animal welfarecertification. Today, American Humane isproud to help verify the welfare of some one billion animals every year.

American Humane Certified is founded on theprinciple that farm animal welfare should begrounded in scientific research and provenbest practices,enforced throughthird-partyverification. Ourprogram isdesigned to ensurefarms both big andsmall can achievethe same standardof compassionatecare that all farmanimals deserve.That’s why our program includes welfarestandards for a wide range of animalspecies—from chickens to cows, turkeys,ducks, and even bison—and certifies adiverse range of humane farming systems,allowing us to help protect even more animalsin need. We work closely with the responsiblefarmers across the country who are on thefrontlines of animal welfare, offering ourguidance and experienced support to helpenlightened producers continue to implementthe humane standards consumers andretailers demand, and farm animals deserve.

American Humane Certifiedprovide comprehensive farm animal welfare.For added protection, compliance withAmerican Humane Certified is verified throughcomprehensive third-part auditing.

Here’s how it works: When an interestedproducer applies to be reviewed forcertification under American HumaneCertified, they’ll be connected to a member ofour American Humane farm team who willguide them through the process from start tofinish. In these early conversations, AmericanHumane assesses the applicant’s existingpractices and welfare standards to identifyany gaps between their operation and therigorous parameters of the American HumaneCertified label.

With hundreds of American Humane Certifiedstandards for a dozen different species andhousing systems, producers often don’t meetall of our requirements when they first inquireabout certification. In such instances, ourexpert team works closely with the applicantto provide insights and recommendations tohelp farmers elevate their standards asneeded to adhere to the extensive AmericanHumane Certified standards. Then, the nextstep is a thorough on-site inspection of theentire operation. A team of independent thirdparty auditors—professionally trained,experienced experts in their respectivefields—conducts an exhaustive review of thefarm to assess its compliance with AmericanHumane Certified standards. These auditorsinspect everything from environmentalconditions—temperature, lighting, air quality,ventilation, and more—to the behaviors andsocial interactions of the farm animals.Producers must pass this rigorous, multi-stepauditing process to earn the right to bear theAmerican Humane Certified seal. To ensurecertified producers maintain our standards,American Humane conducts regular on-siteevaluations, and reserves the right to performan unannounced audit in order to confirm thatthe operation is upholding our high standardsof animal welfare and care.

Meet Our LeadersImproving the Lives of Animals with Help of a New Friend

however, there is still too-wide of a marginallowing confusion and distrust to growbetween producer and consumer.

While some producers have chosen tointrospectively analyze their humanepractices, self-reporting their welfareachievements is fundamentally biased andoffers less than enough validity for theever-inquisitive consumer. Third-partyvalidation by a trusted organization withverifiable and impartial science-basedstandards can do much more to earn theconfidence that a producer is meeting the

high levels of humane animal care rightly demanded by the modern public.American Humane is an early adopter of this viewpoint and continues to be aleader in the field.

Before I was appointed as national director of the farm program at AmericanHumane, my life’s work was based in veterinary science, so it should come as nosurprise that I gravitate toward science-based standards, like these. Not only dothe American Humane Certified standards—and the program—provideconsumers with a peek behind farmer’s barn doors, but they also are simplywhat is best for the animals.

After all, the program’s standards were built upon the Five Freedoms of AnimalWelfare: Freedom from hunger and thirst; Freedom from discomfort; Freedomfrom pain, injury, and disease; Freedom to express normal and natural behavior;and Freedom from fear and distress. While the average consumer may notnecessarily be familiar with these Freedoms, the public’s growing concern withanimal welfare seems to support them—and I know their purchasing power iscertain to follow. With the industry on the cusp of seemingly inevitable change,it’s now more important than ever to shine a positive light on the industry’s bestplayers, which legitimate certification programs like American Humane Certifiedseek to do.

I’m grateful that my new position here at American Humane gives me theopportunity to do exactly that: Our certification program shines a positive light onthe ethics-driven producers who are doing things right. American HumaneCertified recognizes and applauds the very best, compassionate producers, whileat the same time urging—and guiding—those with less-stringent protocols toimprove their animal welfare standards. I couldn’t be prouder to do this importantwork to support the humane, responsible farmers I so admire, while at the sametime pursuing my passions and protecting the farm animals I love.

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FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY, millions ofAmericans have come together during thefirst full week of May to show theircompassion and build a more humaneworld for animals during AmericanHumane’s “Be Kind to Animals Week,”one of the oldest special weeklongobservances in U.S. history. AmericanHumane first established “Be Kind toAnimals Week” in 1915 with the launch ofnational poster contest for children, whocreated and distributed artwork withmessages encouraging their communitiesto treat animals with empathy andrespect. The commemorative week hassince taught generations of Americans theenduring value of caring for our animalfriends as the longest-running, most-successful humane education campaignin national history.

Over the years, “Be Kind to AnimalsWeek” has earned the support ofeveryone from U.S. President Warren G.Harding, who gave the week an officialproclamation in 1922, to darling ShirleyTemple, great American cowboy JohnWayne, comedy legend Carol Burnett,television icon Betty White, and cinemaidol Clint Eastwood. First Lady EleanorRoosevelt also advocated for “Be Kind toAnimals Week” from the White House, asdid U.S. President Bill Clinton, whomarked the occasion during his first yearin office, declaring: “We celebrate thisweek in order to remember the manyways that animals help us.”

But there’s still more to be done. That’swhy, to celebrate “Be Kind to AnimalsWeek,” American Humane offers a seriesof engaging educational resources—

including lesson plans and activitiesranging from preschool-level all the wayto fifth grade—to help school teachers,parents, and mentors teach children thevalue of kindness to animals.

During this special weeklong event,American Humane also challenges peopleof every age to take our annual KindnessPledge, vowing to show their compassionfor animals—including those raised onfarms and ranches—all year long. Tocommemorate the 2017 “Be Kind toAnimals Week,” American Humane’sannual Kindness Pledge asked animallovers to take four simple daily steps tobuild a better world for animals. The firstpledge? Promising to buy only humanelyraised American Humane Certifiedproducts. Here’s our Kindness Pledgechallenge asking everyone to supportfarm animal welfare:

“I believe in kindness andcompassion for all animals, and thatall animals are entitled to humanetreatment. I will be kind to animals allyear round by buying humanelyraised products. I will seek out eggs,meat, and dairy products that arehumanely raised, such as AmericanHumane Certified™ products,helping to ensure the welfare of 10billion farm animals.”

Together, through humane education andcompassion, we can build a kinder worldfor animals on farms, ranches, andbeyond. To learn more about AmericanHumane’s Be Kind to Animals Week andtake our Kindness Pledge, please visitwww.kindness100.org.

A Feather in Our Cap:Meet Joy Mench

AMERICAN HUMANE RELIES on a scientific advisorycommittee of world-leading veterinarians, animalscientists, and ethicists to help guide the AmericanHumane Certified program and our rigorous,evidence-based welfare standards. Meet Joy Mench,PhD, a member of this distinguished group and partour American Humane Certified family of passionateanimal advocates and experts.

ONE OF THE MOST RADICAL transformationsin American food production is currentlyunderway in the egg industry, where cage-free eggs are ruling the roost after the recentexplosion in popularity. In recent years, awave of companies have committed toconverting entirely to cage-free eggs. Thisincludes about 100 grocery chains, 60restaurant chains, and dozens of other majorfood businesses that have pledged to switchto cage-free eggs in the next decade,according to the U.S. Department ofAgriculture, collectively representing anestimated 70 percent of the U.S. eggdemand. For comparison, cage-free eggscurrently account for about only 10 percent ofall eggs sold.

The sweeping shift towards cage-free eggs isan encouraging sign of changing marketvalues and the ever-rising tide of mainstreamsupport for humanely raised food. However, italso raises important questions andchallenges for consumers, retailers, andAmerican egg farmers. As the country entersthis new era of cage-free eggs, AmericanHumane is educating consumers and eggproducers alike about the humane choicesavailable, while also continuing our efforts toencourage and help provide humanely raisedeggs and other food products that are bothsafe and affordable to Americans.

Which came first, the chicken or thecage-free egg?

The rate of cage-free egg productioncontinues to soar as more and more eggproducers and foodservice companies startthe process of converting to completely cage-free systems. However, going completelycage-free is easier said than done, especiallyfor American egg farmers caring for largeflocks of hens—the businesses distributingegg products that feed millions of families

each and every day. All of this is done withthe safety and security of the food supply inmind, and the health and welfare of the hens.And both on the farm and in the foodproduction chain, switching to cage-free eggsdemands a lot more planning, money, andlogistical engineering than consumers mightexpect. As they navigate the cage-freemovement, complicated questions abouteverything from housing to hen health andegg prices are leaving farmers and retailersfeeling scrambled. What is the accepteddefinition and standard for cage-free eggs?How and when should interested farmerstransition to cage-free production? And whatare the best practices in animal welfare whenthey do?

Joy is a professor emeritus in theDepartment of Animal Science at theUniversity of California, Davis, where shealso served as director of the school’sCenter for Animal Welfare until herretirement in 2016. In her more than 30 years of service as a teacher andresearcher, Joy lent her expertise to theagriculture and foodservice industries,while also helping inspire and educatestudents, colleagues, and the public aboutanimal behavior and ethics. She hasserved on numerous farm and animalwelfare committees and boards, includingthe animal welfare advisory committees ofMaple Leaf Farms, the United EggProducers, McDonald's, Safeway, theFood Marketing Institute, and the NationalCouncil of Chain Restaurants.

American Humane Certified was honoredto welcome Joy onto our scientificadvisory committee in 2010, where shecontinues to offer invaluable insights andexpertise, and plays a particularlyinfluential role in shaping our rigorousstandards for the welfare of chickens andegg-laying hens. Joy is a notable poultrybehaviorist and the very deservingrecipient of prestigious academic andindustry awards, including the highlycompetitive Poultry Science AssociationPoultry Welfare Research Award, whichhonors top leaders in the field. She bringsan infectious spirit, warm smile, anddecades of specialized professionalexperience and research to ourcertification program, ensuring AmericanHumane Certified is always on thefrontlines of the humane movement,representing the very best in cutting-edgefarm animal welfare.

American Humane would like to extendour deepest thanks to Joy for her inspiringcommitment to animals, and everythingshe has done and continues to do toprotect them. Her ongoing service andsupport as a member of our scientificadvisory committee is something all of usat American Humane are so proud tocrow about!

Be Kind to Farm Animals Scientist Spotlight Animal Welfare, Sunny-Side UpEgging on Kinder Eggs and Happier HensPledging to Buy

American Humane Certified

Learning Compassion on the FarmCELEBRATED AMERICAN ACTORBruce Boxleitner—who starred in theEmmy-Award winning 1980s televisionseries, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, andplayed the title role in both the originalsci-fi cult classic TRON (1982) as wellas the film’s modern-day sequel(2010)—was named chair of AmericanHumane’s “Be Kind to Animals Week”in 1985. At the time, Boxleitner, whogrew up on an Illinois dairy farm, wasliving on a ranch north of Hollywoodwith his family and their belovedhorses. “Living a rancher’s life teaches[my son] responsibility towards allliving creatures,” he said.

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American Humane stepped up tospearhead a collaborative new effort tohelp crack these cage-free challenges,calling upon our experience and expertiseas the nation’s largest certifier of cage-freeeggs, with about 90 percent of cage-freeeggs in the U.S. sold under our AmericanHumane Certified seal of approval. To kickoff this egg-citing initiative, AmericanHumane hosted a symposium on cage-free eggs at our headquarters inWashington, D.C. Dozens ofrepresentatives from restaurants, foodcompanies, the farming community, andmore flocked to the nation’s capital todiscuss and develop strategies to build abright and humane future for cage-freeegg production. The symposium markedonly the first of many important steps inour campaign to advance the cage-freemovement and improve the lives of egg-laying hens and millions of other farmanimals across the country. AmericanHumane is proud to continue our legacy ofthought leadership and innovation inagriculture with this new campaign tosupport and shape the future of humanecage-free egg production. With positive,productive collaboration, humane eggproduction and other responsible,compassionate farming practices will keepsoaring to new heights.

Don’t forget the other good eggs

At American Humane, we believe peopleshould be able to find humanely raiseddairy, meat, and egg products that areboth safe and affordable. While this does,of course, include American HumaneCertified cage-free eggs, conscientiousconsumers should know that there areother humane choices for eggs, too. Forexample, American Humane also certifiespasture and free-range housing options,which give hens the freedom to roamoutdoors during the day in safe andstimulating natural environments.

American Humane Certified standards forthese housing systems include rigorousmeasures to protect hen health andwelfare. Farmers must, for instance,ensure their flocks have plenty of accessto shade to stay cool and comfortable, andtake diligent precautions to protectvulnerable hens from pests and other wildpredators. They must also provide coveredareas where the flock can take shelter inbad weather and at night, when mosthens, due to their natural instincts, preferto settle down indoors where they feelmost secure and comfortable.

American Humane also certifies whatfarmers call the “enriched colony housingsystem,” a humane alternative forreasonably priced eggs in which smallflocks of birds move about freely withspace to roam, peck, and scratch.American Humane Certified standardsrequire farmers raising hens in this type ofhousing to provide stimulatingenvironments with chicken-specificenrichments that allow and encourage theflock to engage in natural behaviors, suchas elevated perches where hens can roostwith their flock mates and nesting boxeswhere the birds can feel comfortable andsecure while satisfying their naturalnesting instincts—things that let hens behens to keep them happy and healthy.

As the volume of cage-free egg productioncontinues to soar and our nationalconversation about humane farmingpractices continues, American Humane isurging compassionate shoppers toremember that cage-free isn’t the onlyoption serving animal welfare, sunny-sideup. When you see the American HumaneCertified label on eggs—whether cage-free, enriched colony housing, free-rangeor pasture—you can be assured that thatthey’ve come from a humane farm thatmeets our high standard of transparent,objective animal welfare.

Egging on Kinder Eggs and Happier Hens Supporting OurTroopsHarnessing theHealing Power of theHuman-Animal BondFOR SOME OF OUR HEROIC military servicemembers, the return home from war is onlythe beginning of another daunting battle.Every year, thousands of American veteransare diagnosed with combat-related Post-Traumatic Stress, resulting in a devastatingnumber of deaths. Harnessing the healingpowers of the human-animal bond, speciallytrained service dogs can offer life-changing—and often lifesaving—support tothese courageous wounded warriors.American Humane has supported the U.S.military for over a century. Today, wecontinue to honor this long legacy throughour commitment to putting healing leashesin the hands of every veteran in need.

From Shelter to Service

American Humane recently launched a newShelter to Service program, which rescueshomeless pets from animal shelters acrossthe country and trains them to becomelifesaving service dogs for Americanveterans. American Humane provides theseservice dogs—typically costing as much as$30,000 each to train—to veterans in need,at no personal cost to the recipient. In July,American Humane was honored to celebratethe first-ever class of U.S. military veteransand service dogs to graduate from ourShelter to Service program, saving lives onboth ends of the leash. Let’s meet theseinspiring pairs of American military heroesand their new service dogs.

John was living in the Shanksville,Pennsylvania area when Flight 93 crashedthere during the terror attacks on September11. One of the first responders to the crashsite, John enlisted in the Marines anddeployed to Iraq, where he survived 21 IEDexplosions and fought in Operation PhantomFury, considered the fiercest fight U.S. troopshave faced since the Vietnam War. AmericanHumane paired John with Oliver, a one-year-old male mixed breed who was surrenderedby his owner to a shelter in Colorado. “I havefriends who have benefited from a servicedog, so I’m hopeful that Oliver will help mecope and adjust as well,” said John. “My dogwill give me some company, instead of sittingin my house alone.”

Cassandra is a retired Army specialist whoserved with U.S. troops overseas in Kuwaitduring the Gulf War’s Operation DesertShield. Louie is a one-and-a-half-year-oldmixed breed with beautiful tiger striping.Animal control picked up Louie as a stray in Oklahoma and placed him in a local animal shelter. “When I think of receiving myservice dog, the first thing that comes tomind is freedom,” said Cassandra. “Just thatone word.”

Chris is an Army veteran who was part of theU.S. invasion of Iraq from the very beginningin 2003. He proudly calls military service “thefamily business.” American Humane pairedhim with Lex, a one-and-a-half-year-old maleLabradoodle who was selected from ananimal shelter located within a correctionalinstitute in Louisiana where he was initiallytrained and socialized by inmates. “Getting myservice dog has been a life changer,” saidChris. “My dog gives me something positive tofocus on.”

John and OliverCassandra and Louie

Chris and Lex

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AMERICAN HUMANE IS PROUD to certifyleading foodservice brands across thecountry, using our trusted American HumaneCertified seal of approval to shine a spotlighton the enlightened producers committed tothe values of animal welfare andtransparency. Let’s take a closer look at thefaces and farms behind one of thesecompassionate producers: Butterball, LLC, ahousehold brand synonymous with all thingsturkey, headquartered in the charmingcommunity of Garner, North Carolina.

Meet Butterball

A Humane Foodservice Leader: Butterballis the largest producer of turkey products inthe country, producing more than one billionpounds of American Humane Certified turkeyeach year. For more than 60 years, Butterballhas been a leader and innovator in the turkeyindustry, with the company’s high-quality,humanely raised products today distributedthroughout the U.S. and in more than 45countries around the world.

Bringing People Together: Whether thecenterpiece of a holiday celebration or thelunchmeat in the sandwich you make lovinglyfor your kids each day, turkey has a way ofbringing people together. So it’s only fittingthat facilitating these special experiences andbonds is part of the mission at Butterball,which strives to “provide great-tasting foodsthat inspire joyful experiences.” Perhapsnowhere is the authenticity of these valuesand the company’s emphasis on relationshipsmore evident than in Butterball’s network offamily-owned farms—the place where it allbegins. The Butterball turkeys living on thesefarms are humanely raised by hardworkingfamilies who care for their animals every day,rain or shine, according to our science-basedAmerican Humane Certified standards.

Supporting Humane Leadershipin the Nation’s CapitalLOUD MOOS, OINKS, SQUAWKS AND QUACKS are filling the Halls ofCongress as America’s farm animals descend upon the nation’scapital to advise lawmakers and encourage them to build a morehumane world for their herds, flocks, and broods. Okay, well, maybenot really the animals themselves. American Humane has long been a voice for animals on Capitol Hill—and lately, our voice has growneven louder than ever before.

American Humane is proud to speak up for animals as their advocatein the national dialogue surrounding animal-related policies andlaws—important conversations in which voiceless, vulnerableanimals often need us the most. That’s why American Humanerecently brought on a new government affairs firm, The LivingstonGroup, to expand our role as an advocate for animals in Washington.The Livingston Group, recognized as one of the most respectedbipartisan government relations firms in the nation’s capital, isrepresenting American Humane on Capitol Hill, where we’readvocating for animal welfare and educating lawmakers aboutopportunities to protect and improve the lives of animals underhuman care, including the hundreds of millions of farm animalsinvolved in U.S. food production. With help from The Livingston Group,American Humane has continued to aggressively expand theCongressional Caucus for the Humane Bond, a bipartisan caucusdevoted to promoting American Humane’s rigorous, science-basedapproach to animal welfare and humane agriculture on Capitol Hill.The Caucus for the Humane Bond has grown to now include 44members of U.S. Congress, six of whom currently sit on the HouseCommittee on Agriculture, where they play influential roles in shapingfederal food and farming policies.

Washington Update On the FarmTalking Turkey: Animal Welfare Soaring at Butterball

Protecting Animals and Making HistoryTogether: American Humane and Butterballteamed up more than five years ago toaccomplish an important milestone in thegrowth of the American Humane Certifiedprogram. Butterball committed to meetingsome 200 evidence-based standards tobecome American Humane Certified, with theambitious goal of eventually having allButterball products carry our respected sealof approval. After a comprehensive, two-yearaudit of the company’s system-wideoperations, Butterball achieved certificationunder American Humane Certified, becomingthe very first turkey producer to do so.

We’re pleased to report Butterball has sincemaintained this prestigious distinction,continuing to uphold American HumaneCertified standards, with compliance verifiedthrough regular third-party audits and on-siteinspections.

To Buy Humane, Choose Butterball:Compassionate consumers can feel confidentin knowing all Butterball products areAmerican Humane Certified—with noshortage of humanely raised options tochoose from! Butterball’s offerings span awide range of products, all starting with onething: Delicious, high-quality AmericanHumane Certified turkey that feeds yourfamily, as well as your heart. Butterballselections include everything from wholeturkeys and deli meat to turkey meatballs,sausage, bacon, burgers, and more. Forproducts promising to taste good and feelgood, too, look for Butterball and otherproducts bearing our American HumaneCertified seal.

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THE AMERICAN HUMANE HERO DOG AWARDS is ourannual campaign to search out and recognize ordinarydogs who do extraordinary things for their communities,from the top dogs working alongside the country’smilitary service members, law enforcement officers,and firefighters to keep us all safe, to the service andtherapy dogs who offer comfort and healing to peoplein need. Each fall, American Humane flies the four-legged finalists in eight different categories toHollywood with their human counterparts for a star-studded, heartwarming awards gala, sponsored by theLois Pope LIFE Foundation and broadcast as two-hour,better-grab-the-tissues television special on theHallmark Channel.

The 2016 American Humane Hero Dog Awards wasmade possible thanks to the generous support of CloverStornetta (now Clover Sonoma) Farms, the official Moo-tastic sponsor of the “Guide and Hearing Dog” category.Clover Sonoma’s very own bovine mascot, Clo, waseven spotted strutting down the red carpet—andmilking it for the cameras—at the Hero Dog Awardsgala in Hollywood.

Third-generation family owned and operated CloverSonoma, based in California’s beautiful Sonoma County,was the first dairy operation in the U.S. to earn our

American Humane Certified seal of approval. As theMoo-tastic sponsor of the 2016 American HumaneHero Dog Awards, Clover Sonoma helped AmericanHumane introduce the nation to Hook, a special poochwith a moo-ving story who was named the four-leggedfinalist in the “Guide and Hearing Dog” field. The sweetChihuahua and Jack Russell terrier mix is an inspiringreminder that sometimes, the best—and bravest—things come in the smallest packages.

Hook is a faithful assistance dog who always keeps hishearing-impaired handler safe. One day, when the pairwas crossing a busy intersection in Sacramento,California, during rush hour, Hook courageously pushedhis handler out of the way of an oncoming train, whichshe says missed her by mere inches. “He’s my bestfriend,” she said, describing Hook. “He saved my life.”As a Hero Dog Awards finalist, Hook and his humancompanion won a $2,500 donation to Guide DogFoundation for the Blind, their charity partner of choice.

A big thank you to our Moo-tastic sponsor, CloverSonoma, for honoring and supporting the animals in ourlives—from the cows raised with compassion onClover’s American Humane Certified™ dairies in thehills of Sonoma County, to Hook and his fellow HeroDogs in Sacramento and beyond!

“AMERICA” IS IN OUR NAME, but our mission atAmerican Humane as the first to serve animals,whenever and wherever they are in need, is one thatcalls us to every corner of the world to be a voice forthe vulnerable. American Humane was proud to shareour compassionate, evidence-based approach to farmanimal welfare to an international audience ofagricultural leaders at the 2016 World Dairy Summit inthe Netherlands, hosted by the Netherlands NationalCommittee of the International Dairy Federation, whichrepresents the global dairy sector and advocates forhigh-quality food production guided by rigorousscientific expertise.

The theme of the 2016 Summit was “Dare to Dairy,” amessage encouraging the global dairy sector to engagein a productive dialogue to find innovative solutions tothe evolving challenges of modern dairy farming. Dr.Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of AmericanHumane, delivered a keynote address at the Summitbefore an international audience of over 1,000 dairyleaders from all over the world. Her remarks, entitled,“Are Cows Treated Well Enough?” encouraged dairyproducers everywhere to raise their animals underindependently verified, scientifically based welfarestandards. For a taste of how American Humane andthe Dutch do dairy, throw on a pair of Holland’s famouswooden clogs and check out this excerpt from Dr.Ganzert’s keynote address in the Netherlands.

Humane Leadership Around the WorldDare to Dairy, the Humane Way

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For 140 years, American Humane, the first national humane organization in theUnited States, has worked closely with farmers, ranchers, and animal welfareadvocates to develop and implement more humane standards in food production.Research shows consumers overwhelmingly support these efforts: More than nine inten respondents (95 percent) in our latest Humane Heartland Farm Animal Surveysaid they were “very concerned” about farm animal welfare. Over three-quarters (76percent) of survey participants were also very willing to pay more for humanely raisedeggs, meat and dairy products. And in ranking of the importance of food labels,“humanely raised” scored highest. Interestingly, however, more than half ofrespondents (55 percent) reported that products branded humanely raised wereeither not available (36 percent) or too expensive (19 percent).

The challenge is now figuring out how stakeholders can satisfy this growing demandfor humane food products in an affordable, efficient, and defensible way. That’s whyAmerican Humane established our American Humane Certified program, the first-ever U.S. farm animal welfare certification effort, which now covers more than onebillion animals.

Science-based policy is at the center of the American Humane Certified program,which enforces commonsense and attainable, albeit rigorous, welfare standards toensure and verify humane practices.

Unlike other welfare accreditation efforts, which tend to cover few animals and alimited number of farm practices, American Humane Certified verifies a spectrum ofhumane choices. This comprehensive approach ensures that humane foodproduction is more affordable for producers and consumers alike, while alsomaximizing the number of protected, certified farm animals.

Our emphasis on evidence-based measures—verified through independent, third-party auditing—also provides additional assurance to increasingly skepticalconsumers. A 2015 Gallup poll found that only 9 percent of Americans trustcorporations a “great deal,” while a mere 12 percent trust Big Business “quite a lot.”Millennials in particular have a high distrust of institutions from Wall Street to themedia to the government, according to Harvard’s Institute of Politics.

Third-party certification is the best way for dairy companies to earn and maintain thattrust. According to a 2011 survey from the Food and Drug Administration and othergovernment agencies, consumers have a “high positive attitude” toward certified foodproducts. The national survey also found that a majority of Americans believe they aresafer than their non-certified counterparts.

As the industry continues to embrace humane food production moving forward,positive collaboration and third-party welfare certification will ensure that theenlightened stakeholders who “Dare to Dairy” in a humane way will be recognizedand rewarded for their ethics-driven commitment.

Honoring Top DogsHoly Cow! That’s One Heroic Hound

AMERICAN HUMANE CERTIFIED NEWS 2017 AMERICAN HUMANE 1514 AMERICAN HUMANE AMERICAN HUMANE CERTIFIED NEWS 2017

AMERICAN HUMANE STRIVES to always be the first to serve when catastrophesstrike, endangering vulnerable animals in need of emergency rescue, shelter, andcare. From natural disasters to animal cruelty investigations, American Humane ison the frontlines protecting animals in times of crisis. This work often takes us tofarms and ranches across the country, whether we’re helping communitiesprepare or respond to large-scale disasters, or helping local law enforcementrespond to large-scale cases of farm animal abuse.

Rescuing the Animal Victims of Disasters

American Humane’s rescue units are stationed across the country to ensure aswift response whenever and wherever animals are in crisis. Our first responderstravel the nation with a fleet of specially equipped rescue vehicles—includingAmerican Humane’s flagship 82-foot “Rescue Rig”—which are all fully outfittedwith lifesaving emergency supplies for every condition. Our Rescue Rig is evenfurnished with a mobile operating theater and state-of-the-art command centerenabling vital communication and coordination during major disasters.

Using these rescue vehicles as operating bases, American Humane deploys to thesites of severe floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes, among other natural disasters,where our first responders work tirelessly on the ground to locate, shelter, andprovide veterinary care to vulnerable animals in need.

Building Safer Communities for Farm Animals

Local animal shelters and law enforcement agencies regularly request supportfrom American Humane in responding to natural disasters and large-scale animalcruelty investigations. American Humane also helps communities plan for thesecrises through training courses and other educational resources offered on animal-related disaster preparedness and emergency response. While first responders areoften adept at caring for pets, far fewer have the experience and knowledgenecessary to handle large animals, like the horses and livestock living on farmsacross the country that also need help in times of crisis. That’s why AmericanHumane Rescue regularly providesanimal rescue courses to first-response groups across the countrythat specifically include training onlarge-animal behaviors and handling.These vital training efforts helpsensure American farmers and theanimals living under their care haveaccess to the emergency services andlifesaving support they need whendisasters strike.

First to Serve Animals in Crisis

Saving the Animal Victimsof the Louisiana FloodIn August 2016, as the record flood waters rosein Louisiana, our rescue team rushed to the heartof the devastation to help the animal victims ofthe catastrophe, now considered the worstnatural disaster to strike the United States since“Superstorm Sandy” in 2012.

American Humane Rescue deployed a team oftrained first responders and two of our 50-footemergency vehicles to hard-hit Livingston Parish,where the floods destroyed three in every fourhomes. Our emergency first responders workedtirelessly to provide emergency veterinary careand attention; distribute food, medicine andsupplies; and manage the day-to-day operationsat local shelters, where American HumaneRescue housed hundreds of animals in need. Theanimals under our care during the Louisianarescue mission included beloved dogs and catsseparated from their owners, as well as a fewanimal friends rescued from local farms andranches. Our first responders, for example,resourcefully crafted a makeshift coop to houseseveral chickens in need of emergency shelter.American Humane Rescue even took anenormous hog, affectionately dubbed Sam, whoquickly charmed our team and eagerly turnedwhat was previously an outdoor dog kennel intohis own muddy, personal pigsty.

Rescue Tails Honors and AwardsAMERICAN HUMANE IS HONORED to receive worldwide recognition for our lifesaving missionand leadership. Check out some of the most recent distinctions and selective awardsbestowed upon American Humane for our commitment to fiscal responsibility, innovation, andintegrity.

Executive LeadershipDr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane, is recognized as one of thenation’s top nonprofit executives, bringing more than two decades of visionary leadership inglobal philanthropy and fiscal responsibility to the helm of our organization. Dr. Ganzert wasrecently elected to the Forbes Nonprofit Council for Chief Executive Officers, named the RareLife Leadership Award winner for her work in the humane movement, and honored with theBrava Award for top female CEOs in the nation’s capital, among many other distinctionsrecognizing her extraordinary contributions to the field.

Creative InnovationIn September 2016, American Humane unveiled the results of a comprehensive rebrandingeffort. Updating our historic brand started with changing the name of our organization fromAmerican Humane Association to American Humane. We also revealed a fresh new look that included a redesigned website, a new logo, and a new slogan: First to Serve.

American Humane is pleased to share that our ambitious rebranding initiative earned a 2017 Mercury Award, an international competition honoring outstanding achievement inprofessional communications. Award recipients were selected by a panel of some of theworld’s best public relations specialists.

Nonprofit Efficiency, Transparency, and AccountabilityAmerican Humane is committed to maximizing the impact of each generous donation as themost effective humane group in the country. At American Humane, 86 cents of every dollarraised goes directly into programs, a cost ratio far higher than any other national humanegroup. That’s one of the many reasons why an ever-growing growing list of respected charityevaluators consistently recognize American Humane as one of the country’s leading nonprofitorganizations. Our prestigious awards include:

GuideStar’s USA “Gold” rating, recognizing charities that demonstrate a deep commitmentto nonprofit transparency and accountability.

CharityWatch’s “Top-Rated Charity” with an “A” rating, awarded to only 600 nonprofitsnationwide.

Membership in the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, offered exclusively tononprofit organizations that meet all 20 of its rigorous charity accountability standards.

The Independent Charities of America’s “Seal of Excellence,” awarded to fewer than fivepercent of more than one million charities in the nation.

The “Top-Rated Charity” seal of approval from leading charity evaluator GreatNonprofits.

Named “Outstanding Animal Welfare Organization of the Year” by the esteemed PetPhilanthropy Circle.

Rescue Spotlight

PLEASE CONSIDER DONATINGwhatever you can to help AmericanHumane continue our lifesaving workas the first to serve animals,whenever and wherever they are inneed of rescue, shelter, or protection.Our organization currently spends 86 cents out of every dollar raiseddirectly on programs, a cost ratiosignificantly higher than those ofother national humane groups.

To make your gift to animals today, please give online at www.americanhumane.org/support,via phone at (866) 242-1877, orby mail at 1400 16th St. NW, Suite360, Washington, D.C. 20036.

Please also consider making a gift by will or gift from your IRAto American Humane.

Gift by Will: A bequest to AmericanHumane is a wonderful way to leaveyour legacy and perpetuate yoursupport. Through a bequest, youmay leave a specific dollar amount,or may reserve all or a certainpercentage of your estate afterprovisions for family members andother beneficiaries have been made.You may stipulate whether thebequest is for general support or fora specific purpose. A bequest canalso be made in honor or memory ofanother individual or a pet. Bequestsqualify for unlimited charitablededuction, which reduces one’sestate taxes and preserves more ofthe donor’s assets for family, andother intended beneficiaries.

In addition to cash and securities,bequests to American Humane mayinclude personal property or realestate. All outright bequests toAmerican Humane are exempt fromfederal estate taxes. There is nolimitation on the size of the gift. Tolearn more, please contact Chelsea Hall at (866) 242-1877 or chelseah@americanhumane.org.

Gift From Your IRA: When youmake a contribution to AmericanHumane directly from your IRA, youmake a statement about your lovefor animals while making a tax-efficient gift. As you may know, theIRA Rollover Law has beenpermanently extended. This meansyou can make a distribution toAmerican Humane from yourretirement account without payingincome taxes on the contribution.The gift from your IRA will count as arequired distribution for 2016 up to$100,000. There are specificrequirements:

• You must be at least 70½ yearsold

• You must decline goods orservices

• Your rollover may not exceed$100,000

To make a gift, please send a letterto your IRA administrator requestinga direct charitable distribution toAmerican Humane in the amountyou wish to donate. The letter shouldinclude American Humane’s Tax ID number: 84-0432950. For a sample letter or furtherassistance, please contact Chelsea Hall at (866) 242-1877 or chelseah@americanhumane.org.

Help American Humane Continue to be First to Serve Animals in Need