Differences between humane societies and shelters is largely semantic.
There is usually not much difference between humane societies and animal shelters when just considering the names used by each, as the names do not necessarily describe the type or quality of service provided. The differences are in the type and organizational funding structure of different organizations. Some are private organizations or nonprofit groups while others are run by cities or towns and linked with animal control divisions. Some shelters may be welfare-based, and some humane societies may be small and subject to private individual whim. Some welfare groups offer adoption and an animal rights education program. Research any organization to decide whether it is the type you are seeking.
City or Town Shelter
These types of animal shelters, or pounds, are run and funded by town or city governments. These municipal service shelters pick up loose and abandoned nuisance dogs and cats. They also collect animals and use any contact information (microchip or tag) to contact the owner. They issue and enforce fines if there is a lease law. The animals that deemed adoptable are offered to the public. Some shelters are associated with welfare organizations while others have been cited, and the operators charged, with cruelty themselves. There is usually a high rate of euthanizing animals, and the holding time may be short. These are the animals at highest risk for death.
Private Rescue Shelters
Private rescue shelters are privately run and are usually donation-based or nonprofit. These shelters can be breed or species specific dealing with a variety of animals and causes. Some shelters are linked with clubs such as golden retriever or boxer interest clubs as well as rabbit, bird, cat or other animals such as livestock. Some offer training and information sessions for animals and adopters. These are usually no-kill shelters (some do euthanize rather than offer foster homes) but the vast variety of these types of organizations make them hard to categorize. Clean and organized shelters and rescue groups with foster programs are a good resource for animals and adopters. Research rescue groups to discover how they operate and be wary of the occasional scam or individual with a mental illness such as a hoarder.
Humane Societies
Humane societies vary in size. The first humane society was founded in Boston by George Angell and is still in operation today. Larger societies such as the MSPCA (Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), offer rescue services, ambulance transport, veterinary hospitals and welfare education and campaigns. Humane institutions may offer training, spay/neuter services, community education and reduced veterinary care for impoverished owners. Some of these are linked to local governments; field cruelty calls; draft and preview humane legislation; and have an armed police force.
These societies are nonprofit groups running on donations, services and public funds. These groups take in rescues and owner surrendered animals ranging from cats and dogs to horses and poultry. Wildlife services are offered by some groups as well. Domestic animals are available for adoption and some societies do euthanize animals if they cannot be placed or fostered. Smaller humane groups offer a more conservative range of services but would hold an adoption shelter.
Rescue Welfare Organizations
Animal welfare organizations such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) or the Animal Defense League often spearhead humane treatment of animals and do undercover investigations to bring cruelty cases to prosecution including wins against popular commercial, government and university perpetrators. Often linking with large humane organizations and dealing with high profile cases these organizations are usually nonprofit. Their goals are to protect wild and domestic animals, draft and lobby legislation and educate the public about animal welfare. Some groups have a shelter or are linked with shelters that have adoptable animals. The variety of groups is diverse ranging from international interests to domestic arenas. Some are species specific or campaign specific with the national sized groups offering a wide range of resources for the public.
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