What was the National Federation of Humane Societies (NFHS) chartered to do?
The National Federation of Humane Societies (NFHS) was created to promote animal welfare ideas and policies to the general public; to encourage best practices and policies within our industry; to advance legislation; and to prompt corporations to adopt policies that reflect humane sensibilities. NFHS is a national federation, led by its members, to represent the collective interests of humane organizations across the country and provides a mechanism for collective action.
The founders of NFHS were people from local and national humane organizations with a vision for a powerful industry federation to represent the broader interests of the humane movement. NFHS is not a project of any of those or any other existing organization.
NFHS will be governed, according to its by-laws, by a board of 15 individuals. Board members will be representatives of member organizations. The first full Board of Directors was elected by the membership at the organization's first annual meeting, in March 2007.
The Board, through direction from membership, will determine the actions and priorities of NFHS. Representing the animal care and control community, it will develop an agenda appropriate to the needs of member organizations related to public and corporate policies. Since NFHS values the efforts of other national organizations in the humane movement it will strive to avoid duplication of services, such as training, certification, cost-sharing, and professional development.
What types of organizations can become members of NFHS?
Any bona fide incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization (but not its divisions, controlled affiliates, or subsidiaries) OR any animal control agency that is part of a municipal government shall be eligible to become a member.
Organizations interested in membership must complete a membership application, provide the required documentation, and submit the annual membership fee.
Membership applications are available to download here. If you have additional questions, please contact Steve Putnam, 703-242-3675, sputnam@humanefederation.org; Barbara Carr, 716-629-3500, exdspca@aol.com; Jane McCall, 563-582-6766, humanejane@dbqhumane.org; Pam Carey, 773-521-1408, pcarey@pawschicago.org; or Elizabeth McCorkle, 973-377-7094, ejmccorkle@sthuberts.org.
“Allows my small organization to be part of a bigger movement, to see what is happening on the national level and to stay active in the movement.”
“Coalition building and communications between peer agencies. Direct communications with others is a faster way to improve our own operations.”
“Membership in the Federation affords a certain credibility and identity for local organizations and provides a national voice on shelter issues for our small agency.”
“We choose not to allocate resources to national legislation or issues so the Federation allows us to have a voice and make progress for animals on a national level at a very cost effective rate.”
“The Federation can have an impact on local issues and be the national voice of the sheltering community to the public. Animal Welfare has a hard time translating our passions into messages the public understands, the Federation can be our national voice for the animal care and control community.”
“It has introduced me to new people I would never have met otherwise and provides interaction with people around the country and promotes sharing thoughts and concerns.”
“For me, the real value is influence through collective action. We can truly move the needle on significant issues for animals by working together and speaking from a unified platform.”
“I really believe in the mission and the power of speaking with one voice for the sheltering community. The real benefit for us is being a part of change on a national level. Working on positive change nationally benefits us locally.”
“The diversity of members we already have is amazing and we've just begun. We have large organizations and small rescue groups, limited admission shelters and large animal control operations. This diversity and ability to speak from your own perspective has tremendous potential for coalition building in our industry.”
“Being part of the National Federation distinguishes our shelter from the rest of the pack. It also helps us bring new thinking and ideas into the community.”
“Collaboration within the field. The industry is rife with politics and the Federation offers a spirit of collaboration and working together to achieve gains for companion animals that we think is much needed.”
“The networking and camaraderie that comes from working on committees and the board with my peers. We can always learn new ideas and benefit from a new perspective.”
“Most definitely our greatest benefit is a unified voice representing the sheltering and animal control community. Focusing advocacy on issues directly related to companion animals and our industry directly benefits us all.”
Each member will appoint an organizational representative who will actively participate in meetings and on committees of NFHS.
Participation by members in any specific program, service, initiative, campaign, or action of NFHS will be on a strictly voluntary basis. Individual member organizations will be allowed to support only those actions that, in their sole discretion, best reflect on or benefit their organization.
Each member of NFHS will be granted rights to utilize the name and marks of NFHS while they remain a member in good standing, and will be expected to publicly promote their affiliation with NFHS.
NFHS will hold an annual meeting, as required by its by-laws, at which members will elect Board members and conduct other business as needed.
Organization's Total Operations Budget OR
Total Operating Expenses
from IRS 990 line 17
$100
less than $ 200,000
One-Year Commitment: x .0005
Annual Expenses/Operating Budget
Three-Year Commitment: x .0004
Annual Expenses/Operating Budget
$25,000
› $ 50mm
Membership fees are assessed on a rolling 12-month basis from the date of acceptance.
Membership fees may be paid on an annual, bi-annual, or quarterly basis at the discretion of the member organization.
The Federation will, on request, invoice for annual membership fees.
Fees for multi-year commitments will be due annually at each anniversary date.
Membership fees cover the costs of operation. The organization does not solicit corporate sponsorships. The costs of operation may include staffing, holding meetings, marketing, research and advocacy. The Board will be responsible for approving the organization's budget which will be directly reflective of the goals and objectives established for the year and the number of members participating in the Federation.
What is the difference between NFHS and other national humane organizations?
NFHS' structure (a federation operating independently with organizations as its members and governed by leaders of those organizations) is unique for organizations that have a similar mission (e.g., HSUS, AHA, and ASPCA). NFHS' mission (advocacy of welfare issues through the unified voice of humane organizations to the general public) is unique for organizations that have a similar structure (e.g., SAWA and PAA).
The Society of Animal Welfare Administrators (SAWA) mission is to promote humane ideals and a professional approach to management for private and governmental animal welfare and control agencies. Its members are individual animal welfare leaders. SAWA addresses issues critical to its members and works on professional development, networking, and certification. (For more information about SAWA, contact Paully Brengel at 888-337-6410 or info@sawanetwork.org.)
Pet Shelters Across America (PAA) was created to raise funds for local humane organizations from nontraditional national sponsors through cause-related marketing. The group's purpose is to organize local humane societies from major markets and foster corporate relationships to drive product sales for these companies. The funds will be used by the local organizations for adoptions, spay/neuter, education, behavior work, and the like. PAA does not have a focus on public policy or advocacy. (For more information about Pet Shelters Across America, contact Jay Moore at (314) 951-1535 or jay.moore@petsheltersacrossamerica.org.)
