Join Us
The National Federation of Humane Societies (NFHS) is a voluntary, non-profit, fee-based federation, funded solely by membership fees. Member organizations are animal shelters, animal care and control agencies, and regional and national animal welfare organizations in the United States. Any incorporated non-profit bona fide animal-welfare organization (but not including any division, controlled affiliate, or subsidiary of such organization) or any animal control agency that is part of a municipal government is eligible to become a Member. The Federation concept was conceived as a result of several "idea meetings" from which committees of interested organizations refined thoughts on specific aspects of the concept. As a result of the committee recommendations, the Federation was founded in April 2006 by representatives from local and national humane organizations and will be run by an elected board of your peers.
What are the benefits of membership in the Federation?
- Enhanced ability to drive local, state, and national public policy initiatives.
- Stronger relationships and increased influence with the corporate community, including coalitions with other trade associations.
- Greater communication throughout the industry among state, regional, and national member organizations.
- Improved operational effectiveness through the sharing of best practices, shared research and statistics.
- Opportunity for national leadership.
What our members have to say
“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.”
| Fee or Calculation |
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.
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Join with Us
If you feel strongly about having your organization being a part of a national federation to promote animal friendly policies, practices and procedures, then please, join us by completing the membership application. Sign up your agency to be a Federation member, become an active participant—run for the board of directors or join a working committee to advance animal welfare issues.
