The Humane Society of the United States announced today that it gave more than $6.8 million in grants in 2007, supporting the work of 438 animal care and protection organizations, veterinary colleges, and other institutions around the nation and the world. This apparently makes The HSUS the third-largest grant-maker to animal protection causes, exceeded only by Maddie's Fund in California and PetSmart Charities in Arizona. 

"The Humane Society of the United States has the capacity to implement and execute a remarkable array of campaigns, programs, and animal care services with our staff and volunteers – and that's the core of our work," said Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president and CEO. "As a complement to that work, we believe in investing in the capacity of other groups to advance a social reform agenda and to rescue and care for animals. We are proud to support the work of hundreds of partners working every day to fight cruelty and protect other creatures from harm."

Among the groups receiving financial support were 189 animal shelters, animal control agencies, and other pet protection groups; 73 agencies responding to disasters and emergencies; and 93 international organizations. The grants to other organizations represented 6 percent of The HSUS' total expenditures in 2007.

The largest grants included $600,000 to the Dixon Correctional Institute in Louisiana for a program to provide emergency shelter to dogs and cats at the prison; $547,500 to Mississippi State University and $400,000 to Louisiana State University representing half of a two-year commitment for spay and neuter programs at their respective veterinary schools; and $100,000 to the Spay Neuter Assistance Program of North Carolina to build a mobile clinic. A breakdown of all 2007 grants by category follows:

Pets and Animal Shelters - $2,876,892

Farm Animals - $1,678,120

Disaster and Emergency Services - $997,990

International - $724,870

Wildlife - $207,141

Equine - $118,119

Alternatives to Animal Testing - $75,500

Other - $123,130

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.