WASHINGTON—Today the Fund for Animals and the Humane Society of the United States finalized the merger announced in 2021. The Fund for Animals—which operated Black Beauty Ranch, Duchess Sanctuary and Rural Area Veterinary Services—has been an affiliate of the Humane Society family of organizations since 2005, and is now fully integrated.
Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, said: “We have been collaborating with the Fund for Animals for many years, always with a shared goal to save and protect animals from cruelty and neglect and create a more humane world. As our priorities and goals more fully aligned, it was in the best interest of our organizations and mission to fully integrate our efforts. We’re pleased to be able to provide more opportunities, resources and attention to streamline and fuse our work, enabling us to have an even greater impact for animals.”
“This evolution in our relationship will make us even more effective in providing care for animals in crisis, and in taking on the broader societal challenges facing all animals,” said Nicole Paquette, chief program and policy officer of the HSUS, who formerly served as the president of the Fund for Animals. “We are so proud of our longstanding relationship and affiliation and look forward to further increasing our strength and success as a blended family.”
The Fund for Animals was founded in 1967 by author and animal advocate Cleveland Amory, and spearheaded significant events in the history of the animal protection movement. Among its historical work, the organization implemented a massive four-year airlift to rescue burros scheduled to be removed by the National Park Service in the Grand Canyon; launched a three-year rescue of burros in Death Valley National Park; rescued 3,000 goats from San Clemente Naval Weapons Facility; and halted some hunting seasons of wolves, bison and bears across the U.S. In 1979, the Fund for Animals purchased land in Texas to build Black Beauty Ranch, now a 1,400-acre sanctuary for nearly 650 animals—40 different species—rescued from cruelty and neglect, including tigers, bears, primates, burros and horses.
The HSUS will continue to operate former Fund for Animals programs (Black Beauty Ranch, Duchess Sanctuary and Rural Area Veterinary Services) and will honor any restricted gifts made to support these programs. Any estate gifts established for the Fund for Animals will legally pass to the HSUS for the benefit of facilities and/or programs previously operated by the Fund for Animals. The HSUS thanks the Fund for Animals board of directors for their years of service.
If you have questions about an existing bequest or future planned gift to the Fund for Animals, please email or call 1-800-808-7858 and speak with our Planned Giving team.
If you are attempting to settle an estate for the Fund for Animals, please contact:
Karol Corbin Walker
Kaufman Dolowich, LLP
Court Plaza North
25 Main Street, Suite 500
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-708-8245
kcorbinwalker@kaufmandolowich.com
For questions about making a gift or grant in support of Fund for Animals legacy programs, please reach out to:
Kimberlee Dinn
SVP Philanthropy
kdinn@humanesociety.org