Animals Organizations United States Peta Protect Humane Society

In the United States, many organizations have formed to protect animals. The Humane Society of the United States is one of the largest and best-known organizations, with state and local "branches" (smaller organizations of the same type) found throughout the country. The organization is best known for operating animal shelters, "rehabilitating" (making better or healthier) injured animals, and placing animals in new homes. But it also "engages in" (is involved in) other activities, such as "lobbying" (speaking with politicians to try to get them to vote a certain way) for laws that protect animals.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) was founded in England, but now is in the United States and many other countries. SPCA is similar to the Humane Society, but focuses more "broadly" (widely; generally) on many types of animals, not just "domesticated" (raised to live with humans) pets. SPCA is "sharply" (strongly) "critical" (not approving of) "factory farming" (ways of raising many animals for food in a small area).

Finally, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is best known as an "animal rights" organization that fights for animals to be treated in ways that are more equal to those of humans. PETA states that "animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, use for entertainment, or abuse in any way." PETA is best known for its "opposition to" (disagreement with and fight against) research laboratories that use animals for scientific experiments. PETA also has many advertising campaigns that oppose the use of "fur" (animal skin and hair used for clothing) and "promote" (encourage) "veganism" (following a diet with no animal products).