The American Humane Association (AHA) is a non-profit organization dedicated towards uplifting the welfare of animals and children. When it began in 1877, it was known as the International Humane Association but the organization changed its name the following year. By 1940, the AHA was the sole monitoring institution for humane animal treatment on Hollywood film sets and other broadcasting outfits, becoming well-known for its trademark certification "No Animals Were Harmed" which was shown at the end of credits. Currently, the organization is operating out of a headquarters in Washington, D.C. 

Since its inception, the AHA has been at the forefront of almost every major advancement in the effort to protect pets and farm animals and children from neglect and abuse. Today, the organization is paving the way for promoting a better understanding of the interaction between humans and animals and the role that society plays in said interaction. As the voice of the nation supporting the protection of animals and children, the AHA reaches millions of people through groundbreaking research, training services, and education that includes a network of businesses, agencies, and organizations. The organization adheres to this mission: to ensure the welfare, wellness, and well-being of animals and children, and to unleash the potential of the bond between animals and humans for their mutual benefit.

A big part of what allowed the AHA to thrive was due to the efforts of William O. Stillman, a medical doctor from New York who acquired the organization's first building, fixed its headquarters, and employed its first set of full-time staff members. Stillman went on to head the organization for 20 years until he died, frequently investigating cases of animal cruelty himself. In 2012, the AHA had a budget of $7.8 million allotted for animal protection work and $5.6 million for child protection efforts.