Faunalytics

The Humane Research Council (HRC) is a nonprofit organization that provides animal advocates with access to the research and analysis of various animal issues, including factory farming, veganism and vegetarianism, the overpopulation of pets, animal experimentation, hunting and traping, and the use of animals for entertainment purposes (zoos, circuses, racing, fights, etc.). HRC's overall objective is to reduce animal suffering by assisting individual advocacy groups achieve their maximum effectiveness.

Organization History

HRC is a non-profit organization based in Olympia, Washington, USA, funded through consulting fees, grants, and donations. Founded in 2001 by Che Green, a former corporate professional, HRC utilizes contributions of time and expertise from committed professionals in research, marketing, and communications, as well as business service providers and designers for print and online media.

HRC was awarded the Independent Charities of America’s Seal of Excellence in 2006.

In 2007, HRC launched HumaneSpot.org, a database of research studies relating to animal issues and public opinion, to help centralize and better disseminate relevant information among animal advocacy groups.

Organization Mission

HRC applies traditional corporate marketing research and analysis techniques to support the animal protection movement. HRC’s methodologies are both quantitative and qualitative in nature and include depth interviews and focus groups, benchmarking and assessment studies, materials evaluation and concept testing, fundraising and donor research, and opposition research and analysis.

Notable HRC partners and clients include the American Anti-Vivisection Society, the American Society for Prevention for Cruelty to Animals, Animal Protection Institute, New England Anti-Vivisection Society, Farm Sanctuary, The Handsel Foundation, The Humane Society of the United States, National Council for Animal Protection, and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

HRC Research and Studies

The Humane Research Council has conducted or contributed to a number of research studies that are significant for the animal advocacy movement. Noteworthy projects include a study of public perception of the animal protection movement (National Council for Animal Protection, 2006), the Humane Index (The Humane Society of the United States, 2007), and an independent study on advocating meat reduction and vegetarianism to U.S. adults (2007). HRC also recently launched the Animal Tracker, an annual survey of animal-related attitudes and behavior among U.S. adults, to establish benchmarks for these trends over time.

HRC Personnel

The HRC Board of Directors and advisors includes key personnel from foundational animal protection groups including the Humane Society of the United States, Born Free USA, Vegan Outreach, as well as business professionals and academics from John Hopkins University, Tufts University, University of Pennsylvania, and Willamette University.