The Washington Humane Society (WHS), the only Congressionally-chartered animal welfare agency in the United States, has been the area’s leading voice for animals since 1870. As the open-access adoption center in the Nation’s Capital, the Washington Humane Society provides comfort and care to over 51,000 animals each year through its broad range of programs and services including sheltering, adoption, spay and neuter, CatNiPP, humane law enforcement, lost and found, human–animal therapy programs and humane education.

Did you know that WHS is the only humane society in the country that was chartered by Congress? We are located in our nation's capital, Washington, DC.

WHS enforces all of the District's animal laws under an 1870 Congressional charter, and all animal control laws under contract with the DC government. WHS operates the only open-access adoption centers in Washington, DC; a private shelter at 7319 Georgia Avenue NW, and the DC Animal Shelter (under contract by the Department of Health) at 1201 New York Avenue NE.

In addition to the two animal adoption centers, WHS operates the low-cost National Capital Area Spay & Neuter Center, at 1001 L Street SE, located in the heart of Capitol Hill, an animal training facility located at 7315 Georgia Avenue NW, and the administrative offices, located at 4590 MacArthur Blvd. NW.

WHS has nearly 100 dedicated employees, 21 distinguished members of the Board of Directors and more than 350 active volunteers.

The Washington Humane Society inspires and creates a community where all animals have secure homes and where people and animals live together with joy and compassion.