American Humane Association Reviews

Current Employee – been working at American Humane Association

Pros – The best thing about American Humane remains the mission of protecting children and animals from harm. The organization has a long history providing humane education, emergency services and professional training.

Cons – Currently the morale is the worst I have seen...anywhere. Senior management is grasping at straws to find their footing and many qualified and dedicated professionals are being treated disrespectfully. The basic attitude of senior management is that we are all expendable. As more and more people leave or are let go, there is no knowledge transfer and those left behind have to start from scratch on daily operational issues that could have been easily transferred if someone in senior management was proactive enough to realize those leaving had specific responsibilities and those tasks would need to be continued after their departure. As a result, everyday there is some panic situation. It is difficult to work in such an environment and the drama is draining.

I was once very proud to work for American Humane, but now I find it almost embarrassing because the challenges we are facing are well known in the non-profit sector. A 135 year old organization that was once well respected is now, in the span of one year, looked down upon.

I cannot honestly recommend American Humane to any potential employee.

Advice to Senior Management – Quit the slash and burn technique of staff changes and allow people to have knowledge transfers. We know the changes are going to happen so they might as well be handled as effectively as possible.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at American Humane Association

Pros – A worthwhile and honorable mission

Cons – The company permeates negativity and as a result, effectiveness and functionality has suffered a huge impact.

Advice to Senior Management – Focus on the people who are driving your message, the employees.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at American Humane Association

Pros – The mission of protecting children and animals from harm and abuse. Education of society on the importance of the link between animals and humans.

Cons – Senior management is in a power struggle with the Board of Directors. Morale is terrible because of several rounds of lay offs. They did away with performance reviews a couple of years ago. So, no matter how hard you work or what you do to try to please management, it will never be acknowledged formally. It is a toxic environment and each day is more unpleasant than the next.

Advice to Senior Management – Please employ some people with non-profit experience. Your current approach of bringing in unknowledgable contractors is creating more problems than it is solving.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at American Humane Association

Pros – Mission: Protecting Animals and Children

Cons – A new CEO came in and lots of changes occurred which is often the case and very understandable. Problem is that people that are in the "in crowd" with her have a good job life. People that are not in this crowd get disrespected, forgotten and are looked down upon. Really a shame!

Advice to Senior Management – Listen to ALL employees, not just the favorite ones.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at American Humane Association

Pros – Focus on our mission -- protecting children and and animals. People treat one another with respect at work. Creative input is encouraged and professional growth is fostered. We are proud of the work we do to make a difference in the world, both past and present. We are becoming more visible and finding new ways for people to get involved as employees, volunteers, donors and sponsors. This is an exciting time to be part of American Humane Association!

Cons – We are facing tough financial times, like most non-profits, but there is a feeling of optimism that we can and will be successful in our diversified fundraising efforts so that we can continue to expand the critical work we do that helps children and animals.

Advice to Senior Management – Continue to provide a positive vision and direction -- people are on board and excited to make it happen!

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at American Humane Association

Pros – American Humane Association is a dynamic, exciting, mission-driven organization devoted to protecting kids and animals! It has a proud history and legacy of very important work in this country, and is being re-energized by new leadership. Great mission, strong leadership and new headquarters in DC!

Cons – Change can be hard for some staff, but the renewal of AHA is exciting to watch and be part of!

Advice to Senior Management – Great new focus and energy - thank you for your commitment!

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at American Humane Association

Pros – Flexible work hours and time-off / work from home policies; tremendous efforts to communicate the big picture of organization strategy; people and their passion for the mission; assertively exiting sub-par performers so that all can shine; energy and vision of new CEO and engaged, skilled and connected development team getting organized.

Cons – Been a tough period of change to get to a new starting point with a bright future.

Advice to Senior Management – Get it right NOW - the future depends upon you as do the troops.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at American Humane Association

Pros – I am proud to be a part of a historical organization that has a rich legacy of protecting our nation's most vulnerable. Each day I am impressed by my colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure the well-being of children and animals. A compassionate and caring organization comprised of wonderful people - plus you can bring your pet to work!

Cons – Although the organization has accomplished so much, there is always more work to be done. There are always more animals and children in need.

Advice to Senior Management – Keep up the great work!

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at American Humane Association

Pros – While the organization has been through rough times in recent years, I feel that under our new leadership and CEO, this is truly a new dawn for AHA. There has never been a better time to be involved with this nonprofit, which is becoming more vibrant and relevant every day.

Our new CEO is putting AHA on the map - the organization is no longer "invisible" and we are garnering press and attention for our efforts for the first time in decades. (Of course, that comes with negative press at times too, but frankly being bold and brave is essential). Not everyone will agree with our positions and solutions, and that's okay. Dialogue is good, and fosters progress.

I have faith in the integrity of the new senior leadership and believe that there is a clear expectation to ensure our core values are cascaded throughout the organization at all levels.

Recent efforts to give the Denver office a relatively low cost makeover (paint, sprucing up - not a total renovation by any means) were intended to boost morale and make staff proud of where they worked, and provide a visible "transition" for the organization which was in turmoil prior to our new CEO coming on board. Prior to this the Denver office was dismal and depressing, and not somewhere you would feel proud to work. The new space in DC allows AHA to showcase our work with policy makers, partners and other key constituencies -- to have a national presence I think this was a worthwhile and valuable investment.

The staff are unparallelled - and I am talking about staff at all levels (not just leadership). I have never seen a more dedicated, smart, and hard working team -- both for our children's initiatives and our animal protection efforts. Some are truly leaders in their field or area of specialty, and others are budding with incredible potential that I believe the new AHA wil certainly engage positively to advance their careers.

Cons – The benefits package could be more competitive - regarding how much PTO staff accumulate and the quality of benefits providers (from 401(k) to health care). I'd currently rate it as "average" but with room for improvement to attract and retain talent.

Our CEO expects nothing less than a total positive transformation of this organization over the next year or two -- to become more vibrant, relevant, financially viable, and innovative. These are high expectations, and exciting transitions like these are not for the faint of heart. I see it as an exciting opportunity, but to some the "element of change" can be seen daunting or overwhelming.

With new leadership structures, certain organizational and operational processes are being developed and finalized - such as the best ways to communicate and share information across the organization, buttoning up policies and procedures, etc.

Advice to Senior Management – Keep focused on the mission, continue to invest strategically in high-performing talent, and continue working with all staff to chart the course for success. We are on our way!

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at American Humane Association

Pros – Help children and animals in need.

Cons – Executives receive exorbitant salaries – completely against non-profit policies. Very cliquish and abusive. Lower-level employees receive very low salaries and are the only ones who work. No chance of promotion within. Corporate strategy constantly changing for no evident reason. HR virtually non existent.

Advice to Senior Management – Management should leave the organization and let the people who care carry on the mission.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend