American Humane Certified™ Zoo & Aquariums
We independently certify the humane treatment and welfare of animals in zoos, aquariums and conservation centers.
Our Impact in 2025
Together, we’re building a brighter future for animals. See how
1.1 million
Animals protected
85
Zoological facilities certified
19
Countries with certified facilities
Why Zoo & Aquarium Certification Matters
The American Humane Certified™ Zoos & Aquariums program evaluates the humane treatment of animals in zoos, aquariums and conservation centers. The evaluation is conducted through independent, third-party audits guided by rigorous, science-based standards. Certification helps the public identify facilities committed to humane animal care.
Zoos and aquariums have become places of hope for many species. Zoos and aquariums not only fund thousands of conservation projects, they are also vessels to safely house and help sustain populations of threatened animals.
Our zoo and aquarium certification program allows for independent, third-party verification of the humane treatment of animals in human care, based on rigorous science and evidence-based practices.
Developed by our Science Advisory Committee — independent, respected veterinarians and experts in animal welfare, animal science, zoology and ethics — these standards serve as a benchmark of humane care to which institutions can aspire.
When you see the American Humane Certified™ mark, be assured that the facility meets our rigorous, science-based standards for humane animal care.
Visit a Certified Facility
Zoos and aquariums help save species through life-saving research, direct action and inspiring millions of visitors each year to protect what they love.
Rhinos from Denver Zoo; Dolphins from Dolphin Quest; Leopards from Turtle Back Zoo; Penguins from Turtle Back Zoo.
How Certification Works
The certification program has two overarching components informed by our core principles: the Pre-Audit Application and the Onsite Audit.
Pre-Audit Application
The Pre-Audit Application is completed by an institution that is requesting consideration of American Humane Society Certification. The Pre-Audit Application allows the institution to provide detailed information related to the animal collection size and diversity, training and enrichment practices, record-keeping systems, veterinary care programs, emergency protocols, animal programs and more.
The Pre-Audit Application must be completed prior to any On-Site Audit of the animal collection of an organization.
On-Site Audit
Independent auditors evaluate the welfare of both individual and groups of animals. Extensive examinations based on core principles set the stage for the assessment, followed by a set of detailed questions aimed at confirming that the animals are not only in good condition physically and socially, but have good welfare overall.
American Humane Society contracts with auditors who are experts in their field, independent from American Humane Society, and are not currently employed by a zoo or aquarium – allowing for a truly independent, third-party certification.
The American Humane Certified™ audit is animal-centric with the goal of confirming that good welfare and humane treatment is provided consistently to all animals in American Humane Certified™ zoos and aquariums.
Focusing on individual animals and small groups of animals, welfare indicators are designed to be species-specific and include metrics that are directly and indirectly measured. Direct information includes aspects of welfare that are observable or measurable in the animal(s) being assessed while indirect information is obtained from discussions with animal care staff and/or supervisors and from facility protocols and animal welfare records.
The standards and audit tools verify diverse aspects of animal welfare and humane treatment, including many indicators of well-being such as:
- Physical appearance
- Appropriate individual and group behaviors
- Positive Interactions between animals and their conspecifics and caretakers
- Ability to self-separate
- Physiological metrics
- Appropriate activity levels and use of spaces
- Disease & mortality
- Record-keeping practices
- Environmental parameters (lighting, shade,
temperature, sound, etc.) - Environmental, behavioral and cognitive
enrichment - Staff knowledge & training
- Veterinary procedures
- Husbandry training
- Breeding programs
- Choices for animals to participate or not
- Safety measures for animals and the public
- Nutrition needs
- Food quality & safety protocols
- Consideration of diurnal and seasonal environmental patterns
- Veterinary health plans to recognize and treat adverse medical trends
- Handling of animals in educational and interactive programs
- Emergency protocols
- Training staff on animal interactions
- Use of positive reinforcement in husbandry and training
- Transparency and openness of daily operations & animal care
Core Principles
In addition to examining the key indicators of animal welfare, American Humane Society’s program is founded upon three essential, non-negotiable criteria that must be met for the audit to proceed. Significant weight is placed on these essential criteria which underlie the entire audit process. Failure to meet these nonnegotiable requirements will result in failure of the audit.
Staff Conduct that Promotes Animal Welfare
Staff must be aware of the facility’s protocols and procedures and at all times must conduct themselves in a manner that promotes animal welfare.
No Observations of Animal Abuse
Observations of willful acts or signs of abuse will automatically result in failure of the audit.
Appropriate Health Plan and Implementation
A veterinary/health plan (i.e. preventive medical care) must be in effect. If a plan does not exist one should be developed and implemented prior to the On-Site Audit. Failure to provide such documentation and confirmation of a health plan will result in audit failure.
Contact Our Certification Team
Facilities meeting the highest standards of welfare and animal care deserve recognition. Our certification process allows you to demonstrate the excellence of your humane standards to the public and your peers.
Through the neutral and professional American Humane Society’s certification program we were able to set a clear signal to the public and underline our high standards in animal welfare. The experts of American Humane Society confirmed to our team and the public that we are on the right track using high animal welfare standards in our Zoo and even offered additional advice.
Therefore, we can only recommend using the expertise and reputation of the animal welfare accreditation by American Humane Society, for the benefit of the employees and the animals in our care.
Prof Theo B. Pagel
CEO/Zoodirector Cologne Zoo / Former President of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)
Common Questions About Zoo and Aquarium Certification
An American Humane Certified zoo or aquarium has passed a rigorous, multi-day, independent audit verifying that animals in its care are treated humanely.
The audit evaluates species-specific welfare indicators developed by American Humane Society’s Scientific Advisory Committee, including living conditions, veterinary care, enrichment, social groupings and the ability of animals to engage in natural behaviors.
American Humane Society currently certifies more than 80 zoological facilities in 18+ countries, protecting the welfare of nearly 1.1 million animals.
The program is the first certification effort solely dedicated to verifying humane treatment at zoos, aquariums and conservation centers. Six new facilities earned certification in 2025, including institutions in India, Austria and Ireland.
Many regional accreditations evaluate a broad range of institutional standards.
American Humane Certified focuses specifically on individual animal welfare through species-specific, science-based criteria verified by independent third-party auditors. Many facilities hold several designations.
Standards are developed and regularly updated by an independent Scientific Advisory Committee composed of leading veterinarians, animal scientists, behaviorists and ethicists.
American Humane Society’s criteria are grounded in peer-reviewed research and are designed to assess well-being at the individual animal level, not just facility-wide practices
A full list of certified zoos and aquariums is available on our website. Certified facilities span the United States and 18+ other countries.
American Humane Society recognizes the important role certified zoos and aquariums play in conservation, breeding programs and public education. Certification focuses on the humane treatment and welfare of animals in human care, while many certified institutions also contribute to broader conservation efforts.
Global Humane Society, the international arm of American Humane Society, also operates the Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa and the Global Humane Certified Ecotourism program, both of which support wildlife protection and habitat restoration.
Scientific Advisory Committee
Our science-based standards are informed by this group of respected veterinarians and experts in the fields of animal welfare, animal science, zoology, and ethics who have decades of experience protecting animals.
Lara Croft, DVM, DACZM
Veterinary Scientist, Morris Animal Foundation
Ramiro Isaza, DVM, MS, MPH, DACZM, DECZM
Veterinary Consultant, Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, Professor of Zoological Medicine (Retired), University of Florida
Xavier Manteca Vilanova, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Animal and Feed Science, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
James F. McBain, DVM
Veterinary consultant
Ken Ramirez
Executive Vice President and Chief Training Officer, Karen Pryor Clicker Training
Suzi Rapp
Partner, The Kuzo Group, LLC
Stephanie Stowell
Director, Zoo and Aquarium Projects, Tessere
F. William Zeigler
Vice President, Aquarium & Zoo Resources, Inc.
Watch Our Escape from Extinction Documentaries
Our award-winning wildlife documentary series spotlights the critical fight to protect endangered species. Through breathtaking cinematography and powerful storytelling, the films showcase cutting-edge conservation science, biodiversity restoration and the role of technology in reversing species loss.
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