The American Humane Association was founded in 1877 as a network of local organizations to prevent cruelty to children and animals. The Humane Society of the United States was founded in 1954. Many local Humane Societies were founded earlier, and are independent of these similarly named organizations. However, many local humane societies are affiliated with American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
While often originally founded to ensure humane treatment of animals, their missions often expanded to prevent cruelty to children. However when public agencies assumed that role, their focus tended to switch back to animal welfare.