Founded in 1954, the Humane Society of the United States is part of a network of affiliated organisations, one of which is Humane Society International/Europe. HSUS is the largest and most trusted animal protection organisation in the world. Its pillars are: to end the worst forms of institutionalised animal suffering, including hunting and animal testing; respond to large-scale cruelty cases and disasters worldwide; and establish a more effective movement for animal protection. HSUS supports Black Beauty Ranch (BBR), an animal sanctuary founded in 1979 by author and animal advocate Cleveland Amory in Murchison, Texas. BBR’s 1,400+ acres are home to nearly 650 domestic and exotic animals, many of whom were rescued from slaughterhouses, biomedical research laboratories and trophy-hunting ranches.

Others came from roadside zoos or were victims of the exotic pet trade. Bison and cattle, horses and burros, antelope apes, reptiles and tigers, all have permanent, safe homes at the ranch. Black Beauty Ranch provides lifelong homes for unadoptable animals from the worst conditions and ensures their highest level of care and welfare. The diversity of species at BBR and the range of circumstances from which individual residents come, make for unique challenges in veterinary care. Black Beauty Ranch’s mission is to allow the rescued animals housed there to live in as natural an environment as possible. Understanding the backgrounds and specific needs of the resident animals is crucial to ensure they have a peaceful and healthy life. This requires history collection and a thorough medical and behavioural assessment, followed by a treatment of emergent needs and the planning of preventative care. Objectives include proper diet, medications and alternative therapies, appropriate enrichment, habitat enhancement, and quality of life assessment. These are measured by improvements in health such as weight gain, absence of pain, lameness, or distress and overall body condition.

The Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation has provided a grant to the Black Beauty Ranch to contribute to covering veterinary expenses until March 2026.