The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is a Washington, D.C-based animal welfare advocacy group. It is the largest animal welfare organization in the world, with nearly 10.6 million members and a 2007 budget of US$120 million. The Human Society was founded in 1954 by Fred Myers, Helen Jones, Larry Andrews, and Marcia Glaser. There are also many local Human Societies around the world, which share the name of Human Society, but are normally independent local organizations.