The Humane Society of the Unite States (HSUS) is a Washington, D.C-based animal welfare advocacy group. It is the largest animal welfare organization in the world, with 9.5 million members and a 2006 budget of US$103 million. The HSUS provides many forms of assistance to local animal shelters, operates a number of direct animal care programs, and claims to be a leader in promoting best practices for local animal shelters throughout the country. The HSUS founders did not seek to duplicate the efforts of hundreds of local societies working to help animals. Instead, they decided to tackle cruelties of national scope, seeking to resolve animal welfare problems by applying strategies, resources, and solutions beyond the capability of local organizations. The HSUS was founded in 1954 by journalist Fred Myers and three others. The group's major campaigns target four primary issues: factory farming, animal fighting and other forms of animal cruelty, the fur trade, and inhumane sport hunting practices.