A safe and humane head collar for an animal includes a clasp and a head strap extending through first and second channels formed in the clasp. The head strap has a first end secured to a slip loop and a second end secured to a lead attachment. The head strap passes once through the slip loop to form a head loop for passing over a head of the animal. The safe and humane head collar also includes a nose strap extending through third and fourth channels formed in the clasp to provide a nose loop for passing over a nose of the animal, the nose strap having first and second ends terminating below the clasp. When fitted to the animal, the clasp secures a portion the first and second ends of the nose strap and a portion of the head loop below a lower jaw of the animal, and the head loop is positioned so that the slip loop is situated behind an ear of the animal.