The

American

Society

for the

Preventio

n of

Cruelty

to

Animals 

(ASPCA)

by Agnieszka Kuriata

1.

ASPCA?

2.

History of

organization

3.

The webside ASPCA

4.

Medicine for animals

under ASPCA

5.

Animal Cops

6.

Video- Abused Dog

Fighting Victims, One

Year Later

7.

Outcomes for at-risk

animals

8.

ASPCA Day

9.

Controversy

10.

Legislation

A non-profit organization dedicated to

preventing cruelty towards animals. The

founder of the organization is Henry Bergh.

Based in New York City since its inception in

1866, the organization's mission is "to

provide effective means for the prevention of

cruelty to animals throughout the United

States.”

HISTORY

OF

On February 8, 1866, Bergh pleaded on behalf of animals at a meeting at Clinton

Hall in New York City. Some of the issues he discussed were cockfighting and the

horrors of slaughterhouses

On April 19, 1866, the first anti-cruelty law was passed since the founding of

ASPCA, and the organization was granted the right to enforce anti-cruelty laws.

Early goals of ASPCA focused on efforts for horses and livestock, since at the time

they were used for a number of activities. At that time, there were three staff

members at the ASPCA. In 1867, ASPCA operated its first ambulance for injured

horses and advocated alternatives for inhumane actions toward animals such as

horses, live pigeons, cats and dogs. By the time of Bergh's death in 1888, 37

out of the 38 states in the union had enacted anti-cruelty laws that were

enforced by the ASPCA.

Starting at the turn of the 20th century, small domestic animals, like cats and dogs,

became the focus for members of ASPCA. ASPCA wrote its first annual report in

1867 after a man was sentenced to 10 days in prison for beating a cat to death

From 1894 to 1994, the ASPCA operated the municipal animal shelter system in

New York City which inevitably euthanized unadopted animals. Starting in 1977,

the ASPCA entered into a contract with New York City Department of Health to

receive municipal funding to operate the shelter system.

Operation of the shelter system was transferred to Center for Animal Care and

Control in 1995.

Following the creation of the Royal Society for

the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in

the UK in 1824 (given Royal status in 1840),

Henry Bergh founded the American Society for

the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on April 10,

1866 in New York City on the belief that animals

are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at

the hands of humans, and must be protected

under the law. It is the oldest animal welfare

organization in the United States. Founded in

1866, the ASPCA was the first humane

organization in the Western Hemisphere.

MORE

IMPO

RTAN

TS

FACTS

!

„

„

For over 140 years, the ASPCA

For over 140 years, the ASPCA

has worked tirelessly to end

has worked tirelessly to end

animal cruelty. From education

animal cruelty. From education

and care to adoption and

and care to adoption and

rescue, the ASPCA is making a

rescue, the ASPCA is making a

life-changing difference for

life-changing difference for

animals across America. Your

animals across America. Your

support will mean so much to

support will mean so much to

the animals right in your

the animals right in your

community. Thank you for

community. Thank you for

making the ASPCA and the

making the ASPCA and the

animals we serve a part of your

animals we serve a part of your

life.„

life.„

One of the early goals of ASPCA was to improve the

health and welfare of animals. The first animal hospitals

under ASPCA were created in 1912. Since the creation of

these hospitals, ASPCA found a new tactic in improving

its cause: the ability to develop various medical

procedures and innovations with help from new

discoveries in medicine and technology.

Try watch Animal Cops in

Try watch Animal Cops in

Animal Planet every day. It

Animal Planet every day. It

can help you understanding

can help you understanding

how ASPCA have hard work

how ASPCA have hard work

every days!

every days!

Abused Dog Fighting Victims, One Year Later

This program is designed as an initiative

This program is designed as an initiative

to take steps to take care and provide for

to take steps to take care and provide for

at-risk animals around the country. Some

at-risk animals around the country. Some

programs designed to help at-risk

programs designed to help at-risk

animals include:

animals include:

•

The ASPCA Mission: Orange Initiative: An

The ASPCA Mission: Orange Initiative: An

invitation of key cities across the United

invitation of key cities across the United

States to join ASPCA in ending the

States to join ASPCA in ending the

unnecessary euthanasia of adoptable

unnecessary euthanasia of adoptable

pets.

pets.

•

Creating plans for animals in times of

Creating plans for animals in times of

emergency by ASPCA experts

emergency by ASPCA experts

•

An 8,000-square-foot (740 m2) state-of-

An 8,000-square-foot (740 m2) state-of-

the-art adoption facility in New York City

the-art adoption facility in New York City

•

ASPCA Meet Your Match, a research-

ASPCA Meet Your Match, a research-

based matching system to match

based matching system to match

animals with the best homes.

animals with the best homes.

•

Helping at-risk horses with the ASPCA

Helping at-risk horses with the ASPCA

Equine Fund

Equine Fund

In 200

In 200

7

7

, the organization

, the organization

celebrated its 140th

celebrated its 140th

anniversary. The

anniversary. The

ceremony proceeded

ceremony proceeded

under the banner of

under the banner of

Mission: Orange, and the

Mission: Orange, and the

purpose of the event was

purpose of the event was

to promote respect for the

to promote respect for the

animals, of adopting

animals, of adopting

them, reduce animal

them, reduce animal

euthanasia and portraying

euthanasia and portraying

positive traits contact with

positive traits contact with

them.

them.

Controve

Controve

rsy

rsy

Courts found that ASPCA activists had paid

Courts found that ASPCA activists had paid

the key witness, a former Ringling barn

the key witness, a former Ringling barn

helper, at least $190,000, making him

helper, at least $190,000, making him

"essentially a paid plaintiff" who lacked

"essentially a paid plaintiff" who lacked

credibility. Another controversy is over

credibility. Another controversy is over

the salary of the Chief Executive Officer.

the salary of the Chief Executive Officer.

The CEO is paid over $500,000 per year.

The CEO is paid over $500,000 per year.

In 2012 the ASPCA agreed

In 2012 the ASPCA agreed

to pay Ringling Bros.

to pay Ringling Bros.

and Barnum & Bailey

and Barnum & Bailey

Circus $9.3 million of

Circus $9.3 million of

donations to settle a

donations to settle a

lawsuit regarding the

lawsuit regarding the

ASPCA's false

ASPCA's false

allegations of animal

allegations of animal

cruelty by the circus.

cruelty by the circus.

Legislation

The ASPCA is active in lobbying for animal welfare

legislation, with regional and federal lobbyists covering

all 50 states. The ASPCA communicates with federal

and state legislators to consider animal-friendly

legislation and bills. The ASPCA also drafts animal

welfare legislation initiatives and proposals for

legislators to consider during their sessions. The

ASPCA's "Advocacy Brigade" allows users to write or e-

mail their legislators on important animal legislation

bills and referendums.

In 2008, the Illinois Senate passed the bill HB

5076. This bill contains various "Good

Samaritan" provisions that protect rescuers

from being sued if they rescue and provide for

an injured animal in
disasters or other emergencies.
This bill also brings clarification to
the Humane Care for Animals Act.

THE END

Thank you for

atTention 