The
American
Society
for the
Preventio
n of
Cruelty
to
Animals
(ASPCA)
by Agnieszka Kuriata
The
American
Society
for the
Preventio
n of
Cruelty
to
Animals
(ASPCA)
by Agnieszka Kuriata
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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