If you feel strongly about animal care and putting an end to animal cruelty, then you’ve probably heard about The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or ASPCA.
This organization has been around since the 1860’s, trying to combat all types of animal abuse, such as slaughter, puppy mills, and household abuse.
Learn more about the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, how they started, and their current projects.
Who is ASPCA?
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is an organization formed through the belief that animals deserve respectful treatment from humans and must be protected by the law.
This organization is one of the largest in the world and is located in North America. ASPCA is also the first human society on the continent. Currently, its headquarters is located in New York City, although they maintain a strong presence throughout the country.
The goal of this charity is to offer practical means for the prevention of animal cruelty in the United States. ASPCA has created numerous policies for pet-keeping, with guidelines on lifelong care, animal hoarding, and obeying local laws.
The organization also has policies regarding service animals, pet overpopulation issues, dangerous dogs, and farm animals.
They also have programs and research initiatives about animals in education, entertainment, sports, and work.
ASPCA Action is the name for ASPCA’s magazine, which discusses the success stories of the ASPCA members and animals and their current projects.
How did ASPCA start?
ASPCA’s long history started in 1863 when a New Yorker named Henry Bergh stopped a carriage driver from beating a fallen horse.
Through his good heart, he started exerting energy toward an advocacy: the prevention of animal cruelty. Only three years after the incident, Bergh founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The organization was initially focused on horses. It operated the first ambulance for injured horses and created a canvas sling to rescue them.
During the 2000s, ASPCA helped animals who were victims of natural disasters, puppy mills, and dog fighting. It has also held other types of cruelty intervention.
In fact, after Hurricanes Katrina and RITA, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals sent staff to the Gulf Coast to rescue animals and aid in their recovery.
In 2014, ASPCA committed to a five-year project that cost $25 million to rescue homeless animals in Los Angeles. It also launched Safety Net programs to assist pet owners in different aspects.
What Does ASPCA Do?
Today, ASPCA’s initiatives are divided into three foundations: animal rescue, animal placement, and animal protection. These three are the core of their work so that animals receive the best treatment they can as well as being protected from harm.
ASPCA recently relocated its Behavioral Rehabilitation Center to Weaverville, Carolina to support these objectives. Homeless dogs of all ages and backgrounds can be part of the program to be “adoptable.”
This program also aims to house and train dogs who have been confiscated from puppy mills and hoarding situations.
Other programs of ASPCA include the Cruelty Recovery Center and Animal Hospital. The organization also launched a kitten nursery for stray kittens.
These facilities take every possible action to protect homeless, abandoned, and neglected animals in the United States.
How Can You Help ASPCA?
ASPCA provides several avenues for you to help them with their mission.
The best way to help ASPCA is to provide financial aid to them.
Your money is tax-deductible and will help fight animal cruelty in the country. Donate your money via credit card, checking or savings account, or Paypal.
You can also shop for t-shirts and other merchandise items from ASPCA. They have shirts with unique messages, like “Speaking up for those who can’t,” “No dog is born to fight,” and “Puppy mills = animal abuse.”
Check out their partnership with Amazon Smile and how your purchase helps them.
Perhaps you’re interested in becoming a monthly member of the Advocacy Brigade. The brigade lets you receive emails personalized just for you and get invited to local events.
You also receive the benefit of getting answers from policy experts about animal cruelty bills.
Lastly, you can also help ASPCA make an impact on social media.
Join the ASPCA to Save Lives
Whatever pressing issue exists about animal cruelty, you’ll be sure to see the ASPCA fighting against it.
From carriage horses in the 1860s to puppy mills in the 2000s, this organization has been devoting itself for centuries toward better animal treatment and protection.
I hope this post inspired you to do your part in saving animals. Visit ASPCA to learn the latest information about the organization and how you can help.
Find other animal charities to help make a difference in our Animal Charity Spotlight series.
