American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

For other societies with similar names, see Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing animal cruelty. Based in New York City since its inception in 1866,^[4] the organization's mission is "to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States."^[1]

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Abbreviation	ASPCA
Formation	April 10, 1866^[1]
Legal status	Foundation
Purpose	Humane care for animals
Headquarters	New York City
Coordinates	40°46′48.0″N 73°56′44.5″W / 40.780000°N 73.945694°W / 40.780000; -73.945694
Region served	United States
Membership	1.2 million+^[2]
Official language	English
President & CEO	Matthew E. Bershadker^[3]
Website	www.aspca.org

History

 

Squirrel monkey "Miss Baker" poses with the Certificate of Merit for Distinguished Service she was awarded by the ASPCA after her successful return to earth, the associated medal, and the couch used for her flight (to the right). Baker and her traveling companion Able were the first animals to return alive from space.

Following the creation of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in the United Kingdom 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^[4] 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. 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.^[5] After getting signatures for his "Declaration of the Rights of Animals," Bergh was given an official charter to incorporate the ASPCA on April 10, 1866.^[6] On April 19, 1866, the first anti-cruelty law was passed In NY since the founding of ASPCA, and the organization was granted the right to enforce anti-cruelty laws. In 1867, ASPCA operated its first ambulance for injured horses and began advocating for more humane treatment of animals such as horses, live pigeons, cats, and dogs. Early goals of ASPCA focused on efforts for horses and livestock, since at the time they were used for a number of activities.^[7]

In 1918, ASPCA veterinarians developed the use of anesthesia and as a result were able to work on a horse with a broken kneecap. In 1954, ASPCA hospitals added pathology and radiography laboratories and programs. In 1961, ASPCA veterinarians performed their first open-heart surgery on a dog.^[8]

From 1894 to 1994, the ASPCA operated the municipal animal shelter system in New York City which euthanized unadopted animals. Starting in 1977, the ASPCA entered into a contract with the New York City Department of Health to receive municipal funding to operate the shelter system. The contract rendered the ASPCA increasingly reliant on government income rather than private donations, and subject to the effects of annual city budget appropriations. In 1993, the ASPCA decided not to renew its contract for operating the shelter system.^[9][10] Operation of the shelter system was transferred to Center for Animal Care and Control, later renamed Animal Care Centers of NYC, in 1995.^[11]

In 1996, the ASPCA acquired the Animal Poison Control Center from the University of Illinois.^[12] In 2013, the ASPCA made a $25 million commitment to assist at-risk animals and pet owners in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, including a fully subsidized spay/neuter facility in South Los Angeles operated by the ASPCA and a campaign to encourage the fostering of local vulnerable kittens.^[13]

In 2014, the ASPCA spoke out in support of new New York City mayor Bill de Blasio's campaign to ban horse-drawn carriages in the city.^[14]

In 2014, the ASPCA opened the Gloria Gurney Canine Annex for Recovery & Enrichment (CARE) in NYC to house dogs brought by the NYPD to the ASPCA in connection with animal cruelty investigations.^[15] In 2014, the ASPCA also opened the ASPCA Kitten Nursery in NYC to care for neonate and very young homeless kittens until they are appropriate for adoption.^[16]

In 2015, the ASPCA acquired the Asheville, NC-based Humane Alliance, now called the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance.^[17]

In 2018, the ASPCA established the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center. Located in Weaverville, North Carolina, the Center provides behavioral rehabilitation to canine victims of cruelty and neglect. The Center’s Learning Lab also disseminates rehabilitative aid and training to shelters around the country.^[18][19][20]

In 2019, the ASPCA opened the ASPCA Community Veterinary Center in Liberty City, Miami, FL to provide subsidized veterinary services for an undeserved community.^[21] It also took over responsibility for The Right Horse Initiative as an official program of the ASPCA in 2019.^[22]

In 2020, the ASPCA opened the ASPCA Community Veterinary Center in the Bronx, New York.^[23]

In 2020, the ASPCA launched a series of programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on pets, owners, and communities including free pet food for dogs, cats, and horses in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, and Asheville, grants to animal welfare organizations, emergency pet boarding services, a New York City COVID-19 Pet Hotline, and expanded stationary and mobile veterinary care.^[24][25]

In 2021, the ASPCA opened the ASPCA Community Veterinary Center supported by the Alex and Elisabeth Lewyt Charitable Trust, in NYC.^[26]

 

ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Division patch

Controversy

In 2012, the ASPCA agreed to pay Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus $9.3 million to settle a lawsuit regarding the ASPCA's false allegations of animal cruelty by the circus. Courts found that ASPCA activists had paid the key witness, a former Ringling barn helper, at least $190,000, making him "essentially a paid plaintiff" who lacked credibility.^[27] Edwin J. Sayres stepped down as CEO in 2012, and in 2013 longtime ASPCA staff member Matthew Bershadker was named president and CEO.^[28]

In 2021 CBS News did a piece on ASPCA showing that funds aren't necessarily going where donors believe they are going. For example, from 2008 to 2020, the ASPCA raised more than $2 billion for animal welfare. In that time, it has spent $146 million, or about 7% of the total money raised, in grants to local animal welfare groups. But during that same time period it spent nearly three times that, at least $421 million, on fundraising. About 40 miles away from the ASPCA's headquarters in Manhattan, Gary Rogers is the president of the Nassau County SPCA stated - "I don't know how they can put their head on a pillow at night, knowing that there are so many animals out here that that money could be used for, for other things." ^[29]

Legislation and litigation

The ASPCA’s Government Relations, Legal Advocacy and Investigations departments work with state and federal lawmakers and engage in legislative and litigation efforts to secure stronger legal protections for animals.^[30]

Some of the animal welfare issues the departments work on include ending puppy mills and breed-specific legislation.^[31][32][33]

In 2019, the ASPCA sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture for access to animal breeder inspection records.^[34]

ASPCA was among the animal welfare groups that supported the "puppy mill pipeline" bill in New York, which was signed by Governor Kathy Hochul on December 15, 2022. The law goes into effect in 2024, and will make it illegal to sell dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores in New York.^[35] The organization's senior director of state legislation said the law is needed because many puppies are imported from other states where New York does not have jurisdiction to inspect the conditions in the breeding facility.^[36]

National cruelty and field response

 

Vehicle for pet adoption, in Brooklyn, New York

At the invitation of local agencies, the ASPCA deploys to sites of large-scale animal abuse, animal neglect, natural disasters, or man-made disasters in which animals are at risk. Teams, including National Field Response, Legal Advocacy and Investigations, Forensic Sciences, the Cruelty Recovery Center, Relocation and the Behavioral Sciences team, engage in animal rescue efforts. They provide behavioral and medical treatment for the animals and support the prosecution of criminal cases with forensic science, evidence collection and analysis, and legal and expert testimony support.^[37]

Cases involving torture, killings and mistreatment of animals are some examples of cases handled by the ASPCA. A common example was displayed in the news in October 2008, when the ASPCA was in charge of an investigation involving the slaughtering of a beagle that lived in the Bronx. Brian McCafferty was charged with torturing and injuring his wife's beagle, Jerry, after an argument with his wife. The ASPCA conducted a necropsy that concluded that Jerry was stabbed twice and shot in the neck with a rifle. McCafferty claims that he was acting in self-defense when the dog attacked him. He was eventually released on bail.^[38]

In 2016, ASPCA field deployment teams participated in a large animal cruelty rescue operation, rescuing nearly 700 animals from an unlicensed facility in North Carolina.^[37]

Other large-scale ASPCA rescues included providing emergency sheltering and assistance for approximately 1,300 animals displaced during the Joplin tornado in 2011, and assisting with the care of 367 dogs in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia in 2013 ,in what is believed to be the second-largest dogfighting raid in U.S. history.^[39][40]

In September 2013, after many years of providing humane law enforcement services in NYC, the ASPCA and the New York City Police Department announced a collaboration to provide enhanced protection to New York City’s animals.^[41] In this partnership, the NYPD responds to all animal cruelty complaints throughout New York City, while the ASPCA provides medical and behavioral care for animal cruelty victims and provides legal and forensic assistance in the prosecution of cases.^[42][43] The ASPCA Community Engagement team also works closely with the NYPD to connect pets in need to services such as medical care, grooming and pet supplies.^[44][45]

In 2020, the ASPCA also opened the ASPCA Veterinary Forensic Science Center in Gainesville, Florida, to assist law enforcement with animal cruelty investigations and prosecutions.^[46]

Welfare of farm animals and horses

The ASPCA’s Farm Animal Welfare Program features a “Shop With Your Heart” campaign that guides consumers on making animal welfare-conscious food buying decisions including seeking out meat, egg, and dairy products certified by one of three credible animal welfare certifications, including Global Animal Partnership (GAP), and exploring more plant-based food options.^[47][48]

The ASPCA’s Right Horse Initiative is focused on increasing the number of successful horse adoptions in the U.S. and improving the number of positive outcomes for horses in transition as they move from one home, career, or owner to the next.^[49]

Animal relocation

ASPCA works with other animal welfare organizations and rescue groups to relocate animals from areas with high rates of euthanasia in animal shelters to locations with higher adoption rates. Often, animals are moved from the southern to northern U.S. states. Animals may be transported using aircraft or vehicles, sometimes being relayed between transporters multiple times along the way. As of March 2022, ASPCA had a fleet of 18 vans used for transport. The organization relocated approximately 200,000 animals between 2017 and 2022.^[50]

Behaviour rehabilitation centers

ASPCA operates centers where dogs that have experienced abuse or trauma receive treatment and behavior rehabilitation before being cleared for adoption. As of 2022, the organization has committed $40 million to building and operating the centers, which are located in Weaverville, North Carolina,^[51] Columbus, Ohio,^[52] with another being developed in Pawling, New York.^[51] The Weaverville center opened in 2020 and was the world's first clinic for treating dogs that have been severely traumatized. The concept was conceived in 2010 by two ASPCA behaviorists as a way to reduce the number of dogs that are euthanized in shelters for behavior issues. The organization piloted the program in 2013 at a temporary site in Madison, New Jersey and reported that approximately 90 percent of the dogs treated recovered enough to be adopted. In 2014, ASPCA purchased land in Weaverville where it built the center. As of July 2022, the Weaverville center had 35 full-time staff, and had rehabilitated 500 dogs since opening.^[51]

Presidents and chairpersons

ASPCA President (or equivalent)^[53] Henry Bergh 1866–1888 N. P. Hosack 1868–1877 Thomas W. Hartfield 1873–1882 Charles H. Hankinson 1882–1907 William K. Horton 1907–1929 William E. Bevan 1929–1937 Eugene Berlinghoff 1935–1953 Warren W. McSpadden 1953–1958 Arthur L. Amundsen 1958–1961 William Mapel 1960–1972 Encil E. Rains 1972–1977 Duncan Wright 1977–1978 John F. Kullberg, Ed.D. 1978–1991 Roger A. Caras 1991–1998 Larry M. Hawk, D.V.M. 1999–2003 Edwin J. Sayres 2003– May 31, 2013 Matthew E. Bershadker June 1, 2013 –

ASPCA Chairperson (or equivalent) Henry Bergh 1866–1888 Henry Bergh Jr. 1888–1889 John P. Haines 1889–1906 Alfred Wagstaff 1906–1921 Frank K. Sturgis 1921–1931 George M. Woolsey 1931–1937 Alexander S. Webb 1937–1947 John D. Beals Jr. 1947–1952 Hugh E. Paine 1952–1955 William A. Rockefeller 1955–1963 James H. Jenkins 1963–1969 John F. Thompson Jr. 1969–1971 Charles S. Haines 1971–1973 Alastair B. Martin 1973–1976 Louis F. Bishop III 1976–1979 Marvin Schiller 1979–1981 George W. Gowen 1981–1983 Thomas N. McCarter III 1983–1995 James F. Stebbins 1995–1997 Steven M. Elkman 1997–2003 Hoyle C. Jones 2003–2009^[54] Marsha P. Perelman 2009-2011^[55] Mary Jo White 2011-2012^[56] Tim Wray 2012-2016^[57] Fred Tanne 2016-2020^[58] Sally Spooner 2020-^[59]

See also

•  New York City portal
•  New York (state) portal

• Humane Society of the United States
• List of animal rights groups
• People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

Notes

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2. "ASPCA Announces President and CEO Ed Sayres' Intention to Step Down" (Press release). ASPCA. 25 July 2012. from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
3. "ASPCA Board of Directors Names Matthew Bershadker President and CEO". from the original on 2022-07-06. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
4. Eschner, Kat. "The ASPCA's Founder Was Known as "The Great Meddler"". Smithsonian Magazine. from the original on 2021-04-10. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
5. "ASPCA is founded". HISTORY. from the original on 2021-04-10. Retrieved 2021-04-05.
6. "The Development of the Anti-Cruelty Laws During the 1800's | Animal Legal & Historical Center". www.animallaw.info. from the original on 2021-04-10. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
7. Priest, Claire (2019). "Enforcing Sympathy: Animal Cruelty Doctrine after the Civil War". Law & Social Inquiry. 44 (1): 136–169. doi:10.1017/lsi.2018.11. ISSN 0897-6546.
8. "ASPCA". ASPCA. from the original on 2005-09-07. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
9. Hicks, Jonathan P. (March 26, 1993). "A.S.P.C.A. Plans to Stop Killing Strays". The New York Times. from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
10. Office Of Oversight and Investigations - New York City Council (June 1997). . Archived from the original on 2011-06-30.
11. "Audit Report on the Shelter Conditions and Adoption Efforts of the Center for Animal Care and Control" (PDF). comptroller.nyc.gov. 2002-06-06. (PDF) from the original on 2022-10-10. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
12. "Success, 150 Years In The Making The History of ASPCA' S Charitable Efforts". Pets Magazine in New York | Dogs Magazine | Cats Magazine. 2011-10-01. from the original on 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
13. "Agency starts big pet-rescue project in California". Yahoo.com. 2014-05-06. from the original on 2021-05-19. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
14. "Who Speaks for the Carriage Horses?". New York Times. 2014-01-17. from the original on 2022-12-16. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
15. Charlesworth, Michelle (2015-10-05). "Rehab facility for abused dogs opens at Upper East Side ASPCA". ABC7 New York. from the original on 2021-06-02. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
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25. "Coronavirus spurs surge in North Bay pet adoptions". The North Bay Business Journal. 2020-11-09. from the original on 2021-06-02. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
26. "Around Brooklyn: Applications to community boards up". Brooklyn Eagle. 2021-04-09. from the original on 2021-05-23. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
27. . Denver Post. Archived from the original on December 30, 2012. Retrieved 2017-01-08.
28. Bernstein, Jacob (28 June 2013). "Angst at the ASPCA". New York Times. from the original on 2021-03-23. Retrieved 2013-06-28.
29. "CBS News Invetigation Finds: ASPCA Spending May Not Be What Donoars Expect". CBS News. from the original on 2023-01-02. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
30. "Around Brooklyn: Applications to community boards up". Brooklyn Eagle. 2021-04-09. from the original on 2021-05-23. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
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33. "Rethinking the Regulation of Dog Breeds | The Regulatory Review". www.theregreview.org. 2020-04-23. from the original on 2021-05-23. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
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35. Harding, Robert (December 16, 2022). "NY law ends 'puppy mill pipeline,' bans pet stores from selling cats, dogs and rabbits". The Citizen. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
36. Collins, Kate (December 15, 2022). "NY Puppy Mill Pipeline Bill signed into law by Gov. Hochul". Ithaca Journal. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
37. "Overview of ASPCA Field Investigations & Response and the Nuts and Bolts of Animals in Distress-Disasters". Maddie's Fund. from the original on 2021-05-23. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
38. . Irishabroad.com. 2008-11-05. Archived from the original on 2011-06-10. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
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48. "Cafe Spice Joins ASPCA's Shop With Your Heart Program". Perishable News. 2019-04-08. from the original on 2021-05-23. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
49. "My Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week - Shady". Horse Illustrated. 2021-03-29. from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
50. Blum, Andrew (February 3, 2022). "How America Saved Millions of Dogs—By Moving Them". Time. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
51. Solotaroff, Paul (July 4, 2022). "1,000 Dogs Are Put Down Every Day. These Trainers Are Trying to Save Them". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
52. Spears, Darcy (November 21, 2022). "More than 170 dogs euthanized in Nye County cruelty case". KTNV. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
53. source: Lane, Landon M.; Stephen L. Zawistowski Ph.D. (2007-12-30). Heritage of Care: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Praeger. pp. 147–148. ISBN 978-0275990213.
54. "Hoyle C. Jones, Chairman and CEO of the ASPCA stands with Linda..." Getty Images. from the original on 2021-05-23. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
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56. "ASPCA Elects Mary Jo White to Chair of the Board". www.prnewswire.com. from the original on 2021-05-23. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
57. "ASPCA Elects Tim F. Wray to Chair of the Board". ASPCA. from the original on 2021-05-23. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
58. "ASPCA Elects Frederick Tanne to Chair of the Board of Leading National Animal Welfare Organization". ASPCA. from the original on 2021-05-23. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
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References

Much of the content of this article is based on information from the official ASPCA website: "ASPCA: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals".

External links

• Finding aid for the ASPCA Papers, 1868-1889 at the Museum of the City of New York