ASPCAExecutive Director: Dianne Mordoki

About UsThe American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was the first humane society to be established in North America and is, today, one of the largest in the world.

Our organization was founded by Henry Bergh in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans, and must be protected under the law.

Headquartered in New York City, the ASPCA maintains a strong local presence, and with programs that extend our anti-cruelty mission across the country, we are recognized as a national animal welfare organization.

We are a nonprofit corporation, and proud to boast more than 1 million supporters across the country.

Mission and Values

The ASPCA’s mission, as stated by Henry Bergh in 1866, is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”

We care for the common welfare of animals; specifically dogs, cats and horses.

A focused effort to create a country of humane communities, one community at a time, where animals receive the compassion and respect they deserve; a nation where there is no more unnecessary euthanasia of adoptable animals simply because of a lack of resources and awareness

InputsWe have partnerships with conglomerate companies to create win-win situations for both parties

Our organization has the hierarchical career structure similar to profit businesses

We consist of volunteers and managers

We have a President, and CEO Ed Sayres who is a firm believer in the power of a shared goal reached through the collaboration of all organizations and agencies involved

Outputs

We hope to explicate as much as possible on animal cruelty:

Provide shelters for homeless animals

Spread knowledge of animal cruelty through special events

Develop Critical Thinking skills in youth to prevent animal cruelty

To be the voice

Alleviate pain, fear and suffering in animals

Goal

Our overall goal is to increase each community’s live release rate—that is, the number of animals who leave the sheltering system alive. In order to achieve this goal, the ASPCA has made a commitment to support our partners by helping focus their efforts on increasing spay/neuter and feral cat resources and adoption, foster and transfer programs.

Our Programs

A national poison control hotline for pet owners and animal health professionals

A shelter outreach program to promote best practices within locally owned shelters,

A corporate partner program to promote animal-friendly products and services, and a special anti-cruelty initiative to teach animal welfare education and animal welfare law enforcement practices (humane law enforcement) across the United States.

The ASPCA provides relief services for the domestic animal victims of natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, where the National Outreach department collected donations to provide supplies; coordinated volunteer efforts; deployed rescue teams to recover abandoned pets; provided temporary shelter to displaced animals; and reunited pets with their owners.

Outcomes

The ASPCA is involved with disaster preparedness and management. For instance, prior to Hurricane Gustav making landfall in Louisiana on September 1, 2008, the ASPCA checked in more than 800 animals into a shelter located in Shreveport. The ASPCA, along with the American Humane Society, maintained a 24 hour presence at the shelter.

The organization celebrates ASPCA Day on April 10 each year. This celebration encourages supporters to wear orange to commemorate the protection of animals. Orange is the official color of the ASPCA.

Community NeedFive Dogs Seized from Home in Weatherford, Texas

September 28, 2010

Sheriffs in Parker County, Texas, seized five dogs who were found starving inside a Weatherford home on Tuesday, September 21, reports CBS. The dogs, Pit Bull/Boxer mixes, were found in states of extreme emaciation.

A veterinarian who examined the dogs told the Sheriff's Department that the dogs had not had an adequate diet for several months. The owner of the canines, Christine Lynn Shaw, has been arrested on charges of felony animal cruelty.

"It just escapes me how a human being can sit there and watch this every day, the deterioration of an animal," Sheriff Larry Fowler told the news source. "Obviously it leaps out at you that there's something terribly wrong here."

One of the dogs lost so much muscle in his legs that he now has difficulty supporting his own weight. The shelter where the dogs are being kept is slowly increasing the amount of food the dogs eat in hopes that they will one day be eligible for adoption.

Community Need

Anyone who witnesses a possible case of draconian animal abuse should contact their local authorities and provide them with a full report of what was witnessed.

Because of cases such as the “Dogs Seized from Home in Weatherford, Texas” is where ASPCA Law Enforcement comes in. ASPCA takes in these abused animals into their shelters and puts them up for adoption into good homes.

Animal Cruelty can be prevented with the help and engagement of this non profit organization.

Critical Thinking

The ASPCA teaches a substantive concept of Critical Thinking by building a foundation for those unaware of animal cruelty.

The stories told through programs with ASPCA encourage others to reconsider hurting an animal by helping them reflect on these stories and clarify what is right and what is wrong.

It encourages people to discover and process important information.

Critical ActionThe American Society of Prevention for Cruelty to Animals also provides self-regulation by making those aware of the issue take action and help prevent animal cruelty.

ASPCA teaches people how to us sagacious judgment

Help us in the mission to end Animal Cruelty

The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals