-
THE FOUNDING
Henry Bergh founded the ASPCA. It was the first organization to fight for animals and give them a voice and respect that they deserved. This was the first ant-cruelty group in the Western Hemisphere. Bergh believed that society should protect animals and their rights (ASPCA). -
Law
Because of the ASPCA, the first anti-cruelty law was passed. It was granted the right to enforce anticruelty laws. The early goals were to make sure the focus the horse and livestock were being treated properly. The New Yrok Sate Legislature granted the ASPCA the right to enforce this type of law (ASPCA). -
Progress
There is no date listed, just the year, but 1875 was a big progress year for the ASPCA, it marked the creation of a sling for a horse resuce. Bergh advoated different and humane alternatives to let horse drink water when they were pulling a street car in New York City. Other animals like dog, cats and birds visited this water fountains. And it showed other humane and alternative ways to let pigeons live (ASPCA). -
Example
An example of different of laws working against people who created animals cruelly. When a headline read in the Long Island Star, "Two Bull Dogs Chew Each Other Up" and it was attended by men. The prize was 1,000 dollars. The ASPCA fought that laws regarding dog fighting be narrowed or nonexistent (ASPCA). -
Death of Bergh
In 1888, Bergh passed away. Up to this date, 37 out of the 38 states in the United States passed some sort of anti-cruelty law to insure the protection of animals. Taking caring of the animals touched America's heart and people realized that animals needed to be treated with respected. Written in The Citizen upon his death: "...he has made too many converts to render it all likely that his commonwealth will ever relapse into a condition to witness cruelty to animals without resentment" (ASPCA). -
Laws
There was a second shelter established in Brooklyn. It was reported that the shelter was now conducted with kindess and principles. The wandering animal that went unclaimed were not euthanized admittly anymore. The ASPCA waited and after, they were humanely euthanized. At first dogs were only written into this law, but eventually cats were too. There was a difference in ownership of the animal and the wild state of the animal (ASPCA). -
Class
Even though there was no exact date written, the ASPCA in 1944, developed a nine-week dog training class. This was the first of its kind. The Society claimed that it was not about making the dog obedient, but creating a bond between the owner and dog. It gives a sense of responsibilty to both the owner and dog. Now, there is a whole center for different behaviors, like classes and training (ASPCA). -
Improvement
There is a time frame between 1950-1960 where the life expancy of dogs, cats and other pets increased significantly. Because of the laws the ASPCA help advocate for, canned food was made easier and it was more safer for animals to eat. Also, it was eaier to own a cat because of the development of cat litter (ASPCA). -
Microchipping
The ASPCA was one of the first animal right groups to develop a microchip to inject into the animal just in case the pet became lost. The owner would get a certain code and the facility would scan it. Immediately, the device will show the location of the animal that is missing (ASPCA). -
Good or bad?
The ASPCA’s contract that provided animal control for New York City expired. There was a decision made not to renew it. This job drained a lot of money and resources from organization. Over 50 years ago, the Society was slowly losing money, but over time, there was improvements made. Eventually, improvements like the number of euthanizations to animals dropped (ASPCA). -
Mission: Orange
In 2007, there was a program founded named "Mission:Orange." This mission is when the ASPCA partners up with other animal rights groups in four different cities: Austin, Texas, Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi, Philadelphia, PA, and Tampa, FL. The Society made a three year committment to each of these cites to make over $200,000 to help animals get into shelters around these areas (Bierman).
