Anti-Cruelty Initiative

The ASPCA’s Anti-Cruelty Initiative: A Lifesaving Agenda

Let me tell you exactly how the ASPCA is fighting cruelty to animals, and why they need your support to continue and expand their lifesaving work.

In 2007, the ASPCA handled over 3,500 cruelty investigations, rescued hundreds of animals, answered over 50,000 phone inquiries, responded to 8,200 emails and conducted numerous training seminars across the country. In addition, they are leading the way to expand and provide training to all levels of local law enforcement and animal welfare professionals. Through a series of courses and seminars, over 3,000 agents, in communities such as yours, have been trained in animal cruelty laws and case handling.

The ASPCA is dedicated to helping entire communities implement proven programs that increase adoptions, teach respect for all living things and continue the fight against animal cruelty. In the last year, their team faced unprecedented challenges and broke new ground. During the pet food recall crisis they were there serving as a resource for thousands of pet parents. When dog-fighting allegations involving Michael Vick arose, they were there bringing an end to the brutal conditions those dogs suffered and ensuring that those responsible would be brought to justice.

2007 also marked the launch of ASPCA: Mission Orange -- a focused effort to create a country of humane communities, on community at a time, where animals receive the compassion and respect they deserve and no adoptable animal is euthanized simply because of a lack of resources or awareness. In less than a year, ASPCA Mission: Orange is already beginning to have an impact. Across all of their targeted communities they have raised the adoption rate 10%, which represents thousands of animals whose lives were saved thanks to these efforts.

The ASPCA is the driving force behind writing and passing tough laws. They have been successful in 43 states in making animal cruelty a felony. But we, in support of the ASPCA won’t stop until the remaining seven adopt similar legislation.

You can help by supporting federal and state legislation giving greater protection to animals and harsher punishment to abusers. For specifics on how you can make a difference in your state, please visit their website at http://www.aspca.org and click on the “lobby” tab, where you can join their online Advocacy Brigade. Then contact your legislators and let them know how you feel!

From education and care to adoption and rescue, The ASPCA is making a life-changing difference for animals across America. Whether its something as simple as providing a comfortable bed or as involved as providing emergency medical treatment and rehabilitation for a cruelty victim, every dollar makes a vital difference in the life of a homeless or abused pet.