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Preventing Animal Cruelty

ASPCA Offers Guidelines for Protecting Animals

ASPCA Public Affairs

April marks Animal Cruelty Prevention Month, sponsored by The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The ASPCA was founded on April 10, 1866 by Henry Bergh to alleviate pain, fear and suffering in animals. Ten days later, the New York State legislature passed the first effective animal cruelty law in the United States, giving the recently chartered Society the ability to investigate violations and arrest people.

Animal cruelty laws vary from state to state, and the agency responsible for investigating cases may vary from county to county. Cruelty can range from simple neglect (failure to provide food, water, shelter or necessary medical care) to intentional abuse, torture or death. Violence against animals can also be part of a pattern of violence against people.

The ASPCA offers the following advice to make life more humane for the animals sharing our environment:

If you witness or hear about animal cruelty taking place, report it to your local humane organization or call your local police. Community animal shelters are listed under "Humane Societies" or "Animal Shelters" in the Yellow Pages, and can also be found on a searchable database at www.aspca.org.
Learn about animal-friendly legislation pending in your state from The ASPCA's government affairs department. You can actively help in passing laws by writing letters of support to your lawmakers. Voice Your Opinion at www.aspca.org allows you to automatically send personal letters to state or federal officials.
The ASPCA's Legal Department can advise local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors that are investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty cases; notify us about pending cases by emailing legal@aspca.org.
Teaching future generations to respect animal life will make our society more humane. Make sure schools in your town include humane education as part of their curriculum or lesson plans. Contact The ASPCA at education@aspca.org for classroom resources.
If you want to adopt a pet, go to your local shelter first. You can see pictures of thousands of available animals at Petfinder.org. Local shelters can also be found under "Humane Societies" or "Animal Shelters" in the Yellow Pages.
If you own a pet, be responsible and provide it with annual veterinary check-ups and preventative medical care; spay or neuter your cat or dog to reduce the pet population, and urge your friends to do the same.
Support your local animal rescue organization or shelter with donations of money, food or supplies. Volunteering your time or fostering a shelter animal is a good way to make a difference. Fostering helps socialize abused or frightened animals before they are adopted.

Check out The ASPCA's new web site (www.aspca.org) to see how you can help animals with the click of a mouse. Departments at The ASPCA can also be reached by mail at:

Courtesy of
ASPCA
424 East 92nd St.
New York, NY 10128-6804
(212) 876-7700
www.aspca.org

Next in How You Can Help Pets: Preventing Animal Cruelty:
Animal Cruelty - Frequently Asked Questions