American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Founded in 1866, ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) was the first animal welfare organization founded in North America and is now the leading voice in the country for endangered and endangered animals. ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, has a strong local presence, and is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, horses, and farm animals through programs in the United States. ASPCA helps animals in need through on-site disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and advancing the shelter and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.
Influential historical data: In 1867, the ASPCA operated the first ambulance for injured horses in New York City. In 1973 the ASPCA began castration / neutering for all adopted animals and in 1993 was the first national animal welfare organization to start using state-of-the-art microchips for animal identification.
In the early 2000s, the ASPCA became a joint presence in providing critical support to animals in the face of natural disasters, puppy factory failures, dog fights, and other forms of cruelty.
The ASPCA opened the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center in 2013 – the first and only facility dedicated to providing behavioral support for very anxious dogs, such as those confiscated from puppy mills and hoards.
In 2016, ASPCA launched its Shop With Your Heart program to educate consumers, food companies, and lawmakers about solutions that will improve the lives of the nearly 10 billion animals raised for food each year in the United States. In 2019, The Right Horse Initiative became an ASPCA program to massively increase the number of successful horse adoptions nationwide.
Unique Annual Event: The ASPCA Annual Humane Awards Luncheon honors animal heroes and individuals who are deeply committed to animal welfare. ASPCA Humane Awards are presented in categories such as ASPCA Dog of the Year, ASPCA Cat of the Year, ASPCA Tommy P. Monahan Kid of the Year Award, ASPCA Public Service Award, and ASPCA Presidential Service Award.
Best Friends Animal Society
In 1984, Best Friends founded the nation’s largest non-kill wildlife sanctuary and a national movement to end the killing of pets. Today’s national goal is No-Kill 2025, working with more than 3,200 Best Friends Network partners (shelters, rescue groups, neutering / neutering organizations, and animal welfare organizations across the country) to end animal shelters’ killings by 2025. The Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, is the “home between home” for around 1,600 rescued animals at any one time. Best Friends is a local, state, and national advocate for pets and people.
Impactful historical data: Best Friends has regional life-saving centers in Salt Lake City (as of 2013), Los Angeles (2011) and New York (2017). The No-Kill Los Angeles (NKLA) initiative was launched in 2012 and No-Kill Utah (NKUT) in 2014. In 2019, Best Friends partnered with Southern Utah University to create the nation’s first university-sponsored leadership program in animal services for professionals. The group also has offices in Atlanta, Houston and will open a Pet Resource Center in northwest Arkansas in 2022.
The National Geographic series DogTown, featuring the dogs, caretakers, and medical team from the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, aired from 2008 to 2010 and re-aired on the CW Television Network as Dog Town, USA.
Unique Annual Events: In 1996, Strut Your Mutt launched, today a multi-million dollar national fundraiser that will benefit animal shelters and rescues across the country. The annual Best Friends National Conference (first referred to as the No More Homeless Pets National Conference) was launched in 2001, which enables welfare leaders and supporters from across the country to network and learn about the latest techniques for living Rescue homeless pets.
North Shore Animal League America
Founded in 1944 as the North Shore Animal League and Dog Protective Association, Inc., Long Island rescues homeless animals and is dedicated to the no-kill philosophy. Since its inception, Animal League America’s national programs and initiatives have had a huge impact on dog rescue, adoption, and awareness raising, and the number of euthanasia animals in the United States. Since its inception, more than 1.1 million dogs, cats, puppies and kittens have been rescued and today it places an average of 18,000 pets in loving households every year.
Key Historical Data: In 1991, the NSALA’s Humane Relocation Program began with weekly transports from overcrowded urban animal shelters and commercial breeding facilities across the country to the safe campus. In 1993, its referral service SpayUSA – the first of its kind – premiered, connecting people across the country with inexpensive, high quality spay and neutering services for their pets.
Unique Annual Events: The Global Pet Adopthon (first conducted in 1995) reaches the world annually to save the lives of tens of thousands of pets. Founded in 2001, Tour For Life takes Animal League America’s mobile rescue units onto the streets, using the units and their expertise to help animal shelters across the country save more animals.
