ASPCA -- putting animals in the arms of angels (of death)

Does this sad little puppy look at you from your computer monitor? Are you moved to tears by the TV commercials with Sarah McLachlan singing “In the Arms of an Angel”?

If you're tempted to write a check for $18 every month to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals so that this sad faced little pup can run free in the clover with a loving family, there are things you should know about ASPCA.

Last year, ASPCA had total revenues of almost $150 million dollars in donations, inheritances and interest. They reported receiving $122 million in donations. That makes it the richest SPCA in the country. Yet, it adopts out fewer animals than some small rescue groups and shelters. Its president makes over a half million dollars in salary plus many benefits.

 

Now I am not against success. I love success. Anyone who produces a product or service that people want to pay for deserves the rewards. But an organization that solicits money from the public to protect dogs and cats and then is responsible for exploiting, neglecting, or killing them does not deserve to be rewarded.

A large percent of the money people donate goes to pay for further tear-jerking advertising to solicit even more donations. TV time and computer space are expensive and multi-million dollar organizations don't get free PSA's.

In spite of the name "American," ASPCA is headquartered in New York City where it does most of its work. Each SPCA across the country is a separate nonprofit organization.

The public is misled into believing that ASPCA is a national organization.

The California SPCA has complained that only three-tenths of a percent of their millions collected went to California. While they may give a few dollars outside of New York, if you live in Texas, or Ohio, or Wyoming or California, the chance of your local shelter getting any money from them is pretty much squat.

It isn't unusual for ASPCA and HSUS to raid puppy mills or dog fighting operations, get a lot of publicity, and overwhelm local shelters by dumping the dogs there.

   

 

And how are they doing in New York City?

In spite of their milllions and their influence, they have consistently opposed no kill shelters and laws that would protect the lives of pets.

Which is only logical.

Without those pathetic little animals behind bars with a death sentence hanging over them, what would they use to raise their millions from a generous public?

A New York News station has recently uncovered evidence that the ASPCA law enforcement division is allowing abused animals to die all over New York City.

And there was the sad case of Oreo, the badly abused dog who was nursed back to health by ASPCA. They blatently used her story to raise a lot of money. But when Oreo was finally whole again and of no further use to them, they killed her in spite of public outcry and various rescues who begged to take her.

Then they managed to use their considerable clout to stop the passing of Oreo's Law, which would require any animal scheduled for death to be released to any 501c3 rescue organization that requested possession. California and Illinois have versions of Oreo's law.

 

In December ASPCA paid Feld Entertainment (Ringling Brothers Circus) $9.3 million to settle charges against them of litigation abuse and racketeering.

In a lawsuit that went on for over ten years it was ruled in 2009 that ASPCA, HSUS  and several other animal rights groups were paying the plaintiff and chief witness, Tom Rider, at least $190,000 to give untruthful testimony playing the part of an injured plaintiff. ASPCA et al lost their appeal in 2011.

Based on the ruling

Feld Entertainment brought suit [in federal court] against ASPCA, HSUS and other animal rights activists and their lawyers alleging violations of the RICO statute and Virginia Conspiracy Act, malicious prosecution, and abuse of process. Source

ASPCA wisely paid to settle, but the suit against the other AR organizations goes on. 

 

So the next time you see one of those sad little kitten ads for a donation to ASPCA, before you get out your credit card, you might want to read this story about how a multi-million dollar organization that is supposed to protect him used their resources to kill him.

Of course they probably took his picture first.

 

 MORE ANIMALS ARE HELPED BY LOCAL SHELTERS AND RESCUES.

Comments

[Becky]

Those commercials are heart wrenching. I will not watch them. I do donate to my local shelter. In fact it is probably time for me to donate some of my time when they get ready to build and new shelter.

[Judy L]

This is very sad, I didn't know any of this.

[Kirsten]

I'm so glad you posted this! I've heard that ASPCA just rakes in the bucks from that ad campaign, and it makes me sick. The silver lining I guess is that those of us trying to raise money for our causes can learn from them how to be effective. I'll never send them a dime and hope that the word gets out to others from excellent efforts like this post.

[jet]

This is so sad. In a way though the small rescues are awesome *BECAUSE* they don't get bundles of cash and run only on goodwill. Wherever there is money there is a scumbag out to exploit it.

[Donna]

I've read very persuasive arguments on both sides of the coin, trying to glean a hint of truth about the ASPCA and the Humane Society. Finally, I gave up, and now when I donate, it goes to local groups that I know personally. It's just safer all around - and that goes for most charities.

[Sherry in MT]

I can't deal with the ASPCA adds. I am with Donna, I give my time and money to my local organizations (have the same issue with United Way) so there isn't a bunch being siphoned off the top for their "administrative costs"!

[yellowdoggranny]

I knew most of this which is why I never give them (or PETA) any money them sonsabitches.
can I share this with facebook?

[Jodi]

I hate that commercial and wherever I am when I hear that music I scream, "Turn the channel" I hate people who exploit animals and IMO they are one of the worst.

Great post Jan, I shared it on my facebook page, there are so many people WHO. JUST. DON'T. GET. IT.

[Jerry]

They probably wouldnt get much money if they asked for money to pay for lawyers and settle lawsuits against them.

[Karen Friesecke]

Glad to see a decent news org. stick it to the ASPCA. It's about time that these large welfare orgs get some negative attention about what they are NOT doing, instead of all the puppies and kitties they are "saving" from puppy mills.

[threecollie]

Sickening!

[Jackie Bouchard]

Oh, I so agree with you on this post! I've read much of this in the past, after a personal run-in I had with a person soliciting for the ASPCA outside a store. (A long, not-good story). I actually emailed my local SPCA after that to complain to them about the jerk they had soliciting money - they were so concerned they called me back and explained they have nothing to do with the ASPCA. (What was the NY ASPCA doing in CA anyway??) That's when I started researching and found out all this ugly info about the ASPCA. I definitely give my time and money locally. I wish everyone knew this info!

[Pup Fan]

Ugh. I hate those ads. They're so emotionally manipulative.

Thank you for sharing this info.