Action Spring 2006 Happy 140th, ASPCA! Celebrating 140 Years of Enlightening America for Animals Spring 2006 1 >> PRESIDENT’S NOTE 140 Years of Compassion Board of Directors As a member of the ASPCA, you are part of a unique group of Officers of the Board individuals who have chosen to act Hoyle C. Jones, Chairman, Linda Lloyd Lambert, Vice Chairman, William Secord, Secretary, on their convictions—to help James W. Gerard, Treasurer defenseless animals find peace, comfort, and healing. I am truly Members of the Board grateful for your activism and compassion—highly Penelope Ayers, Alexandra G. Bishop, J. Elizabeth commendable qualities that are truly inspiring. Bradham, Reenie Brown, Wendy H. Carhart, Patricia Qualities not unlike those of Henry Bergh, the ASPCA J. Crawford, Jonathan D. Farkas, Franklin Maisano, William Morrison Matthews, Sean McCarthy, Founder. Gurdon H. Metz, Michael F.X. Murdoch, James L. As we make our way into 2006, I look back with Nederlander, Marsha Reines Perelman, George great pride on our 140-year history as America’s first Stuart Perry, Helen S.C. Pilkington, Gail Sanger, animal welfare organization. 2005 alone was a year Richard Silverman, Sally Spooner, Richard C. filled with planned and unplanned challenges on our Thompson, Cathy Wallach time and resources. Yet, through the unrelenting Directors Emeriti commitment and support of ASPCA staff, volunteers, Steven M. Elkman, George Gowen, Alastair B. and members we were able to make great strides this Martin, Thomas N. McCarter 3rd, Marvin Schiller, past year in improving the lives of animals across the James F. Stebbins, Esq. country. We have created and are implementing some very ambitious initiatives in conjunction with local The ASPCA 424 East 92nd Street animal shelters and rescue groups all across America. New York, NY 10128-6804 And I’m certain you’ll agree they are all worthy and (212) 876-7700 www.aspca.org deserving of your support—for they are saving animals’ E-mail: [email protected] lives every day. Volume 2, Number 1 I hope you too are proud of your membership in the ASPCA Action ASPCA and will show your support on April 10 by is published four times a year by helping to enlighten your community. Please join us in The American Society for celebrating 140 years! the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 424 East 92nd Street New York, NY 10128-6804 Postmaster— Send address changes and undeliverable copies to: ASPCA Action Returns P.O. Box 97288 Edwin Sayres Washington, DC 20090-7288 ASPCA President & CEO Copyright © 2006 The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and ASPCA Action ASPCA are registered trademarks. Editorial created by Rebus LLC, 632 Broadway, 11th Floor, For permission to reprint material from ASPCA Action, New York, NY 10012. www.rebus.com please direct requests to: ASPCA Action Cover photo illustration by Aaron Goodman 110 Fifth Avenue Second Floor Send subscription inquiries to: ASPCA Action, 424 East 92nd Street, New New York, NY 10011 York, NY 10128-6804. E-mail for ASPCA Action: This newsletter is not intended to provide advice on personal health matters [email protected] or to substitute for consultation with a veterinary doctor. 2 ASPCA Action www.aspca.org >> COVER STORY Happy 140th Birthday, ASPCA! Celebrating 140 Years of Enlightening America for Animals It was on a warm spring evening in 1866 to spark recognition of our that ASPCA founder Henry Bergh first anniversary year and to heighten took to the streets of New York City, awareness of the ways Americans can boldly stopping a cart driver from beating help end the suffering of those who his weary horse. Just days before, on April have no voice.” 10, the ASPCA had received its official charter. So began the ASPCA’s 140-year 140 Years Ago mission to provide effective means for When world traveler Henry Bergh first the prevention of cruelty to animals spoke up for animals in Civil War-era throughout the United States—an effort New York, America was not an that continues today. animal-friendly place. Workhorses To commemorate that watershed event, hauled overloaded carts, only to be on Monday, April 10, 2006, the ASPCA whipped or abandoned to die in plans to “go orange” in a big way with its the gutter if they grew too lame orange-themed, animal-centered to work. Dogcatchers, paid by “Enlighten America for Animals” the animal, rounded up pets in celebration [see sidebar, page 5]. Animal cages and tossed them in the river. supporters around the country will don “Sportsmen” openly bet on orange bracelets bearing the ASPCA logo. animals that took hours to fight to Evening skies over New York, Chicago, Los the death. Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, and countless With a knack for oratory and communities in between will glow orange friends in high places, Bergh’s to heighten awareness of the ASPCA’s impassioned accounts of the horrors ongoing commitment to the care and inflicted on animals led the New York welfare of animals. state legislature to pass the charter “Orange is the color of life-saving gear, incorporating the ASPCA on April 10, and saving lives is what the ASPCA has 1866. Nine days later, the first effective been doing since its founding 140 years anti-cruelty law was passed and, with a ago,” says ASPCA Senior VP Jo Sullivan. “It staff of three, the ASPCA began its work seemed particularly fitting to use this color to enforce it. TIMELINE ASPCA: 140 Years of Compassion for Animals ASPCA Leads First Ambulance Humane Care the Way The ASPCA ASPCA veterinarians Henry Bergh founds operates the first advance the use of 1866 1920 the ASPCA, the 1867 ambulance for anesthesia in animal country’s first injured horses in surgery and first use humane organization. New York City, two radium to treat The Society also years before cancer in pets. prompts the New Bellevue Hospital York State legislature put the first to pass the country’s ambulance for first effective anti- humans into service. cruelty law. Spring 2006 3 >> COVER STORY operating the first ambulance service in New York City within a year of its founding, two years before Bellevue Hospital adopted a similar idea for people. And by 1874, child advocates, emboldened by Bergh’s dramatic street rescues of mistreated horses and livestock, turned to the famous leader to help found the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children on behalf of a horribly abused nine-year-old, Mary Ellen McCormack. By the time Bergh died in 1888, 37 of the 38 states in the Union had passed anti-cruelty laws. He The ASPCA first began operating a motorized horse ambulance in 1902. left his mark not just on the streets of New York City but throughout “Day after day I am in quickly took hold and spread. the nation. slaughterhouses, or lying in wait at Within five years of the ASPCA’s midnight with a squad of police founding, humane societies had Furthering Bergh’s near some dog pit,” wrote Bergh, sprung up in such far-flung cities Mission whose lean and well-tailored as Boston, Buffalo, and San Throughout its history, the figure became a familiar sight on Francisco. Many adopted the ASPCA has continued Bergh’s the city’s streets. “Lifting a fallen ASPCA seal depicting an angel efforts to end cruelty and protect horse to his feet, penetrating with upraised arm and sword and care for animals. Highlights buildings where I inspect collars standing guard over a symbolic include: and saddles for raw flesh, then carthorse under attack from a Humane Communities In lecturing in public schools to stick-wielding driver. 1894, the ASPCA assumed the job children, and again to adult Bergh’s pioneering animal work of caring for New York City’s stray societies. Thus my whole life is translated into benefits for human animals from the city government. spent.” society as well. To transport Since then, the ASPCA has helped Bergh’s compassionate ideas injured horses, the ASPCA began millions of unwanted animals find TIMELINE continued Obedience Spay & Neuter Training The ASPCA Adoptions The ASPCA department begins a 1973 1992 1944 1928 inaugurates compulsory spay and obedience training neuter program for all classes for dogs and animals. their owners. A New Generation Greyhound Rescue The ASPCA expands its The ASPCA begins humane education program promoting the adoption of with demonstrations in retired greyhounds to help public school classrooms rescue groups across the and summer playgrounds. country. 4 ASPCA Action www.aspca.org loving homes through its city shelter and mobile adoption Enlighten America for Animals programs and by sharing adoption It takes a band of animal lovers to build a humane community. On April 10, go expertise and funds with shelters orange for animals and join us in celebrating the ASPCA’s 140th birthday: large and small from Maine to Wear an orange wristband, or join a Display ASPCA Anniversary posters California. A $5 million ASPCA city wristband brigade in New York, at school or work. grant in 2005 helped launch Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, or Tie an orange bow to your front door, Maddie’s Fund (named for a Miami. Tell everyone to watch the evening tree, or mailbox. Wear orange shirts or skyline as the Empire State Building and beloved miniature schnauzer) in pants, and accessorize yourself or your other city landmarks glow orange. New York, with a five-year goal of pet with orange jewelry or collars. making the city a model humane Light up in orange. Replace the lights Offer orange cupcakes or orange-ade on your porch or driveway with an community, where homes are at a bake sale to benefit your local shelter.