The ASPCA was founded in 1866 as the first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere . The Society was formed to alleviate the injustices animals faced then, and we continue to battle cruelty today. Whether it’s saving a pet who has been accidentally poisoned, fighting to pass humane laws, rescuing animals from abuse or sharing resources with shelters across the country, we work toward the day in which no animal will live in pain or fear.

The ASPCA cares for animals on national and local levels. At our “no-kill" facility in New York City , we rescue, rehabilitate and provide new homes to more than 2,000 dogs and cats each year. We also provide low-cost spay/neuter and wellness via our mobile clinic, and run a full-service animal hospital. Our Humane Law Enforcement agents uphold and enforce New York ’s animal cruelty laws, while also providing training to other agencies around the country.

On the national level, the ASPCA supports the human/animal bond while fighting cruelty in a variety of ways: providing training and resources to shelters across the country; writing and lobbying for the passage of animal-friendly legislation; promoting humane education through materials, programs and educational forums; offering assistance to pet owners and veterinarians nationwide via the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center; providing a national help service to assist pet guardians with their pets’ common behavior problems; counseling individuals who are faced with the death of a pet, and providing support to shelters and vets on shelter medicine, veterinary forensics, animal abuse and reporting, and spay/neuter programs.