Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
| Formation | June 16, 1824 England, U.K. |
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A Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a common name for non-profit animal welfare organizations around the world. The oldest SPCA organization is the RSPCA, which was founded in England in 1824. SPCA organizations operate independently of each other and campaign for animal welfare, assist in the prevention of cruelty to animals cases, rehabilitation and finding homes for maltreated and unwanted animals that can be reestablished into new homes. Policies regarding animal euthanasia, handling feral cats, and similar issues vary by organization.
All SPCAs around the world are independent of one another and are not affiliated in any way. Every SPCA has their own governing policies, financial reports, board of directors, and organizational goals.
In 2010, SPCA International was founded in the United States to implement outreach programs, emergency financial aid for organizations, and recognition grants on an international level. It is responsible for Operation Baghdad Pups, which safely transports pets adopted by US troops while stationed overseas. Online, it runs public discussion forums, plus helps individuals find information, advocate against abuse, and connects them with nearby shelters. In line with its name, it also offers assistance opening animal cruelty investigations and offers a "Cruelty Crime Stopper" reward for tips that help lead to convictions.
Charity Watch gave SPCA International an "F" grade for money mismanagement.
In 2012, a CNN investigation found that SPCA International had raised almost $27 million but spent nearly all of that money on fundraising expenses paid to a direct mail company. Of the $14 million that SPCA International raised in 2010, the organization spent only $60,000 in cash grants to animal shelters across the United States. CNN also accused SPCA International of misrepresenting a program called "Baghdad Pups" on its tax filings and hiring an officer for that program with a questionable background.
SPCAs founded in countries around the world are not tied to SPCA International (US Charity) in any way.
In the United States, all organizations using the name SPCA are independent; there is no umbrella organization. Some of the more notable organizations include:
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