Heritage of Care

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Marion S. Lane, Stephen L. Zawistowski Ph.D.

• Publisher: Praeger
• Year: 2007
• Print ISBN:
  9780275990213
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9780313076176
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: North American History
• Index: History

Founded in 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was the nation's first animal welfare organization. The society had its origins in the fervor for social reform that characterized the era following the Civil War. Its founder, Henry Bergh, organized the ASPCA because of his abhorrence of injustice — personally, he was never especially interested in animals. The society's agents—known in the early years as Bergh's men—were empowered to enforce the law throughout the state. Bergh used the media to advance his cause, and many of the issues that he confronted were covered in the press. Heritage of Care brings these early efforts to life again.

After Bergh's death, the ASPCA's original mission to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals drew committed men and women to continue the work. From 1894 to 1994, the ASPCA handled animal control for New York City, changing the image of dog pounds to animal shelters by introducing the concept of a professional staff. And just as Bergh preached kindness to children in the orphanages of old New York, his successors instilled caring attitudes through the new medium of television, and later through the Internet. Heritage of Care brings the society's work up-to-date. It is an insider's look at Bergh's men and Bergh's women of the twenty-first century.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Foreword
• Preface
• ASPCA Milestones
• Chapter One: ‘‘The Great Meddler’’
• Chapter Two: The Work Begins
• Chapter Three: One Hundred Years of Animal Control
• Chapter Four: Horses and Farm Animals
• Chapter Five: Pets and People: The ASPCA’s New Mission
• Chapter Six: Veterinary Services
• Chapter Seven: Training and Behavior
• Chapter Eight: Enforcing the Law
• Chapter Nine: Advocating for Animals
• Chapter Ten: Working with Others
• Chapter Eleven: Humane Education
• Chapter Twelve: Humane Communities
• Afterword
• Appendix I ASPCA Chairmen and Presidents
• Appendix II ASPCA Canine Behavior Evaluation Form
• Appendix III ASPCA Pet Books
• Appendix IV Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award and Honor Winners
• Appendix V The Asilomar Accords
• Appendix VI Berghliography: Books about Henry Bergh and the ASPCA
• Bibliography
• Index