ASPCA — American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was founded in New York City in 1866 by Henry Bergh and describes itself as the first animal welfare organisation in North America. Its headquarters is still on East 92nd Street in Manhattan, where it runs its NYC Adoption Center and animal hospital.

Today the ASPCA works across the United States. Its teams investigate cruelty and rescue animals from neglect, hoarding, puppy mills and natural disasters, care for and rehabilitate seized animals, and work on animal welfare laws, farm animal welfare and the puppy industry. It runs a behavioural rehabilitation programme for very fearful dogs, low-cost veterinary services, grants for local shelters, and the 24-hour ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Besides New York City it has local services in Los Angeles, Miami, Asheville in North Carolina and Oklahoma City, where it runs an equine transition and adoption centre. It says its hands-on work directly reaches hundreds of thousands of animals each year.

To adopt in New York, visit the ASPCA Adoption Center (check opening hours and directions on its website before you go) or browse the animals online. You can also foster, volunteer, report cruelty or donate. The ASPCA is a US 501(c)(3) charity (EIN 13-1623829) with a four-star Charity Navigator rating, so donations are tax-deductible in the US.