ASPCA Launches Animaland Online

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Thursday, 4 January 2001

The nation's oldest humane organization reaches out to children via the Internet.

In celebration of the New Year and in honor of our younger animal welfare advocates, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the nation's oldest humane organization launched animaland.org, a web site designed exclusively for children ages 7-12.

"We designed this site to create a cyber community of kids who love animals while educating them in a fun and challenging atmosphere," commented Garth Moore, Web Producer for the ASPCA. "On a single site, kids can play innovative, multi-level and educational games. They can also e-mail animal related questions to ASPCA staff, participate in contests, and learn about the latest news in the animal welfare community." Animaland.org launched on January 1, 2001.

ASPCA humane educators provided the site with the latest animal welfare materials geared towards children. Many of the same materials featured on animaland.org are also taught in elementary schools throughout the country as part of the ASPCA Humane Education Program.

The artistic and technological aspects of the site were crafted by both ASPCA web designers and Big Fun Development Organization, an Atlanta based studio, originally a division of Turner Broadcasting that offers top engineering and graphic talent. "Animaland's Fetch game shows off unique dynamics. The player must work with the animals to win the game," commented Dov Jacobson, President of Big Fun. "It's cooperation, not combat, and that's rare in an action game."

Funding for the site came from a grant awarded to the ASPCA by the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund. The grant was given to animaland.org, to increase the awareness of conservation through technology and humane education.

For more information, or to contact American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, see their website at: www.aspca.org