ASPCA Sponsors Prevention of Animal Cruelty Campaign in April

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Wednesday, 31 March 2004

Organization launches "Fight Animal Cruelty" Web component to help americans recognize and report all acts of violence and neglect toward animals.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) sponsors April as Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month to educate Americans about animal cruelty and to urge them to report any instances of violence toward animals. On April 1, the ASPCA will launch "Fight Animal Cruelty," a web component that will be accessible via www.aspca.org. The website will include a comprehensive anti-cruelty database allowing users to learn about humane laws and designated penalties in their state, and a humane directory to locate local humane law enforcement agencies. The site section will also include a broadcast public service announcement featuring ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement agent Joe Pentangelo that will launch on the Animal Planet network in April, as well as anti-cruelty prevention tips and links to articles, success stories and on-line advocacy campaigns.

"We designed 'Fight Animal Cruelty' as a virtual one-stop shop for any American seeking ways to protect our nation's animals," says Garth Moore, ASPCA Director of Internet Communications. "Our user-friendly legislative database and law enforcement directory will be extremely helpful since animal cruelty laws vary from state to state, and the agency responsible for investigating cases may vary from county to county. In the long run, when information is easier to access, more animals will be saved and protected."

Cruelty can range from simple neglect (failure to provide food, water, shelter or necessary medical care) to intentional abuse, torture or death. Violence against animals may also be part of a pattern of violence against people. In 2003 the ASPCA's Humane Law Enforcement department's 16 agents and special investigators investigated close to 4,000 complaints of suspected animal cruelty in New York City.

The ASPCA offers the following advice to make life more humane for the animals in your community:

• If you witness or hear about a possible case of animal cruelty taking place, report it to your local humane organization or call your local police.
• Learn about animal-friendly legislation pending in your state from the ASPCA's Government Affairs and Public Policy department. You can actively help in passing laws by writing letters of support to your lawmakers. The advocacy center at www.aspca.org allows you to automatically send personal letters to state or federal officials.
• Teach future generations to respect animal life. Make sure schools in your town include humane education as part of their curriculum or lesson plans. Contact the ASPCA at education@aspca.org for classroom resources.
• Adopt a pet at your local shelter. You can view pictures of thousands of available animals at www.petfinder.com. Local shelter listings can also be found under "Humane Societies" or "Animal Shelters" in the Yellow Pages.

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