1. ASPCA animal cops have the same powers as a regular police officer.
Just like police officers who protect people, animal cops carry badges, wear uniforms, investigate crime scenes, collect evidence and make arrests.
2. ASPCA animal cops wear a special uniform when they're on duty.
They also have to wear a badge, a bullet-proof vest and a special belt that holds all their tools!
3. ASPCA animal cops carry special tools.
Some tools they carry are guns, pepper spray and clubs. These tools are used to make sure the animal cop is safe against any kind of danger.
4. The most important tool an ASPCA animal cop has is a camera!
Animal cops take lots of photos of abused and neglected animals. They can use these photographs as evidence in court to help get the abuser arrested. Pictures are worth a thousand words for the animals!
5. ASPCA animal cops are smart!
Some animal cops went to college and studied criminal justice or animal sciences. Other animal cops went to the police academy! Many ASPCA animal cops also volunteered or worked at veterinary hospitals and animal shelters.
6. ASPCA animal cops are specially trained to do their jobs.
This special training includes classroom lectures, working hands-on with animals and weapons training.
7. ASPCA animal cops work with partners.
Having a partner is much safer than working alone—plus, we all know that two heads are better than one in solving crime!
8. ASPCA animal cops travel all over New York City to make sure animals are safe!
They inspect pet stores, carriage horse stables, circuses and petting zoos, as well as people’s homes and backyards.
9. ASPCA animal cops love all animals!
Besides cats and dogs, animal cops rescue horses, chickens, sheep, goats, rabbits, reptiles, birds and rodents.
10. ASPCA animal cops protect New York City's wild animals, too.
From squirrels to ducks, animal cops step in to help any animal who is being hurt!
11. ASPCA animal cops have good people skills.
When you have a passion for animals and you see them hurt, it’s hard not to show anger at someone who is abusing an animal. But an animal cop has to keep his or her cool and focus on saving the animal.
12. ASPCA animal cops work on the street—and in the office.
The officers spend a lot of their time outside doing investigations, but they all have a desk in an office where they write up their cases and make phone calls.
13. ASPCA animal cops rescued over 400 animals in 2008.
Most rescued animals are treated by veterinarians at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Hospital. And after the animals have recovered and are healthy and strong, they are sent over to the ASPCA Adoption Center, where they wait for the perfect family to take them home.
14. ASPCA animal cops need your help!
If you see someone hurting an animal, it's important to get help fast. Don't try to help the animal yourself. Instead, the best thing to do is to tell an adult you trust. Together, you and the adult can call the police or your local animal shelter.