On the national level, the ASPCA supports the human/companion animal bond while fighting cruelty to animals through the National Program Office, the Midwest Regional Office, the National Outreach Department, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Counseling Services and the National Program Catalog.
0.3.1 National Program Office
All of the programs and activities that apply to companion animals nationwide, as distinct from those in New York City, fall under the supervision of the National Program Office (NPO). In addition, the NPO has responsibility for formulating the ASPCA’s official policies and positions on the important animal welfare and well-being issues of the day.
0.3.2 National Outreach Department
National Outreach team members include seasoned animal welfare professionals, veterinarians, attorneys, animal behaviorists and humane educators. National Outreach is comprised of five departments.
0.3.2.1 Shelter Outreach
Regional Shelter Outreach managers and national advisors provide direct support to shelters, including training, materials, advice, networking and resources. Shelter Outreach advisors specialize in particular areas of expertise and provide assistance to shelters across the country.
0.3.2.2 Legislative Services
Legislative Services writes and lobbies for the passage of animal-friendly legislation on the state level, counsels state legislators, law enforcement and individuals with questions concerning animals and works with the media to publicize state legislative issues.
0.3.2.3 Veterinary Outreach
Veterinary Outreach is comprised of veterinarians experienced in shelter medicine, veterinary forensics, animal abuse and reporting, spay/neuter programs and equine issues. They provide support to animal shelters, veterinarians and community collaborations.
0.3.2.4 Animal-Assisted Therapy
In conjunction with the Delta Society, the ASPCA facilitates an Animal-Assisted Therapy program that trains dogs and cats—and their human handlers—to bring love, hope and cheer to patients in New York City medical and mental health facilities as well as to schools.
0.3.3 Midwest Regional Office
Located in Urbana, Illinois, the ASPCA Midwest Regional Office houses the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), the ASPCA Animal Behavior Center (ABC) and the Knowledge Management Center (KMC), three national professional groups that provide expertise to support companion animal health and well-being.
0.3.3.1 ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
The Animal Poison Control Center is the only poison control center dedicated to animals in North America. APCC’s specially trained staff, including veterinarians, board-certified veterinary toxicologists and certified veterinary technicians, provides assistance to pet owners and specific analysis and treatment recommendations to veterinarians pertaining to toxic chemicals and dangerous plants, products and substances. In 2003, the APCC handled roughly 88,000 cases. Its hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. APCC also provides extensive veterinary toxicology expert consulting on a wide array of subjects including legal cases, formulation issues, product liability and regulatory reporting. Hotline number: (888) 426-4435.
0.3.3.2 ASPCA Animal Behavior Center
The ASPCA Animal Behavior Center, recently relocated to Urbana from New York City, will provide a national behavior help service to the public to enable individual pet guardians to resolve their pets’ common behavior problems. To assist guardians with more severe behavior problems, the Animal Behavior Center is developing a professional referral network. At the same time, the Animal Behavior Center will collaborate with the University of Illinois to build a behavior curriculum for veterinary students.
0.3.3.3 ASPCA Knowledge Management Center
The ability to manage organizational knowledge is essential in today’s information-driven society. The principle resource that the ASPCA has to offer its members, policy makers, law enforcement and the general public is the breadth and depth of what the ASPCA staff cumulatively knows about companion animal health and well-being. The ASPCA Knowledge Management Center (KMC) facilitates the collection, storage and delivery of the ASPCA’s knowledge. The KMC works with other departments to build knowledge systems that will deliver that department’s knowledge via internal support systems or external self-help systems.
0.3.4 Government Affairs & Public Policy
Government Affairs & Public Policy works to secure the strongest possible protections for animals on a federal level through the passage of legislation, the bringing of successful impact litigation, and the adoption of public policies that promote the best interest of animals. The department is currently working on an initiative to increase protections for dogs at large-scale commercial breeding facilities, also known as “puppy mills.” E-mail: government@aspca.org
0.3.5 Counseling Services
ASPCA Counseling Services assists with the complex issues that confront grief-stricken pet owners: preparing for euthanasia, emotional support at the time of death, grieving the loss, caring for other pets in the household and advice on communicating with children about pet loss. The department also is a resource for social service agencies and humane organizations interested in establishing their own counseling services. 24-hour toll-free Pet Loss Hotline: (877) 474-3310 or (877) GRIEF-10.
0.3.6 National Program Catalog
The National Program Catalog offers an array of materials that promote humane attitudes and responsible pet care in children and adults. There are the ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award™ winners, pet care books, lesson plans and activities for the classroom, and videos that promote safe and enjoyable interactions with pets. Also available are how-to manuals, training videos and other products for professionals working in animal welfare, covering such topics as animal cruelty investigation, shelter management, humane education, shelter medicine, effective adoption programs and animal protection laws. www.aspca.org/catalog