 | |
ASPCA Chat Transcript
Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, ASPCA Executive Vice President and Science Advisor—September 12, 2008
“The more I read, the more I knew that this was a story that needed to be told and kept alive.” He’s our resident expert on all things ASPCA! That’s why we were thrilled to have ASPCA Executive Vice President and Science Advisor Dr. Stephen Zawistowski—we just call him Dr. Z!—on hand to discuss your questions—live!—about our organization’s history and the ongoing fight for the humane treatment of animals. Here’s what he had to say in closing:
Hi, everyone. Thanks for a great afternoon discussion. These were great questions and
I really enjoyed sharing my love of the ASPCA, our work and our history with all of you.
—Dr. Z
Please enjoy the transcript of this chat, which took place on the ASPCA Online Community.
Hi, Dr. Z. What makes the ASPCA different from other animal welfare organizations in the country? Thank you!
—Perdie
I think that everyone who works at the ASPCA is proud of the fact that while we were the first humane society in America, we were also the inspiration for the formation of the humane movement in America.
How are we different? One key element that we have pursued is the recruitment of highly competent experts in the animal care field. That has allowed us to be effective in addressing some key issues associated with animal welfare. We currently have over 65 veterinarians working for the ASPCA. Our team of veterinary toxicologists played a key role in helping to unravel what was happening during the pet food recall crisis a couple of years ago. Our expertise in animal shelter medicine is providing animal shelters around the country with the training and information that they need to provide the best possible care for their animals. During the Michael Vick case, our forensic veterinary skills helped to produce the evidence that led to a guilty plea. We have six PhD behaviorists at the ASPCA, and their expertise led to working with the Department of Justice and the USDA to evaluate and provide disposition recommendations for the dogs seized during the investigation.
This theme runs through our many departments where our shelter, legal and other team members have the competence and experience to be effective in their work.
Hi, Dr. Z! I was wondering if Henry Bergh, founder of the ASPCA, had any pets of his own. Was there a particular species of animal he had a soft spot for? Thanks.
—Pune
It was striking for me to discover that Henry Bergh was not an "animal lover" as we might generally think. He did not have pets. It is clear, however, that he had a special soft spot for horses. His inspiration to found the ASPCA was based on his observation of a Russian peasant beating a fallen cart horse in St. Petersburg, when he was serving as a diplomat. Much of his early work with the ASPCA was related to the protection of the many horses working in New York City. His dedication and effort on behalf of horses is memorialized in the ASPCA seal by illustrator and publisher Frank Leslie.
Is it an understatement to call Henry Bergh a hero? What are your personal feelings about him—since you know more about him than anyone!
—Elyse
I frequently tell folks that Henry Bergh is the most important American whom no one knows about. I knew nothing about Bergh when I came to the ASPCA. As I began to read about him, and discover his efforts on behalf of animals—and children—I was convinced that I would need to do all that I could to bring his story to a wider audience. He was so effective in his time, bringing attention to the plight of animals, and inventing and instituting the programs and activities that we continue to implement today.
Ever since I can remember, I have wanted to be a vet or an animal cop. What is it like to be in that line of duty? What do you have to do to become one?
—Karrah
I just passed my 20th anniversary of working at the ASPCA, and I can't imagine what else I might have been doing for the past two decades that would have been as rewarding. Nearly every day, you can go home knowing that you've done something to help animals. It is true that at times the work can seem overwhelming, and that you can never get enough done. What you need to do is celebrate the small victories and keep your eye on the mission.
Becoming a veterinarian requires four years of undergraduate school, and four years in veterinary school. Aptitude for science is needed. Humane Law Enforcement officers can come from various backgrounds. Many of our officers have previous law enforcement experience.
Can you tell us how the ASPCA handles horse abuse? Thank you.
—Rosalina
Our Humane Law Enforcement agents regularly investigate allegations of horse abuse in New York City. There have been numerous times when they have seized horses due to mistreatment. Henry Bergh introduced the first horse ambulance in the mid-1860s, and we still have a horse ambulance ready to help here in NY. We have recently added a veterinarian with experience in equine medicine to work in our Humane Law Enforcement department to provide additional expertise there.
On the national level, we work with many of our colleagues in the animal welfare world to support equine issues. Our legislative team is actively working to prohibit the sale of horses for slaughter. We also have an equine grants program that provides financial assistance to the many fine rescue groups that take in horses who have been seized in cruelty cases, or abandoned by owners.
Hi, Dr. Z. How has the ASPCA's mission changed since Henry Bergh's time?
—Marion
The French have a saying, "le plus ca change, le plus c'est le meme chose," which means, "the more things change, the more they stay the same." In many ways, we have made dramatic progress in our efforts to protect animals. At the same time, however, I am struck by how often a quote or comment from Henry Bergh would be just as relevant today as it was over 140 years ago. In the end, our mission has not changed; it remains "...to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals." What has changed are some of the tools that we use to do this. Bergh wrote countless letters to the many newspapers and journals of his day to reach people with his message. Now, I sit at my keyboard and reach many more people through chats like this. We even have TV shows like Animal Precinct that bring our work right into people's homes.
Thank you for everything you did for the victory dogs [dogs seized from Michael Vick] and are still doing.
—Susan
The Vick dogs were very clearly the victims of a crime. Regardless of breed or species, the ASPCA believes that these victims need to be treated as individuals, and given appropriate care and an opportunity to heal.
Your book, Heritage of Care, looks interesting. What sparked your interest in learning and researching the history of the ASPCA?
—Max
I always had an interest in history. When I graduated from high school, I won a medal in American History (not science!). My first office at the ASPCA was actually built in the basement of our old building on the corner of 92nd and York. What had been a library in the basement was divided in half, and one half was where I worked. When they put in the divider, they left some boxes and books on my side. I discovered old annual reports, scrapbooks and other archival materials. I was engrossed with the story of the organization, and over time began to accumulate historic materials from other parts of the organization. The more I read, the more I knew this was a story that needed to be told and kept alive.
Will there be any volunteer opportunities to help the animals left behind in Galveston and Houston areas? How would we get involved?
—Mary
Animal rescue efforts at this time are much better organized than they were during hurricanes Katrina and Rita. We did not see the same problems during the evacuation for Hannah recently. One result of this organization is that there are now specific training requirements that must be met before someone is admitted to a disaster area to help. You can go to the FEMA website and look under their training section for some of this information.
Has the ASPCA always operated both a shelter and a hospital in New York City?
—Marie-Adele
Our first hospital, a free dispensary for horses, was opened in 1912. Our first dedicated shelters for dogs and cats were opened in 1894. While we were founded in 1866, our early years were dedicated to law enforcement efforts.
What, if anything, is the ASPCA doing to stop pound seizure by class B dealers? I live in Michigan and for over 30 years, our commissioners have allowed the class B dealer to take any live animals in exchange for carcass hauling. Our county shelter also euthanizes with Co2. The commissioners, who are in charge of the animal shelter, have refused to bring our shelter up to 21st century standards. This is a rural community, with the highest unemployment in the state. While there are many people saying they want change, they seem to be afraid to stand up to the commissioners. We have formed a group called the Concerned Citizens Coalition and we have a website, www.cccmontcalm.org/, but it is almost impossible to get involved. HELP!
—Jeanne
The ASPCA has worked to ban pound seizure for over 50 years. Our policy and position statements clearly state that this practice is indefensible. I would suggest contacting our government relations department for some ideas on how to get a bill introduced in Michigan to ban the practice. [Visit our website’s Ask The Lobbyists section and submit your question at the bottom.]
Our Community Outreach staff, and Veterinary Outreach experts work with animal shelters to institute humane methods of euthanasia. Except for extreme circumstances, we believe that injection is the only humane choice for the euthanasia of companion animals.
Hello! What can you do when an animal is being abused, and you cannot have the owners know it was you who called, because your pet would potentially be in danger? Animal Control in my area is ineffective, and the local SPCA is unreliable as well.
—Anonymous
You can check elsewhere on our website for information on how to report animal cruelty. Keep in mind that you have a voice in how animal control and your local authorities function. In the same way that you and your neighbors might go to the city council to ensure that potholes in the streets are repaired, you can demand that your officials ensure that the laws meant to protect animals are enforced in a diligent and professional fashion.
Hi, Dr Z. Does the ASPCA do presentations in schools? Thanks.
—Jen
We do some presentations in New York City schools. In the long run, we find that we can be much more effective if we provide teachers with lesson plans that they can use themselves. While we might be there for one hour, teachers are there every day with their students. Check out AnimaLessons on our website. These lesson plans are written by our education experts and conform to the national standards for various subjects. They allow teachers to cover needed class material, and at the same time provide their students with a humane message.
Hi, Dr. Z. Can you speak about some of the early challenges ASPCA agents had to face in New York City when fighting animal cruelty? Thanks!
—Michele
The first challenge that ASPCA agents faced was convincing people that there was actually a law to prevent the mistreatment of animals, and that the ASPCA agents had the authority to enforce that law. Henry Bergh was known to carry a copy of the law in his pocket and show it to doubters. Sometimes, those doubters were the judges of cases were brought to court. It took many years of education to have some level of awareness raised among the public, and among public officials.
The early agents also confronted a variety of physical challenges. They found that people they tried to arrest or summons would try to beat them up. Henry Bergh was a large man for his time and was not above banging some heads together to get a point across. He carried a walking stick as many gentleman of his day did, and I imagine that he used it more than once to emphasize a point.
I hope to work for the ASPCA one day. I am currently in college to earn a Bachelor's of Science in agriculture with a minor in sociology (focusing on criminology). Do you think this is a proper education route? This is considered a pre-vet degree. If I am unable to go on to vet school, would the BS still get me in the door?
—Mary
The degree that you are pursuing would be helpful in a wide range of animal welfare work. It is the type of education that would be a great start for someone looking to work in shelter management or humane law enforcement.
*Order your copy of Dr. Z's book on the history of the ASPCA: Heritage of Care.
Donate Today
