ASPCA Announces the Publication of "Heritage of Care": 141 Years of Achievements... And Counting!

NEW YORK, December 20, 2007—Since 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) has been called upon to provide the effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Between 1894 and 1994, the organization handled animal control for New York City, forever changing the image of “dog pounds” to “animal shelters.” As the 20th century progressed, it broadened its focus to a national audience and now has the greatest depth and breadth of any animal welfare organization in the country—from animal behavior to anti-cruelty (most recently having worked closely with Federal authorities in 2007 to assist in the Michael Vick investigation).

The ASPCA’s history, as chronicled in the soon to be published HERITAGE OF CARE, (Praeger; December 30, 2007;184 pages; $39.95), is one that is steeped in founder, Henry Bergh’s, abhorrence of injustice as well as the commitment of the men and women who have been drawn to it over many decades.

Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, executive vice president of national programs and science advisor to the ASPCA, along with Marion S. Lane, special projects editor in the national program office of the ASPCA, are the authors of Heritage of Care which features rare stories from the ASPCA archives, available nowhere else, as well as extraordinary photographs tracing the history of the organization that gave birth to the humane movement in the Americas, and is still vibrant today.

“Animal protection is an integral component of American cultural history,” said ASPCA President & CEO, Ed Sayres, “yet no book has been written since the mid-1950s that reflects current activities and practices in the field.” Heritage of Care offers a rare, insider’s look at this world through the eyes of one its most important players—our own Dr. Stephen Zawistowski.”

“The ASPCA’s efforts to protect animals are not a recent occurrence,” said Dr. Zawistowski. “For more than 141 years, the name has been synonymous with the humane treatment of animals and the organization itself has had a pervasive influence on history and development in the field of animal welfare. I am proud to have been able to chronicle the history of the ASPCA, along with my co-author Marion Lane, and am excited to bring our story to a whole new generation of Americans.”

For more information on the ASPCA, or to buy the book online, visit www.aspca.org.