Animal Cruelty

For a senior Shepherd named Clover, life in the home of an animal abuser took a physical and emotional toll. After being rescued by the NYPD, he spent more than six months recovering at the ASPCA before finding the perfect adopter—and now this special dog is finally learning what it means to be loved. It took a lifetime of waiting, but here is Clover’s Happy Tail.

The holidays are upon us, but did you know the holiday season can be a dangerous time for your pets? Common hazardous household items include macadamia nuts, alcohol and yeast dough—the culprits may be surprising!

Earlier this week, the ASPCA visited USDA’s U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Nebraska—the subject of a stunning front page exposé in the New York Times that revealed a culture of cruelty and indifference toward animal suffering. Animal protection organizations met with USDA staff at USMARC for a frank conversation about the imperative to direct agriculture and agricultural research toward reducing animal pain and suffering, not just increasing profits for meat producers.

What do a courageous guide dog, a 12-year-old girl dedicated to improving her local animal shelter and a population of tiny, neonate kittens have in common? They’re among this year’s ASPCA Humane Awards winners honored today at the ASPCA’s annual Humane Awards Luncheon in New York City. As one of the most exciting events of the year, the Luncheon serves to recognize the human and animal heroes who have demonstrated extraordinary efforts and great commitment to animal welfare this year.

While finding a home for animals is one of our top priorities, finding the right home for an animal is also of the utmost importance. So when Cate the cat’s adopter returned her after nearly a year together, it was clear that the finicky feline hadn’t found her perfect fit. Fortunately, a second adoption was all it took to find this pretty kitty the lifelong home of her dreams. Here is Cate’s Happy Tail.

One of the “occupational hazards” of working at the ASPCA is that it’s difficult not to fall for each and every pet we meet. From kittens to canines, these animals consistently move and inspire us with their strength, resilience and loving spirits—but sometimes, we connect with one so completely that they become part of our lives forever. Such was the case with ASPCA Vet Tech Jennifer Doyle and her newly-adopted Chihuahua Mix, K.C. Here is their Happy Tail.