A Pet's Story

Keeping Animals Safe A Pet's Story

The phrase "it's a dog's life" no longer has the same meaning it once had. Animals of all kinds are now protected by state and federal legislation, and they have specific rights that serve to safeguard and keep them healthy. Furthermore, many individuals are closer to their pets than in the past, with a substantial percentage indicating that their animals are family members. In reality, a pet's day may include visiting a spa or salon, being carried in a fancy purse, or wearing a jewel-encrusted collar—quite a different scenario from 100 years ago.

Does this seem far-fetched?

Dog owners reported spending more than $263 on their four-legged buddies in the previous year (excluding food costs). Owners with cats paid more than $100. Animal welfare groups such as the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) have tried to influence how humans think about and treat animals, which is one cause for their improved quality of life. The group, which is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year, is the Western Hemisphere's oldest animal protection organization. The organization will commemorate its centennial with a yearlong celebration commemorating the accomplishments it has accomplished for animals since it was established in 1866 by a New York City aristocrat.

To commemorate this landmark anniversary, the organization is undertaking its most aggressive program to date, working city by city to transform the United States into one "Humane Community." The program's goal is to bring together community groups to help guarantee that no adoptable companion animal is killed for reasons other than behavior or medical difficulties.

The new effort aims to increase the demand for adoptive shelter animals while decreasing the number of unwanted litters born. In addition, the association's "Meet-Your-Match" program is being overhauled to better match prospective pet owners with shelter dogs and cats. The organization also intends to expand its Humane Law Enforcement Department, enabling more animal cruelty investigations and arrests.

"We sincerely hope that the further we get from our date of inception, the closer we will be to achieving our 140th year of unprecedented growth." We come to be an organization that is no longer needed—that our work will have permeated society to the point that the rights of companion animals will be second nature. President and CEO of the American SPCA, Ed Sayres, remarked, "To everyone."

In the United States, there are around 140 million pet cats and dogs.