spcaLA not affiliated with ASPCA
Los Angeles, CA — This morning, a story about the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (ASPCA) aired on CBS This Morning outlining the truth of the organization’s fundraising and spending practices. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) is not surprised to hear that money donated to the ASPCA is NOT distributed to local charities, though many donors likely will be. To prevent confusion, always donate locally.
Donate locally!
spcaLA is an independently chartered organization and is not affiliated with ASPCA. There is no national SPCA or Humane Society. No national organization distributes funds to local SPCAs. Furthermore, there are no chapters or branches. All SPCAs are independent organizations that fundraise and govern separately.
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is a common name for non-profit animal welfare organizations around the world. The oldest SPCA – the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), was founded in England in 1824. ASPCA was the first SPCA in the United and was founded in New York City in 1866. Subsequent SPCAs took the name of the city or state in which they were established, like spcaLA.
“Fundraising is one of the biggest challenges for any non-profit organization. Due to national advertising, many donors are misled to believe they are donating to a local charity or an organization that is distributing funds. That is not the case,” said spcaLA President, Madeline Bernstein. “Please, before you donate, ensure that the money is truly going where you intend.”
spcaLA was founded in 1877 to enforce animal cruelty laws. In 1914, spcaLA created and built Los Angeles’ first animal shelter, the San Pedro Street Station in Downtown L.A. Since then, spcaLA has provided programs and services that benefit and improve the lives of the animals and people of Los Angeles and beyond.
In 2020, 78% of donations to spcaLA supported programs and services, including animal cruelty investigations, violence prevention, and animal sheltering; 11% went to management and 11% to fundraising.
Financial support for the organization’s humane programs is provided solely by donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. It is not provided by any other SPCA. To donate, please visit spcaLA.com/donate or call 323-334-4485.