My wife was thinking of making a donation to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals . . . anyone know much about this organization in terms of whether it is worthwhile?
RE: ASPCA
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It has a fair rating, not spectacular. There are a couple others that outperform it. This info may be helpful.
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3286
I was surprised to see how well PetSmart Charities compared:
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4318
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3286
I was surprised to see how well PetSmart Charities compared:
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4318
I belong to PETA - People who Eat Tasty Animals.
Joking aside - cruel people suck. Good for your wife for wanting to make a difference.
Joking aside - cruel people suck. Good for your wife for wanting to make a difference.
Good suggestion. We have two local organizations that go way above the call of duty and have very low admin costs. It's worth check around Bangor to see what local pet shelters there are. Here's a starter: (broken link removed to http://www.bangorhumane.org/help.php)
They will just use it to pay the nine million dollar settlement to Ringling Brothers who won the lawsuit that the ASPCA brought against them claiming that they mistreat elephants.
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/aspca-pay-9-3m-circus-elephant-lawsuit-article-1.1229299
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/aspca-pay-9-3m-circus-elephant-lawsuit-article-1.1229299
They paid someone a boatload of money to claim that there was elephant mistreatment. My understanding is that there's plenty of cruelty in the circus bizz, but the suit was ill prosecuted and they pulled that stunt. The initial claim had to do with the endangered species act, and that was not proven.
Help yours local animal rescue or shelters. They generally operate hand-to-mouth as funding is most times menial or non-existent. We can't save them all, and usually the ADMINISTRATION of national organizations generally take a BIG bite out of donations before the $$$$ ever get to the level that needs them the most.
I have difficulty giving money away, so we bring cat food, treats, toys and litter to our local shelter for the Xmas times. We visit about once a month to "hang" with the kitties at the shelter.
Yes, I would strongly recommend donating to your local shelter. There are lots of ways of doing this. You can give cash, donate food or grooming tools, old towels are always welcome.
You could also ask to be informed if a dog is placed in the shelter that need medical care. Often, simple care is not given because of lack of funds, where the care would give the dog the possibility of placement and a long, healthy life.
An example: my Mom adopted a Ridgeback in Maui, the day before it was going to be put down. It had two broken front legs, and had been unable to compete with the other dogs for food, was extremely thin, and one paw was facing in reverse. The shelter had had the dog x-rayed at a hot-shot vets, but the darn vet hadn't even bothered to splint the legs. Several people after, on hearing of this, said they would have paid for teatment for the dog, and have since been available from time to time for such donation.
On a kind note, my Mom's vet, who had never done such surgery before, operated on the bad paw about six years ago, and charged very little. The dog has issues with arthritis, but has had a happy and active life on the farm. The vet continues to address issues re the paw, at no charge.
Anyway: a donation to a good shelter, whether in time, goods, funds or services, goes a long way.
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You could also ask to be informed if a dog is placed in the shelter that need medical care. Often, simple care is not given because of lack of funds, where the care would give the dog the possibility of placement and a long, healthy life.
An example: my Mom adopted a Ridgeback in Maui, the day before it was going to be put down. It had two broken front legs, and had been unable to compete with the other dogs for food, was extremely thin, and one paw was facing in reverse. The shelter had had the dog x-rayed at a hot-shot vets, but the darn vet hadn't even bothered to splint the legs. Several people after, on hearing of this, said they would have paid for teatment for the dog, and have since been available from time to time for such donation.
On a kind note, my Mom's vet, who had never done such surgery before, operated on the bad paw about six years ago, and charged very little. The dog has issues with arthritis, but has had a happy and active life on the farm. The vet continues to address issues re the paw, at no charge.
Anyway: a donation to a good shelter, whether in time, goods, funds or services, goes a long way.
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Hearth Mistress
Minister of Fire
Both of my dogs now and the one we lost over the summer after 12 years were all rescues. However, I agree whole heartedly to contact you local shelter if you want to make a difference. I volunteer at the Bucks County SPCA and they are always looking for cat food, litter, old blankets, etc and keep a list on their website of what is urgently needed. They also like to get gift cards for Pet Smart and Target as they buy crates, cat trees, etc there.
It is a wonderful gesture to make a donation with items, money or your time but it's best to know your donation is going to be put to good use locally, not to buy more commercials to slit your wrists to
It is a wonderful gesture to make a donation with items, money or your time but it's best to know your donation is going to be put to good use locally, not to buy more commercials to slit your wrists to
Just remember, if you give money to a large charitable organization, there is a very good chance they will spend it all and more sending you an unending stream of junk mail soliciting even more money from you. Been there, done that, still getting the junk mail.
We now never give money directly to any charity, unless we can do so anonymously, such as dropping some bills in a Salvation Army kettle. It's a shame, but the professional solicitors that many of the charities employ are ruinous to charitable causes in general.
We now never give money directly to any charity, unless we can do so anonymously, such as dropping some bills in a Salvation Army kettle. It's a shame, but the professional solicitors that many of the charities employ are ruinous to charitable causes in general.
There are good ones out there that don't bug you. We donate generously locally. Some send out an annual reminder, but that is the extent of their solicitation. I get pissed at the large ones you send a donation to and then they turn it into a fake membership and then ask for more money. I like Mercy Corp & Doctors Without Borders. Those folks are always at the front line and only ask once a year. My favorite is Slade Child. They never ask for anything. 100% of your donation goes to kids around the world. The admin fees are paid for by a trust fund.
I like the idea of finding a local organization. My kiddo and I often visit a local rescue with a bag of butcher bones. We enjoy it least as much as the dogs do!
Another vote for going to your local animal shelter / rescue group. You know the money will be spent wisely.
I do not donate to any large charities, i prefer to stick to small local grass roots efforts. I know that my donation will help my LOCAL community.
I do not donate to any large charities, i prefer to stick to small local grass roots efforts. I know that my donation will help my LOCAL community.
More complete story here:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/as...nd-barnum-bailey-circus-settlement-2012-12-28
They have a lot of co-conspirators as well:
"...the remaining defendants, Humane Society of the United States, the Fund for Animals, Animal Welfare Institute, Animal Protection Institute United with Born Free USA."
ETA: On closer reading........looks like they tacitly admitted to racketeering. The suit was filed under RICO:
"Based upon what was revealed in ASPCA, et al., v. Feld Entertainment, Feld Entertainment brought suit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against ASPCA, HSUS and other animal rights activists and their lawyers alleging violations of the RICO statute and Virginia Conspiracy Act, malicious prosecution, and abuse of process."
Thanks everyone.
P.S. My wife has donated to the local shelter as well . . . only for us the local shelter is actually in Waterville.
P.S. My wife has donated to the local shelter as well . . . only for us the local shelter is actually in Waterville.
Already been done . . . about a half hour to 45 minutes away from me.
http://hopeelephants.org/about
Hearth Mistress
Minister of Fire
Doctors Without Borders is a great "big" charity. I work for the leading mail services company in the US (not usps) and they send medical supplies and equipment all over the world for the charity. I've heard amazing things about their operation. I'm just a soft heart for animals so that is where whatever I have to give goes
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