The next time you happen to view a heartrending ASPCA commercial while watching TV, and then, through teary eyes, dash for the credit card, please stop. First, read about Benny’s rescue and his abandonment by the ASPCA. The ASPCA myth needs to be exposed. Benny’s rescue and then betrayal by the ASPCA was not an exception, as this routinely happens to other animals in their care.
“After rescuing me from death row, the ASPCA sent me back to NYC Animal Care & Control (a kill shelter) when they found out I had a disease. How is their abandonment of me not cruel?”~Benny
Benny was abandoned by his owner at NYC ACC, simply one of many cats surrendered in 2011 (intake report for cats at ACC in 2011 was 19,898 cats). While at ACC, Benny quickly gained popularity due to his amiable personality, and he became a staff favorite. Even though Benny was considered highly adoptable, he could not escape death row. In less than 10 days at the shelter, he developed an upper respiratory infection, and was promptly slated to be killed. Though many cats died that day, thankfully, it was confirmed Benny was pulled off the euthanasia list. Many were relieved he was saved. It was confirmed that the ASPCA had rescued Benny from death row, but personally, I had mixed emotions. I knew there was a good probability they would find him a home and more importantly he was alive, but I didn’t wholly trust their commitment to Benny’s wellbeing. I had witnessed numerous times when a cat or dog was left in their charge, only then to be sent to ACC, where their chances of making it out alive would be poor. And, Benny was alive when so many at cats at ACC were being killed.
Benny was rescued and safe, or so it was believed…
Benny, returned from ASPCA.
In reality, Benny went from the fire to the frying pan, and any rejoicing in his rescue and hopes for a new life were fleeting. Benny was sent back into the fire, his life once again at risk. The ASPCA had sent Benny back to the NYC ACC after he tested FeLV positive. How could the ASPCA, an organization with a surplus of millions, and one with so many resources at their disposal turn their back on Benny, a cat they pledged to care for? The ASPCA has convinced America that they are the compassionate, devoted group of people who save and care for forgotten, abandoned, and abused animals in our country. That is largely due to the ASPCA myth, one they continually perpetuate, which casts a very large shadow on shelter reform in our country. And, it is a myth that needs to be shattered.
Gloria was surrendered to MACC on 12/29/2011. She is still there.
Forbes Magazine just published “15 Key Insights From 2011 From 15 Key Thinkers And Writers.” Here’s insight number 8: “Most people assume that the ASPCA, one of the largest and most well-funded animal-rights groups in the world, who profess to prevent cruelty to animals, would be all for advocating that homeless cats and dogs not be killed at animal shelters. Not so. A big eye opener: The ASPCA has actively fought to prevent cities from establishing no-kill shelters and aggressively fights bills proposed in local city councils that aim to reduce the number of innocent animals being killed. Another shocker? PETA, does too. The true protectors of animals are not the bureaucracy-rich animal rights organizations, but smaller groups and individuals. Nathan Winograd, author of Redemption, and Stanford-law-educated ex-criminal prosecutor and corporate attorney, is the founder of a growing no-kill-shelter movement—and gets my vote for most important intellectual this year. His no-kill actions challenge the status quo by thinking beyond the box. He’s developed a creative and realistic plan that many cities are successfully using to save most of their homeless animals. New York City’s ACC, who murders hundreds of cats and dogs each week needs to reform and implement his ideas.”
Continue to read allegations critical of the ASPCA on the following links:
ASPCA commits fraud in fundraising by pretending it is your local SPCA: www.nathanwinograd.com/?p=6325
The ASPCA is educating kill shelters on how to stop No Kill reforms: http://cruelcrazybeautifulworld.com/2011/11/09/the-aspca-and-the-case-of-the-extremely-elusive-documents/
The ASPCA “rescues” animals by sending them to kill shelters: http://johnsibley.com/2011/11/15/aspca-saves-dogs-by-transporting-them-to-kill-shelters/
The Truth About the ASPCA: www.nathanwinograd.com/?cat=8
“The ASPCA has a long sordid history of not only fighting reform efforts nationwide, but of neglecting the needs of the animals suffering in the city shelter down the street, even sending animals to be killed there.”
So, in the end, who actually rescued Benny?
Once back at ACC, pleas went out from the New Hope program to its approved rescues. It was shortly afterwards that the good news spread. Empty Cages Collective (ECC) came to Benny’s rescue. Empty Cages Collective (ECC) is a very small New York-based animal and environmental advocacy organization with extremely limited funding. ECC had recently rescued many cats needing considerable medical care off of death row, and knew they would not be able to provide for Benny alone. They asked the rescue community for support and donations towards Benny’s medical care and housing, and the response was swift. ECC rescued Benny and will give him a home with other FeLV+ cats and the medical he will need throughout his life. Benny found his place in the world because ECC, a humble rescue organization and a small group of individuals believed his life mattered. The ASPCA whose mission is to “provide adoption and medical services to the public as well as uphold our commitment to end animal cruelty” did not live up to their philosophy.
~Bernadette Lourdes
Pets On Death Row