Animal Politics: Think Globally, Give Locally

Do you know where your donations are going?

Picture this scenario: Your boss praises your hard work, only to announce that your colleague will be receiving your bonus. You'd likely be taken aback, right? Yet, in my experience, it's not uncommon for people to express admiration for their local humane society or SPCA, only to mistakenly donate to national organizations like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) instead.

This highlights one of the greatest misconceptions and challenges faced by local animal welfare organizations: the widespread belief that HSUS and ASPCA are directly affiliated with them.

Do you know how much funding HSUS and the ASPCA give to your local humane society or SPCA? If you said 'nothing,' you're likely correct – a reality that holds true for virtually every local animal welfare organization in the United States.

Ironically, HSUS and the ASPCA raise enough money each year to completely fund an animal shelter in every state.  However, HSUS operates no animal shelters anywhere, and the ASPCA has just one shelter located in New York City – that actually handles fewer animals each year than most small local humane societies or SPCA’s across the nation.

The mission of the national organizations is to raise awareness of national animal welfare issues; the mission of local humane societies and spca’s is to actually care for the homeless, abused and neglected pets in their local communities.

Many mistakenly believe that their gifts to national groups will trickle down to help animals in their own community.  I only wish that were true.

People come to this assumption through misleading marketing tactics.  Let me give you an example.  I once received an ASPCA direct mail solicitation that was also sent to millions of homes across the nation.  The solicitation said, “Together we can stop cruelty to animals. … As you read this letter, somewhere – perhaps not far from you – someone is inflicting pain on an innocent and helpless animal. … You may not be able to rescue that particular animal. … Please send the largest gift you can manage to help the ASPCA save animals like it.”

Clearly, the ASPCA understands that sending “the largest gift you can manage” to their New York office is not the best way to help protect “an innocent and helpless animal,” a “particular animal,” an animal “not far” from where you live.

I have no objection to national animal welfare organizations asking for support for the important work they do.  However, I do object to misrepresenting their programs by implying they are helping animals in every community in the nation.  This is especially disturbing as you watch the daily barrage of heart-wrenching ads national organizations use to seek donations.

I believe the maxim “think globally; act locally.” However, I object to national organizations abusing this tenet by suggesting you are acting locally when you contribute to them. Don’t be fooled. When you contribute to these organizations, your money is leaving your community never to return.  If that is your intent, fine, but be sure you understand that.

Every local humane society/spca in every city, town and county, was founded to help homeless, abused and neglected animals in their own community.  Local humane societies are often governed by a local volunteer board of directors and are funded almost entirely by local support.

Contrary to common belief, most local humane societies and SPCA’s operate independently from national groups, receiving no financial support or oversight from them. These local nonprofit organizations shoulder the responsibility of caring for a substantial number of vulnerable animals in their communities, which are in urgent need of assistance. They need our help, they need your help.

Donors who wish to make an impact on the lives of animals in their communities should consider supporting their local shelters directly. These local entities are the backbone of the animal welfare movement, providing essential services to animals in need. By redirecting support to them, donors can ensure that their contributions have a tangible impact on animal welfare at the community level.

Ed Boks is a former Executive Director of the New York City, Los Angeles, and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control Departments. He is available for consultations. His work has been published in the LA Times, New York Times, Newsweek, Real Clear Policy, Sentient Media, and now on Animal Politics with Ed Boks.