The animal rights movement in the United States is nothing new. But the “Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals” was something of an anomaly when the New York State Legislature granted Henry Bergh a charter for it in 1866. In the more than 150 years since, the ASPCA has been advocate for the netherworld of animal welfare. The Texas branch of the SPCA was incorporated on September 22, 1938 and works in conjunction with state and local leaders to oversee the well-being various non-human creatures (not including, of course, politicians and child molesters).
Currently, the ASPCA is monitoring the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, which hit the East Coast last week. After the debacle involving Hurricane Katrina – and the literally millions of animals forcibly left stranded to be killed or die in agony – people demanded better protections for human and animal survivors of natural or even human-made disasters.
But, just as importantly, we now understand that animal abuse is tied to more severe problems in society. Some of the world’s worst serial killers, for example, had a history of animal cruelty. While most people who do something mean to an animal won’t turn into a Hannibal Lecter-type monster, we take it seriously now and often involve law enforcement.
I implore everyone to help in any way possible. Besides, animals actually appreciate when you help them out.
Chief Writing Wolf 