There are a large number of worthwhile charities to which to donate money. There are none out there that as worthy of a small donation than the American Society to Prevent Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). We hear a lot in the news lately about animals who are neglected or abused -- animals that are abandoned, forced to fight each other, starved, or beaten.
Thus, to be humane means that it is our responsibility to help our relatives in the animal kingdom who are unable to speak for themselves -- namely cats and dogs. The ASPCA is an organization whose mission is to do exactly that -- protect animals from cruelty by having stricter laws in place that help realize this mission.
Founded in 1866 by Henry Bergh "on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans, and must be protected under the law" (aspca.org, 2014). The organization is listed as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that is privately-funded. The ASPCA "provides local and national leadership in three key areas: caring for pet parents and pets, providing positive outcomes for at-risk animals and serving victims of animal cruelty" (aspca.org, 2014). Estimates have shown that nearly 250,000 animals per year in the US are victims of animal hoarding (www.dosomething.org, n.d.). In its nearly-150-year history, the ASPCA has helped transform the way we think about and care for our animals.
For example, during the 1800s, the ASPCA was instrumental in improving the treatment and care of the city's working horses. The organization has helped turn the reality of the "dog pound" into professionally-operated adoption centers, as well as heighten the consciousness of humans who care for animals, or eat animals. For example, Bergh was one of the first persons to enlighten people about the terrible conditions in slaughterhouses. The ASPCA also promotes a nationwide "spay/neuter" program to prevent the birth of unwanted animals.
Because of the aforementioned reasons, this is why I have chosen the ASPCA as the organization to which I want to donate the class's 23 dollars. As Albert Einstein once said, "Our task must be to free ourselvesby widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty" (www.gentletouchpet.net, 2014). A donation to the ASPCA will help the ASPCA widen this circle of compassion. So, if you are a compassionate person, it is incumbent upon you to give to the ASPCA. I predict that doing so will be one of the most rewarding decisions you can make.
References
ASPCA. (2014). Retrieved from https://www.aspca.org/about-us/about-the-aspca/history-aspca
Einstein, A. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.gentletouchpet.net/quotes/
Eleven Facts About Animal Cruelty. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-animal-cruelty
