Tomorrow, October 4, is World Animal Day. Observed annually on the feast day of Francis of Assisi, celebrations marking the occasion vary, ranging from festivals to special animal blessings and honorary church services. Charitable events and fundraisers are also common.
As an animal lover, it warms my heart to see so many efforts and acknowledgments in place for helping our critter companions where it is needed most. Furthermore, official institutions and organizations dedicated to animal welfare have “officially” been in place worldwide for more than two centuries! And they’ve been prevalent in the United States for nearly as long, particularly within the Mid-Atlantic states. For this Flashback Friday feature, and in honor of World Animal Day, I’m featuring a list of the oldest existing animal welfare and charitable organizations throughout the Mid-Atlantic.
Review of the RSPCA
Before delving into the Mid-Atlantic region directly, it’s worth offering a brief background of the history of animal charitable foundations in general. The need to assist and support the well-being of creatures great and small dates back many years, if not centuries. As for official organizations aimed to provide help directly, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) receives the honor for being the world’s oldest establishment of its kind. Founded on June 16, 1824, in the United Kingdom, the driving initiative behind the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has always been to outlaw harsh, cruel, and inhumane treatment practices of animals. In its earliest years, this included bear and bull baiting. Campaigning for the banning of wild animals in circuses owing to the cruel, confining conditions such practices entail has also always been at the forefront of their ongoing mission.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals remains committed to caring for creatures great and small. They’ve even pushed for legislation when needed, resulting in successful responses such as the Animal Welfare Act of 2006. Most of their work today also centers on rescue and rehabilitation, as well as advocating for prosecutions of animal cruelty.
Things got started a little later in the United States, but not much later, with the launch of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in New York back in 1866. Operating as a nonprofit, its founding mission aligns with that of its European counterpart, “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.” Several branches of the SPCA can now be found throughout North America.
Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, PSPCA for short, is renowned for being the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive animal welfare organization in the entire state. It also happens to be the second-oldest in the nation. Established back in 1867 in Philadelphia, the goal behind its formation was originally to end the abuse subjected to working horses in the city. The initiative only expanded afterwards to encompass all animals and locales throughout the state. Despite its name, the PSPCA is neither affiliated with the ASPCA nor with any other SPCA organizations. They continue to operate as an independent entity. Learn more about them on the website.
Women’s Animal Center
Pennsylvania lays claim to having achieved yet another historic animal welfare milestone with the establishment of their Women’s Animal Shelter. Founded in 1869, Women’s Animal Shelter is notable as the first animal shelter in the United States. Based in Bucks County, they’ve been actively advocating for animal well-being throughout greater Philadelphia and beyond in countless ways for more than a century and a half. Read more about them here.
Maryland SPCA
Also started in 1869, the Maryland SPCA is another SPCA branch boasting antiquity as one of the oldest operations in the nation. Their mission is grounded on the basis that every animal deserves to be treated with compassion and care. Throughout their tenure, they’ve achieved remarkable feats in assisting this ongoing initiative. Some highlights include providing more than 1,800,000 meals to pets via community outreach and over 9,000 veterinary services to animals. Visit their website to discover more.
Humane Animal Partners
Formerly operating as two separate entities, the Delaware SPCA and Delaware Humane Association, Humane Animal Partners may be a new incarnation, but the aforementioned organizations both have antiquated origins. The Delaware SPCA dates back to 1873. It was founded by Ferris Bringhurst and other concerned citizens as a direct result of the mistreatment of livestock being led to market in the City of Wilmington. The Humane Animal Partners is a little younger, having been established in 1957 by a group of volunteers concerned with the welfare of dogs and cats in the community. The merger was a rightly implicated one, as together, partnering with one another, they continue to do great and notable work. Click on the link to find out more.
The Norfolk SPCA
Another in the lineup of longest-standing animal welfare organizations, the Norfolk SPCA was formed back in 1892, where they’ve been serving Hampton Roads with compassion and care ever since. They continue to expand operations throughout the greater Virginia region and beyond to this day, working solely as a nonprofit. Together with community support, they remain diligent in rescue work as well as rehabilitation and rehoming pets. They also operate a veterinary clinic. Read more about them here.
Humane World for Animals
Formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States, the Humane World for Animals operates out of its main quarters within the District of Columbia, where it was founded in 1954. Their work and charitable impacts span internationally, however, and the multitude of ways in which they serve go above and beyond on every level in advocating for creatures great and small, wild and domestic. They are among the most globally renowned nonprofit animal welfare organizations to date. Click here to learn more about them.
Virginia Federation of Humane Societies
Here’s another in the long line of the oldest, still-operating animal welfare organizations in the state of Virginia. Founded in 1959, the VFHS also ranks as the largest membership organization dedicated to animal welfare in the commonwealth, with 250 active members wearing many different hats and taking on numerous duties. Their provisions include, but are in no way limited to: providing municipal animal shelters, creating private shelters, incorporating animal control officers, enacting law enforcement when necessary, pursuing rescues, calling on animal welfare professionals to team up with compassionate individuals alike, assisting in volunteer efforts, and so much more. Visit the website to find out more.
These are just a few of the wonderful animal welfare organizations that exist throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. As we pay heed to the necessity of serving and protecting our animal companions nationwide and globally, I encourage all to consider supporting a cause close to your heart and making a heartfelt donation today. And remember to check out all the honorary animal/pet celebratory events that will be taking place locally all weekend long!