A Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a common name for non-profit animal welfare organizations around the world. The oldest SPCA organization is the RSPCA, which was founded in England in 1824. SPCA organizations operate independently of each other and campaign for animal welfare, assist in the prevention of cruelty to animals cases, rehabilitation and finding homes for maltreated and unwanted animals that can be reestablished into new homes. Policies regarding animal euthanasia, handling feral cats, and similar issues vary by organization.
All SPCAs around the world are independent of one another and are not affiliated in any way. Every SPCA has their own governing policies, financial reports, board of directors, and organizational goals.
SPCA International
In 2010, SPCA International was founded in the United States to implement outreach programs, emergency financial aid for organizations, and recognition grants on an international level. It is responsible for Operation Baghdad Pups, which safely transports pets adopted by US troops while stationed overseas. Online, it runs public discussion forums, plus helps individuals find information, advocate against abuse, and connects them with nearby shelters. In line with its name, it also offers assistance opening animal cruelty investigations and offers a "Cruelty Crime Stopper" reward for tips that help lead to convictions.
Financial management
Charity Watch gave SPCA International an "F" grade for money mismanagement.
In 2012, a CNN investigation found that SPCA International had raised almost $27 million but spent nearly all of that money on fundraising expenses paid to a direct mail company. Of the $14 million that SPCA International raised in 2010, the organization spent only $60,000 in cash grants to animal shelters across the United States. CNN also accused SPCA International of misrepresenting a program called "Baghdad Pups" on its tax filings and hiring an officer for that program with a questionable background.
SPCAs founded in countries around the world are not tied to SPCA International (US Charity) in any way.
SPCA organizations by continent
Africa
- South Africa
- National Council of SPCAs
- Cape of Good Hope Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Animal Anti-Cruelty League
- Zimbabwe Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals
- Tierschutzverein (SPCA) Swakopmund, Namibia
Asia
- Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Noida, India)
- Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Lucknow,India)
- Philippine Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Singapore Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong)
- Taiwan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals www.spca.org.tw
- Iran Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tehran, Iran) www.iranspca.com
- Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Selangor, Malaysia
- Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
- Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia
- Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia
- Thai Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Visakha Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Visakhapatnam, India)
- Thane S.P.C.A (Thane, India)
- Madras society for prevention of cruelty to animals (Chennai, India)
- Calcutta Society for The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Kolkata, India)
- State society for the prevention of cruelty to animals Odisha (Cuttack, India)
- Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals (Punjab, India)
- Bombay society for prevention of cruelty to animals (Bombay, India)
- Society for prevention of cruelty to animals (Lahore, Pakistan)
- Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Kollam, India)
Israel
- The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Tel Aviv-Jaffa
- The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Jerusalem
- The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Ramat-Gan
- The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Haifa
- The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Rehovot
- The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Beer Sheva
Europe
- SPCA ITALIA Protezione Animali (Italy)
- Société Protectrice des Animaux (SPA) in [France]
- SPCA Norge in Norway
- Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Poland
- Straż dla Zwierząt in Poland
- Romanian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (R.S.P.C.A) â€" Romania
- Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (I.S.P.C.A.) - Ireland
- MSPCA in Malta
- Gozo SPCA in Gozo
United Kingdom
- Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals â€" England and Wales
- Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals â€" Scotland
- Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals â€" Northern Ireland
- Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
North America
Canada
- Canadian Federation of Humane Societies
- Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
United States
In the United States, all organizations using the name SPCA are independent; there is no umbrella organization. Some of the more notable organizations include:
- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals â€" one of the original featured SPCA's on the Animal Planet Network show Animal Cops: Houston
- New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles â€" spcaLA â€" Since 1877
- Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Monterey County, California
- San Francisco SPCA
The Caribbean
- Vincentian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - The VSPCA is independent and not associated with SPCA International.
- Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (J.S.P.C.A.)
Oceania
- Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Australia
- Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Papua New Guinea