Humane Society vs. ASPCA

[hbridge]

My animal loving DC did "school work" this summer for an end of summer donation to an "animal charity". There was a monetary amount tied to each week.

In any case, the decision has been made to donate the funds to the animals in Houston. So far we are looking at the ASPCA or the Humane Society. Would anyone recommend one over the other?

Thanks

[JBaxter]

Neither I'd give to a local no kill shelter. But that's just my opinion.

[mom2binsd]

I agree with Jeana, around here I find the no kill shelters are really appreciative and I feel better donating to them. I bet you can find one easily enough.

[trcy]

Neither I'd give to a local no kill shelter. But that's just my opinion.


I agree with Jeana, around here I find the no kill shelters are really appreciative and I feel better donating to them. I bet you can find one easily enough.

Honestly, I'm not a fan of no kill shelters. It's nice in theory, but the no kill shelters are just leaving the euthanasias to other shelters to deal with. Often they limit their intake numbers and refuse to take in animals when they are full. Also, many of them will not take animals that have issues that would make them hard to place (sick, old, aggressive, etc). The 'kill' shelters often get shafted both in adopters coming in and donations because everyone is more focused on the no kill shelters. FWIW, I worked in a county shelter. We couldn't turn any animal away, even when we were busting at the seams. It's heartbreaking, but it's not the shelters' fault animals need to be euthanized. It's irresponsible pet owners that don't spay and neuter and give up their pets instead of seeing them as a life long commitment. The 'kill' shelters are left to deal with the surplus of homeless pets and are seen as the bad guys. It's really unfair! Ok, off my soapbox. Both the SPCA and Humane Society do wonderful work and would appreciate your donation.


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[mom2binsd]

The no kill one's around here are really good, they take in the sick one's and do a great job with fostering and finding homes.I think it is very different depending on your area and that's why it's important to do your research.

[trcy]

The no kill one's around here are really good, they take in the sick one's and do a great job with fostering and finding homes.I think it is very different depending on your area and that's why it's important to do your research.

I am sure they are great, many are! But, when they (and their foster homes) get full, what do they do? I am guessing they turn away surrenders. Then those animals go to 'kill' (I hate that term, BTW) shelters that can't turn anyone away.


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[lalasmama]

I'd do the Humane Society... But it's only because I hate those SPCA commercials with the sad animals and the guilt about not treating like they are humans. And, because if I'm donating to a cause, I'd prefer they don't spend much of my donation on advertising.

ASPCA Charity Information: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=13139

Houston Humane Society Charity Information: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=5661

[Kindra178]

Honestly, I'm not a fan of no kill shelters. It's nice in theory, but the no kill shelters are just leaving the euthanasias to other shelters to deal with. Often they limit their intake numbers and refuse to take in animals when they are full. Also, many of them will not take animals that have issues that would make them hard to place (sick, old, aggressive, etc). The 'kill' shelters often get shafted both in adopters coming in and donations because everyone is more focused on the no kill shelters. FWIW, I worked in a county shelter. We couldn't turn any animal away, even when we were busting at the seams. It's heartbreaking, but it's not the shelters' fault animals need to be euthanized. It's irresponsible pet owners that don't spay and neuter and give up their pets instead of seeing them as a life long commitment. The 'kill' shelters are left to deal with the surplus of homeless pets and are seen as the bad guys. It's really unfair! Ok, off my soapbox. Both the SPCA and Humane Society do wonderful work and would appreciate your donation.


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Yup. I was coming here to post this. Shelters have to kill. There are too many dogs, especially in the south and middle Midwest. Sick dogs, injured dogs, bad temperament dogs.


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[hbridge]

We live in an area without a lot of kill shelters. Also, I really don't want to point out the difference between kill and non-kill shelters to DC. We already had an issue with DC telling people in Petco that they abuse animals and not to shop there... There would be picketing!!!

lalasmama, I agree about the ASPCA commercials... We will look into Houston Humane Society later today... DC worked hard for this money over the summer, we are very proud...

[jgenie]

I have a friend that volunteers with Austin Pets Alive. They are taking in animals displaced by Harvey.

https://www.austinpetsalive.org

[AnnieW625]

The SPCA and Humane Societies in my area are no kill shelters. I thought that was what made the Humane Society and SPCA different was that their mission is to avoid euthanasia for animals. My sister just got a cat from the SPCA in her city and the cat had been there for 4 months. There were large dogs at our local SPCA that were too big for our yard that had been there for 6 months plus and we were sad as we liked the dogs but knew we didn't have enough space.

We have gotten both of our dogs at the local county animal shelter, which is a kill shelter and both DH and I feel strongly about adopting from there because if we can save a pet that is one less healthy cat or dog that could lose it's life. A lot of the healthy dogs from the shelters especially the poodles, poodle mixes or Labradors end up at rescues (our Lab was actually scheduled to go to a rescue and DH said we were adopting her (after our short meet n greet with her we knew she was a good dog for us) to avoid the rescue getting her as DH had just interviewed with a rescue a week or so before and were denied a dog because the rescue didn't like that the dog wouldn't have access to the house when we were gone....we have a fully enclosed yard).


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[mom2khj]

Not a shelter, but this is a local no-profit vaccination/spay/neuter clinic that was directly impacted. Their clinic and sanctuary flooded.

https://www.facebook.com/TexasLitterControl/?fref=mentions

Another good organization is Operation Pets Alive. They have several no-kill programs (adoptions, transport to areas, fostering/adoptions, etc) to help the animals in our area.

https://www.facebook.com/OPATexas/