ASPCA Acquires Humane Alliance

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) acquired Humane Alliance (HA) in August 2015. HA is an organization that specializes in high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter procedures. HA is primarily a spay/neuter training program that teaches hundreds of veterinarians each year.

HA opened in 1994 with four employees. By 2008 HA launched its training program and training began in 2009. Through 2014, 511 veterinarians and 459 externs from nine countries have received training through HA. HA’s training program has assisted 141 clinics in the United States and Canada with over 4.8 million surgeries performed. HA also has a clinic in the United States where they positively contribute to decreasing overpopulation. ASPCA’s Senior Vice President of Animal Health Services, Dr. Jed Rogers said, “As veterinarians specializing in high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter techniques, Humane Alliance’s expertise is unparalleled, and we know the unique skills of its staff will benefit the work we do around the country.”

The ASPCA has been providing financial support to HA since 2007. Former Executive Director of Humane Alliance, Quita Mazzina said, “The ASPCA is a long-standing partner and supporter of our spay/neuter programs, so this is a natural next step to further our reach and results.” Due to the acquisition of HA, the ASPCA will now be able to provide more training to veterinarians and veterinary students as well as increase the number of spay/neuter clinics in the United States. According to the ASPCA, “This will make it possible for veterinarians, shelters, and rescue operations to reach millions more at-risk animals with these critical services, dramatically reducing the number of homeless pets entering shelters nationwide.”

ASPCA’s President and CEO, Matt Bershadker said, “From our animal sheltering work to field rescues to legislative advocacy, spay/neuter is an essential component of the ASPCA’s animal welfare efforts. We have long admired and supported Humane Alliance’s innovations in spay/neuter practice and training, and are excited to combine forces to end animal homelessness and suffering around the country.”

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OSPCA demonstrates exceptional Community Compliance

Eric Coulson (Pets Plus Us) and Tonya Martin (OSPCA)

Nearly five years ago, the Ontario SPCA opened its first high volume spay/neuter clinic in Newmarket, Ontario. Later that year following unprecedented demand, it opened its second in Barrie. Right away, the clinics received hundreds of calls daily as the pet-owning public sought a low-cost, high quality option to sterilize their animals. 

When demand continued to rise, the OSPCA opened another clinic in Lincoln County in December 2012. As a group, the three clinics have sterilized more than 44,000 animals since 2009 and succeeded in reducing province-wide cat intake by 18%. 

For their successes, the Ontario SPCA was invited to speak during the 2013 Central Regional Conference's Regional Innovation Showcase. From there, delegates nominated the presentation to share at the 2013 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies. Additionally, the Ontario SPCA was awarded a 2013 Summit Award for Community Compliance which recognizes efforts to increase the overall level of compliance in a community from the development of best practices or codes of ethical conduct in the area of licensing, identification, spay/neuter, wellness, recreation, breeding or standards of care. 

"Pet overpopulation is a community problem. Each year, tens of thousands of dogs and cats end up on the streets, where they fall victim to neglect and abuse, or in shelters in search of new homes. Spaying and neutering can reduce shelter intake and euthanasia in your community," Alison Cross, Ontario SPCA 

Tonya Martin, senior manager of Animal Welfare and Operations at the OSPCA, was presented with the award during the 2013 Summit Award Tour by award sponsor Pets Plus Us. Clinic stakeholders are confident this measure can help reduce and possibly eliminate the cat overpopulation crisis affecting many Ontario communities.