Better Business Bureau

Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Address:	424 East 92nd Street
	New York, NY 10128
Phone:	212-876-7700
Web Address:	www.aspca.org
Also known as: ASPCA

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) meets the 20Standards for Charity Accountability.

ASPCA conducts training sessions and workshops for animal welfare professionals on different topics. Grants are also offered to local animal shelters and rescue groups for purposes such as repairs to facilities, purchasing of surgical equipment, training of personnel, and emergency care. Staff at ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital provide preventative, diagnostic, and care services for dogs, cats, and other animal species. Its mobile clinics vaccinate and perform spay/neuter surgeries on pets in communities around New York City. ASPCA's public information department responds to calls, e-mails, and letters inquiring about traveling with pets, insurance, breed rescue groups, referrals for animal sanctuaries and other questions. Through its adoption program, the charity places formerly abandoned and stray dogs and cats in homes. ASPCA's Animal Behavior Center offers continuing education programs for trainers, veterinarians, and other professionals. Its Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) specializes in identifying, diagnosing, and prescribing treatment in situations where exposure to toxic chemicals, dangerous plants, harmful substances, or unsafe products or materials may have occurred. In 2008, the organization’s humane law enforcement team reports to have launched about 5,227 investigations and made 78 arrests relating to animal cruelty. In addition, its government relations team has helped some states pass new animal fighting laws or upgrade old laws. Some ($13,325,460 or 18%) of ASPCA's program activities are carried out in conjunction with fund raising appeals.

For the year ended December 31, 2008, ASPCA's program expenses were:

Communications	23,194,645
Animal health services	23,031,296
Community outreach	13,577,169
Anti-cruelty programs	8,055,089
Grants and sponsorships	6,550,001
Total Program Expenses:	$74,408,200

Chief Executive : Edwin J. Sayres, President

Compensation*:

$490,315

Chair of the Board: Marsha R. Perelman
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Woodforde Management, Inc.

Board Size: 20

Paid Staff Size: 525

*2007 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, telemarketing, special events, print advertisements, television, radio, grant proposals, Internet appeals, planned giving, cause-related marketing, and membership appeals.

Fund raising costs were 17% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $118,572,609, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

ASPCA incurred joint costs of $28,112,847 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs, $14,761,681 was allocated to fund raising expenses, $13,325,460 was allocated to program expenses, and $25,706 was allocated to administrative expenses.

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on ASPCA's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Source of Funds
Contributions, grants and memberships	71,610,320
Bequests and trust income	38,891,108
Animal health services fees	11,897,449
Royalties and licenses	2,115,505
Federal campaigns	1,791,339
Donated media resources	1,770,471
Other activities	1,677,331
Special events	716,535
Investment losses	-25,227,115
Total Income	$105,242,943

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 77%  Fund Raising: 21%  Administrative: 2%

Total income				$105,242,943
	Program expenses			$74,408,200
	Fund raising expenses			19,931,847
	Administrative expenses			1,690,351
Total expenses				$96,030,398
Income in Excess of Expenses				9,212,545
Beginning net assets				118,465,650
Other Changes in Net Assets				(8,470,994)
Ending net assets				119,207,201
Total liabilities				18,586,975
Total assets				$137,794,176

Note 1:
In the above financial summary, "other changes in net assets" ($-8,470,994) represents pension liability actuarial adjustments ($-4,378,726) and unrealized losses on beneficial interests in perpetual trusts ($-4,092,268).

Note 2:
According to ASPCA'S 2008 audited financial statements, the organization received $1,795,471 in in-kind donations including media resources ($1,770,471) and pet food ($25,000).