American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), organization founded in 1866 to prevent maltreatment of animals by enforcing laws designed to protect them, disseminating information, maintaining animal hospitals, and providing shelters and veterinary facilities. Its charter was granted by the New York State legislature and its operations are limited to that state. More than 600 organizations of a similar purpose exist in the United States.