Our History
The first Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was organized in England in 1824, primarily to prevent carriage horse abuse in the days before automobiles. Horses were driven through freezing cold winters and stiflingly hot summers, often with little food, water or rest. The carriage drivers were only interested in making as much money as they could, and would beat the horses if they refused to or were unable to pull the carriages.
The SPCA helped to pass laws regulating the carriage horse business, and the Society expanded to include dogs and other animals in its fight against cruelty. The first American SPCA was started in 1866 in New York. There are now SPCA's all over the US - and indeed, all over the world. Each is a separate entity, incorporated within its state, city, country or province, and decides its own policies and procedures.
The mission of SPCA International is to raise awareness of the abuse of animals to a global level, to teach and foster good pet parenting practices, and to promote spay and neuter programs around the world with the goal of eradicating the need to euthanize healthy and adoptable companion animals of all ages.
We accomplish this mission through both internal and outreach programs, and by supporting shelters already working to achieve these goals.
