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  • Essay / An Overview of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

    Table of ContentsGeneral DescriptionOrganizational Structure/Management/DesignOrganizational Environment/BackgroundOrganizational Culture/Power/ConflictAssessing the Future of the OrganizationThe American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Animals (ASPCA) is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation specializing in the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA works to ensure that all animals have safe and healthy lives, free from abuse and neglect. The ASPCA was the first humane society established in North America and is currently one of the largest organizations of its type in the world. This organization not only protects animals through direct care and rescue, but also works to ensure animal protection under the law (ASPCA, 2016). This organization is incredibly broad in scope and has programs and branches across the country. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay General Description The mission of the ASPCA is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.” This organization was founded on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment from humans, not only by those with compassionate hearts, but also under the law (ASPCA, 2016). The ASPCA is concerned with the welfare of animals, including: companion animals, food animals and livestock, animals used in research and education, animals used in entertainment, sports or work and wildlife (ASPCA, 2016). There are also three key areas of focus for this organization including animal health services, anti-cruelty initiatives and community outreach. As of December 2015, the ASPCA has rescued more than 12,000 animals across the country (ASPCA, 2016). The ASPCA serves communities throughout the country, having branches in many cities, including one here in New Orleans (LASPCA). The organization's president and CEO is Matthew Bershadker. There is a very clearly defined hierarchy in the organization including traditional roles such as vice president, treasurer, etc. as well as numerous department heads and a board of directors. Due to the size and scope of this organization and its multiple locations, a number of individuals work under the direction of their headquarters, located in New York. The organization has thousands of members across the country. In this organization, the minimum requirement for membership is an annual donation. There are three levels of membership per donation, depending on the amount committed; the highest is Founder's Society membership, followed by monthly membership, and finally regular membership (ASPCA, 2016). The ASPCA was founded by Henry Bergh and incorporated in 1866 by a special act of the New York State Legislature (ASPCA, 2016). . It was originally founded to protect New York City's draft horses and has grown enormously since then. The organization still maintains a strong presence in New York, its original headquarters and current headquarters location. Although the organization is still guided by the same basic principles of animal cruelty prevention, many other factors relating to animal welfare as a whole are now recognized. Today, there is much more emphasis on advocacy and education to achieve their goals. This organization alsosignificantly developed as a legal power, having played a role in the development and passage of several animal welfare laws and continued battles for their cause in courtrooms (ASPCA, 2016). Organizational Structure/Management/Design The ASPCA has a divisional organizational structure, as shown in the figure above. The ASPCA has not published any documents describing its management philosophy, but has an established hierarchy. The company is divided into three main divisions including community outreach, animal health services and anti-cruelty initiatives. (ASPCA, 2016). The Community Outreach division is made up of five departments, including the Office of Community Outreach Programs, Community Initiatives, Adoption Center, ASPCA ProLearning and Veterinary Outreach. He is responsible for distributing grants and educational materials, and leads training for animal shelters and rescues across the country. (ASPCA, 2016). The second division of the ASPCA is Animal Health Services. It consists of three departments, including the ASPCA Veterinary Hospital, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, and the Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinics, each covering a different area of ​​animal health and welfare. The Office of Programs, a department within the Community Outreach Division, plays an important integrated role in this division. It provides strategic leadership in animal care, medical expert support for media and marketing, harmonization of medical records, as well as training and business support. In addition, the program office also provides accounting and budget management support to the animal health services as well as human resources, office management and security and building maintenance support to the ASPCA location in Urbana, Illinois. (ASPCA, 2016). The third division is the Anti-Cruelty Group. It includes seven departments, including Field Investigation and Response, Humane Law Enforcement/Cruelty Response Defense, Forensic Science and Anti-Cruelty Projects, ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center, Anti-Cruelty Behavior Team, Government Relations and Legal Defense. Each department addresses different aspects regarding the fight against animal cruelty in the United States. (ASPCA, 2016).Organizational Environment/BackgroundThe ASPCA has changed a lot since its founding in 1866. Most changes have occurred due to the natural progression and evolution of an organization and growing knowledge of the world which surrounds it. The ASPCA has significantly increased its power and reach through the implementation of new programs, divisions and departments. The organizational structure has become much more complex and widespread due to the many new battles they face and the addition of new locations across the country. The physical structure of the organization is based in New York, where the organization was originally founded. It is the site of the Executive Management and Board of Directors, as well as the ASPCA Adoption Center, Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic, ASPCA Veterinary Hospital, and many other important services . The ASPCA also has animal shelters and hospitals throughout the country. Additionally, they also work with a large number of partner animal protection and rescue organizations across the country to train, educate and contribute to mutual efforts to ensure animal welfare. The physical structure is very important to an organization. TherePhysical structure is involved in many aspects of organizational structure and crosses social, cultural and technological boundaries. Creating an identity is an important part of building a strong organizational structure and can be greatly facilitated by the use of a physical structure. This is important not only for employees but also for stakeholders, funders and associates (Hatch, 2013). Additionally, in a place like the ASPCA, where a large number of community members are served, it also sets the tone for how the organization is perceived by the community and thus takes into account the expectations of members of the community. community as well as all others. those who are most anchored in the company. The biggest change in the physical structure of this organization is the expansion across the United States. By having so many different locations across the country, the organization is under increased pressure to maintain a single identity across all of its branches. Establishing and maintaining an identity to hold an organization together is extremely important to ensuring a strong organization.structure.Organizational Culture/Power/ConflictFrom the somewhat limited information available online, it appears that the Community Outreach division of the organization has the most power because of its wide range of programs affecting other departments, as discussed in the section on organizational structure. Both the CEO and the board of directors have considerable power in the organization, as all decisions are subject to their approval (Bernstein, 2013). The most notable internal conflict within the ASPCA was that of the (activist) Board of Directors. Facts, 2016). The ASPCA Board of Directors has historically been criticized for its lack of consistency with the organization's animal protection principles. Many board members throughout the organization's history have participated in hunting for sport, worn fur, and participated in "canned hunts" (Activist Facts, 2016). The board has also been criticized for being more focused on social status than on animals (Bernstein, 2013). It also experienced numerous disagreements leading to great fluidity of board members, with the resignation of 15 people (out of a board of 20 people) and their replacement over a short period of seven years (Bernstein, 2016). There were also a number of disagreements. external controversies surrounding the ASPCA throughout its history. One of the biggest controversies involved the Ringling Brothers circus. The ASPCA accused Ringling Bros. of abusing their show elephants, but the lawsuit was dismissed in 2009 after the presiding judge found that the ASPCA had paid the key witness in the case to lie under oath. It turned out that the ASPCA had inspected the Ringling Bros. elephants. at the exhibition in New York a few years earlier, and found no evidence of mistreatment (Activist Facts, 2016). Another controversy within the ASPCA in 1994 resulted in the firing of four high-ranking members of the organization. The four members were fired after it was discovered that some workers in their jurisdiction were earning as much as $131,000 in overtime a year. This was a blatant misuse of money that drew attention to the organization's lack of financial structure and its need to be reorganized and improved (Barbanel, 1994). Assessing the Organization's Future Although the ASPCA has experienced some controversies during its life, it appears to fulfill.”