MSPCA-Angell
Encyclopedia
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell Animal Medical Center (MSPCA-Angell) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
with its main headquarters
on South Huntington Avenue in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston
, Massachusetts
. It was founded in 1868 and is the second-oldest humane society
in the United States
. "MSPCA-Angell" was adopted as the society's identity in 2003 and indicates the names of its two closely related predecessor organizations: Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Angell Memorial Animal Hospital. The organization provides direct care to thousands of animals each year.
s being raced to death by carrying two riders each over forty miles of rough roads, George Thorndike Angell
, a Boston Brahmin
lawyer
, began a high-profile protest of animal cruelty. He joined with Emily Appleton
, a Boston socialite
and animal lover who provided financial support and they, along with 1,200 others, formed the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA). Among distinguished locals on the first board of directors
were John Quincy Adams II
, Ralph Waldo Emerson
, Henry Saltonstall, and William Gordon Weld
.
Also in 1868, they began publication of Our Dumb Animals a magazine "to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves". The Boston Police Department
helped distribute their first press run of publishes 200,000 copies. Influenced by the activities of this organization, the Massachusetts General Court
passed the first anti-animal cruelty act in Massachusetts the following year.
In 1886, the society's first official headquarters were dedicated at 19 Milk Street
in Downtown Crossing
. The first MSPCA branch was established in Springfield, Massachusetts
in 1914. The following year, a veterinary clinic known as the Angell Memorial Animal Hospital was established on Boston's Longwood Avenue
. In 1917, the MSPCA established a permanent animal shelter
at Nevins Farm in Methuen, Massachusetts
to care for retired police horses and other working animal
s. It is still the only open-door horse and farm animal rescue center in New England
. Shelter for small animals was added to the Methuen facility in 1924.
In 1927, the society formed the American Fondouk Maintenance Committee in Fez, Morocco and opened a center there two years later. In 1929, an animal hospital
joined the MSCPA's Springfield location. In 1935, the Cape Cod Animal Shelter, now part of MSPCA-Angell, was opened in Centerville, Massachusetts
. The following year, an animal shelter that is now also part of MSPCA-Angell opened in Pittsfield, Massachusetts
. The Angell Memorial Animal Hospital launched the first veterinary intern
training program in 1940. The MSPCA assumed control of the Foote Memorial Animal Shelter on Martha's Vineyard
in 1945 and in 1950 the MSPCA opened an animal shelter on Nantucket which evolved into Carlee Memorial Animal Hospital (now Angell-Nantucket).
Alvord Wildlife Sanctuary in New Hampshire was dedicated by the MSPCA in 1956. That same year, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(RSPCA) in Great Britain
joined with the MSPCA to create the International Society for the Protection of Animals (now the World Society for the Protection of Animals
). In 1959, MSPCA President Dr. Eric Hansen was elected first president of the ISPA.
Angell Memorial Animal Hospital built a veterinary intensive care unit in 1959 that was the first of its kind. In 1962, the MSPCA and ISPA begin work to improve inhumane slaughterhouse
s in Latin America
. In 1964, the MSPCA launched "Operation Gwamba" in Surinam which saved 9,737 animals from hydroelectric dam flood
ing and was the largest such project in history. Over the next few years the MSPCA added full-service veterinary medicine to its facilities on Cape Cod and the Islands
.
The MSCPA and Angell Memorial Animal Hospital moved into a shared facility at 350 South Huntington Avenue in 1976 which was the most extensive animal service center ever created by a humane society. An adoption center was established at this location as well.
The MSPCA assisted law enforcement
officers
in animal rescue
after eruption of Mount St. Helens
in 1979. Conditions at Boston's Franklin Park Zoo
were improved through the direct involvement of the MSPCA starting in 1982. The MSPCA formed the Center for Laboratory Animal Welfare (CLAW) in 1992 and in the following year established the Animal Disaster Relief Fund to aid in animal protection and rescue globally.
In 1994, a new MSPCA facility was opened in Brockton, Massachusetts
and Nevins Farm in Methuen launched the Equine Ambulance Program to offer emergency rescue and transport of disabled horses in New England and ambulance
services events involving horses worldwide. In 1994, the society established Phinney's Friends, the first program run by a humane society to assist people with HIV/AIDS and their pets. The Shalit-Glazer Clinic was formed in 1996 to provide spay
-neuter
surgery
for pet
s of low-income families.
In 1997, Angell Memorial established the Cancer Care Center to provide on-site radiation therapy
for animals. The same year, the MSPCA Archives Library was dedicated.
, neurology
, diagnostic imaging, pathology
, orthopedic surgery
, dentistry
, ophthalmology
, nutrition
, and preventative medicine.
Angell-Boston has Magnetic resonance imaging
equipment specially designed for imaging animals which is the first in New England the second available in the United States. This equipment is part of a $28 million building campaign to improve the Boston facility after a 2002 fire closed it for two months. The refurbished Boston facility includes the Helen Schmidt Stanton Clinical Care Center and the Copeland Animal Care and Adoption Center.
The MSPCA has a Law Enforcement Department and is one of the organizers of the Annual Walk for Animals on Boston Common
. The Angell Animal Poison Control hotline
(1-877-2ANGELL) is a 24-hour service available to pet owners and veterinarians to speak to experts in veterinary toxicology
.
in Massachusetts. Among the areas in which MSPCA-Angell takes a position are:
Other areas in which MSPCA-Angell has a position are genetic engineering
and animal patenting
, the training of guard dog
s to increase their aggression
, hunting
for sport
or as a tool for wildlife management
, the capture of wild animals as pets and attempts at their domestication
, the commercialization
of animal breed
by pet shops , and the use of animals in rodeo
s . The MSPCA-Angell also takes a relatively negative view of zoological parks and aquaria
which includes creating a list of "rigid criteria, without which there is insufficient justification for their existence"
MSPCA-Angell recently led a successful campaign for the Boston City Council
to create a city ordinance prohibiting pet rental
agencies from operating in Boston.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
with its main headquarters
Headquarters
Headquarters denotes the location where most, if not all, of the important functions of an organization are coordinated. In the United States, the corporate headquarters represents the entity at the center or the top of a corporation taking full responsibility managing all business activities...
on South Huntington Avenue in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. It was founded in 1868 and is the second-oldest humane society
Humane Society
A humane society may be a group that aims to stop human or animal suffering due to cruelty or other reasons, although in many countries, it is now used mostly for societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. "MSPCA-Angell" was adopted as the society's identity in 2003 and indicates the names of its two closely related predecessor organizations: Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Angell Memorial Animal Hospital. The organization provides direct care to thousands of animals each year.
History
In 1868, after reading about two horseHorse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
s being raced to death by carrying two riders each over forty miles of rough roads, George Thorndike Angell
George Thorndike Angell
George Thorndike Angell was an American lawyer, philanthropist, and advocate for the humane treatment of animals....
, a Boston Brahmin
Boston Brahmin
Boston Brahmins are wealthy Yankee families characterized by a highly discreet and inconspicuous life style. Based in and around Boston, they form an integral part of the historic core of the East Coast establishment...
lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, began a high-profile protest of animal cruelty. He joined with Emily Appleton
Emily Appleton
Emily Appleton was a Boston socialite and animal lover who provided financial support for the foundation of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1868. Appleton was already nurturing an American anti-animal cruelty movement when she saw a letter in the Boston Daily...
, a Boston socialite
Socialite
A socialite is a person who participates in social activities and spends a significant amount of time entertaining and being entertained at fashionable upper-class events....
and animal lover who provided financial support and they, along with 1,200 others, formed the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA). Among distinguished locals on the first board of directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
were John Quincy Adams II
John Quincy Adams II
John Quincy Adams II was an American lawyer and politician.-Biography:Adams was the son of Charles Francis Adams, the grandson and namesake of president John Quincy Adams and the great-grandson of President John Adams...
, Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American essayist, lecturer, and poet, who led the Transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century...
, Henry Saltonstall, and William Gordon Weld
William Gordon Weld
William Gordon Weld was a shipmaster and ship owner. He is notable as an ancestor of several famous Welds.-Ancestry and early life:...
.
Also in 1868, they began publication of Our Dumb Animals a magazine "to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves". The Boston Police Department
Boston Police Department
The Boston Police Department , created in 1838, holds the primary responsibility for law enforcement and investigation within the city of Boston, Massachusetts. It is one of the oldest police departments in the United States...
helped distribute their first press run of publishes 200,000 copies. Influenced by the activities of this organization, the Massachusetts General Court
Massachusetts General Court
The Massachusetts General Court is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The name "General Court" is a hold-over from the Colonial Era, when this body also sat in judgment of judicial appeals cases...
passed the first anti-animal cruelty act in Massachusetts the following year.
Milk Street
Milk Street is a street in the financial district of Boston, Massachusetts.Milk Street was one of Boston's earliest highways. The name "Milk Street" was given to the street in 1708 due to the milk market at the location...
in Downtown Crossing
Downtown Crossing
Downtown Crossing is a shopping district in Boston, Massachusetts, located due east of Boston Common and west of the Financial District. It features large department stores as well as restaurants, music stores, souvenir sellers, general retail establishments, and many street vendors...
. The first MSPCA branch was established in Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
in 1914. The following year, a veterinary clinic known as the Angell Memorial Animal Hospital was established on Boston's Longwood Avenue
Longwood (MBTA station)
Longwood Station is a stop on the D branch of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority 's Green Line. It is located on Chapel Street in Brookline, close to its intersection with Longwood Avenue, Boston and is the most convenient stop for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Temple...
. In 1917, the MSPCA established a permanent animal shelter
Animal shelter
An animal shelter is a facility that houses homeless, lost, or abandoned animals; primarily a large variety of dogs and cats.Parrots, for example, are the third most common pet owned by people...
at Nevins Farm in Methuen, Massachusetts
Methuen, Massachusetts
Methuen is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 43,789 at the 2000 census.-History:Methuen was first settled in 1642 and was officially incorporated in 1726; it is named for the British diplomat Sir Paul Methuen. Methuen was originally part of Haverhill,...
to care for retired police horses and other working animal
Working animal
A working animal is an animal, usually domesticated, that is kept by humans and trained to perform tasks. They may be close members of the family, such as guide or service dogs, or they may be animals trained strictly to perform a job, such as logging elephants. They may also be used for milk, a...
s. It is still the only open-door horse and farm animal rescue center in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
. Shelter for small animals was added to the Methuen facility in 1924.
In 1927, the society formed the American Fondouk Maintenance Committee in Fez, Morocco and opened a center there two years later. In 1929, an animal hospital
Animal Hospital
Animal Hospital was a television show starring Rolf Harris that ran on the BBC from 1994 until 2004. The story showed animal welfare stories from RSPCA hospitals.-Location:...
joined the MSCPA's Springfield location. In 1935, the Cape Cod Animal Shelter, now part of MSPCA-Angell, was opened in Centerville, Massachusetts
Centerville, Massachusetts
Centerville is a village in the Town of Barnstable, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. Located on the south side of Barnstable, Centerville is primarily residential, includes a small business district, notable beaches, and a school . Centerville contains the neighborhood of Craigville, which includes...
. The following year, an animal shelter that is now also part of MSPCA-Angell opened in Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Pittsfield is the largest city and the county seat of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the principal city of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Berkshire County. Its area code is 413. Its ZIP code is 01201...
. The Angell Memorial Animal Hospital launched the first veterinary intern
Intern
Internship is a system of onthejob training for white-collar jobs, similar to an apprenticeship. Interns are usually college or university students, but they can also be high school students or post graduate adults seeking skills for a new career. They may also be as young as middle school or in...
training program in 1940. The MSPCA assumed control of the Foote Memorial Animal Shelter on Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard is an island located south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, known for being an affluent summer colony....
in 1945 and in 1950 the MSPCA opened an animal shelter on Nantucket which evolved into Carlee Memorial Animal Hospital (now Angell-Nantucket).
Alvord Wildlife Sanctuary in New Hampshire was dedicated by the MSPCA in 1956. That same year, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a charity in England and Wales that promotes animal welfare. In 2009 the RSPCA investigated 141,280 cruelty complaints and collected and rescued 135,293 animals...
(RSPCA) in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
joined with the MSPCA to create the International Society for the Protection of Animals (now the World Society for the Protection of Animals
World Society for the Protection of Animals
The World Society for the Protection of Animals is an international non-profit animal welfare organization and also a federation of such organisations and active in over 150 countries with more than 1000 member societies.- Organization :...
). In 1959, MSPCA President Dr. Eric Hansen was elected first president of the ISPA.
Angell Memorial Animal Hospital built a veterinary intensive care unit in 1959 that was the first of its kind. In 1962, the MSPCA and ISPA begin work to improve inhumane slaughterhouse
Slaughterhouse
A slaughterhouse or abattoir is a facility where animals are killed for consumption as food products.Approximately 45-50% of the animal can be turned into edible products...
s in Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
. In 1964, the MSPCA launched "Operation Gwamba" in Surinam which saved 9,737 animals from hydroelectric dam flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
ing and was the largest such project in history. Over the next few years the MSPCA added full-service veterinary medicine to its facilities on Cape Cod and the Islands
The Islands (Massachusetts)
The Islands is the collective name for the set of large islands south of Cape Cod in the southeast corner of the U.S. state of Massachusetts: Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and the Elizabeth Islands, and a small number of minor islands...
.
The MSCPA and Angell Memorial Animal Hospital moved into a shared facility at 350 South Huntington Avenue in 1976 which was the most extensive animal service center ever created by a humane society. An adoption center was established at this location as well.
The MSPCA assisted law enforcement
Law enforcement agency
In North American English, a law enforcement agency is a government agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws.Outside North America, such organizations are called police services. In North America, some of these services are called police while others have other names In North American...
officers
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
in animal rescue
Animal rescue
Animal rescue can refer to:* Animal Rescue TV series* Animal sanctuary* Animal welfare* Rescue groups for pets* Pet Rescue * RSPCA Animal Rescue TV series* Wildlife rescue* Wildlife rehabilitation...
after eruption of Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens is an active stratovolcano located in Skamania County, Washington, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is south of Seattle, Washington and northeast of Portland, Oregon. Mount St. Helens takes its English name from the British diplomat Lord St Helens, a...
in 1979. Conditions at Boston's Franklin Park Zoo
Franklin Park Zoo
The Franklin Park Zoo is a zoo located in Boston, Massachusetts. It is currently operated by Zoo New England, which also operates the Stone Zoo in Stoneham, Massachusetts...
were improved through the direct involvement of the MSPCA starting in 1982. The MSPCA formed the Center for Laboratory Animal Welfare (CLAW) in 1992 and in the following year established the Animal Disaster Relief Fund to aid in animal protection and rescue globally.
In 1994, a new MSPCA facility was opened in Brockton, Massachusetts
Brockton, Massachusetts
Brockton is a city in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States; the population was 93,810 in the 2010 Census. Brockton, along with Plymouth, are the county seats of Plymouth County...
and Nevins Farm in Methuen launched the Equine Ambulance Program to offer emergency rescue and transport of disabled horses in New England and ambulance
Ambulance
An ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of sick or injured people to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury, and in some instances will also provide out of hospital medical care to the patient...
services events involving horses worldwide. In 1994, the society established Phinney's Friends, the first program run by a humane society to assist people with HIV/AIDS and their pets. The Shalit-Glazer Clinic was formed in 1996 to provide spay
Neutering
Neutering, from the Latin neuter , is the removal of an animal's reproductive organ, either all of it or a considerably large part. The process is often used in reference to males whereas spaying is often reserved for females. Colloquially, both terms are often referred to as fixing...
-neuter
Neuter
Neuter is a Latin adjective meaning "neither", and can refer to:* Neutering, the sterilization of an animal* The neuter grammatical gender-See also:*Trap-Neuter-Return , an alternative to euthanasia for managing feral cat and dog populations...
surgery
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
for pet
Pet
A pet is a household animal kept for companionship and a person's enjoyment, as opposed to wild animals or to livestock, laboratory animals, working animals or sport animals, which are kept for economic or productive reasons. The most popular pets are noted for their loyal or playful...
s of low-income families.
In 1997, Angell Memorial established the Cancer Care Center to provide on-site radiation therapy
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy , radiation oncology, or radiotherapy , sometimes abbreviated to XRT or DXT, is the medical use of ionizing radiation, generally as part of cancer treatment to control malignant cells.Radiation therapy is commonly applied to the cancerous tumor because of its ability to control...
for animals. The same year, the MSPCA Archives Library was dedicated.
Services
The MSPCA operates four MSPCA Animal Care and Adoption Centers: Boston, Nevins Farm and Equine Center (Methuen), Cape Cod, and Nantucket. It also operates two Angell Animal Medical Centers, in Boston and Nantucket. Together these facilities employ nearly 80 full-time veterinarians including board-certified specialists in fields such as cancer care, cardiologyCardiology
Cardiology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart . The field includes diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology...
, neurology
Neurology
Neurology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Specifically, it deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of disease involving the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, including their coverings, blood vessels, and all effector tissue,...
, diagnostic imaging, pathology
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
, orthopedic surgery
Orthopedic surgery
Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system...
, dentistry
Dentistry
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
, ophthalmology
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
, nutrition
Nutrition
Nutrition is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy diet....
, and preventative medicine.
Angell-Boston has Magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging , nuclear magnetic resonance imaging , or magnetic resonance tomography is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to visualize detailed internal structures...
equipment specially designed for imaging animals which is the first in New England the second available in the United States. This equipment is part of a $28 million building campaign to improve the Boston facility after a 2002 fire closed it for two months. The refurbished Boston facility includes the Helen Schmidt Stanton Clinical Care Center and the Copeland Animal Care and Adoption Center.
The MSPCA has a Law Enforcement Department and is one of the organizers of the Annual Walk for Animals on Boston Common
Boston Common
Boston Common is a central public park in Boston, Massachusetts. It is sometimes erroneously referred to as the "Boston Commons". Dating from 1634, it is the oldest city park in the United States. The Boston Common consists of of land bounded by Tremont Street, Park Street, Beacon Street,...
. The Angell Animal Poison Control hotline
Hotline
In telecommunication, a hotline is a point-to-point communications link in which a call is automatically directed to the preselected destination without any additional action by the user when the end instrument goes off-hook...
(1-877-2ANGELL) is a 24-hour service available to pet owners and veterinarians to speak to experts in veterinary toxicology
Toxicology
Toxicology is a branch of biology, chemistry, and medicine concerned with the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms...
.
Statements of Belief
MSPCA-Angell takes a strong stand on a number of animal-related issues and is influential in creating animal-related legislationLegislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
in Massachusetts. Among the areas in which MSPCA-Angell takes a position are:
- Animal Control: a comprehensive category of concern which includes advocacy for the prevention of animal overpopulationOverpopulationOverpopulation is a condition where an organism's numbers exceed the carrying capacity of its habitat. The term often refers to the relationship between the human population and its environment, the Earth...
, proper leashing and humane confinement of animals, responsible standards for animal adoptionAdoptionAdoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents...
, and humane euthanasiaEuthanasiaEuthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
of animals when appropriate - Animal FightingBlood sportBloodsport or blood sport is any sport or entertainment that involves violence against animals.Bloodsport includes coursing or beagling, combat sports such as cockfighting and dog fighting, or other activities...
: the society is "unequivocally opposed" to setting one animal against a person or other animal as is done in dogfighting, cockfighting, bullbaiting, and bullfightingBullfightingBullfighting is a traditional spectacle of Spain, Portugal, southern France and some Latin American countries , in which one or more bulls are baited in a bullring for sport and entertainment... - Assistance AnimalsAssistance dogAn assistance dog is a dog trained to aid or assist a person with a disability. Many are trained by a specific organization, while others are trained by their handler .-Classification:...
: the society advocates that it is critical that the needs both the animals and they people they assist are met - Classroom Animals: the society believe that animals should only be kept as classroom pets "if they are acquired for the purpose of educating students about the sentience of animals and the need for responsible, humane care"
- Cosmetic Surgery in Animals: the society opposes ear cropping and tail docking in dogs, tailTailThe tail is the section at the rear end of an animal's body; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. It is the part of the body that corresponds roughly to the sacrum and coccyx in mammals, reptiles, and birds...
myotomyMyotomyMyotomy describes a surgical procedure in which muscle is cut.A common example of a myotomy is the Heller myotomy....
in horses and any "surgery done on animals solely for cosmetic reasons or to disguise an imperfection" - Dangerous Dog LawsBreed-specific legislationBreed-specific legislation is a law or ordinance passed by a legislative body pertaining to a specific breed or breeds of domesticated animals. In practice, it generally refers to laws or ordinances pertaining to a specific dog breed or breeds....
: the society opposes breed-specific legislationBreed-specific legislationBreed-specific legislation is a law or ordinance passed by a legislative body pertaining to a specific breed or breeds of domesticated animals. In practice, it generally refers to laws or ordinances pertaining to a specific dog breed or breeds....
and believes that these laws are not an effective way to control dangerous dogs - Declawing CatsOnychectomyOnychectomy, popularly known as declawing, is an operation to surgically remove an animal's claws by means of amputating all or part of the distal phalanx, or end bones, of the animal's toes. It is performed most often on household cats, though occasionally on other animals such as circus lions or...
: the society states that onychectomyOnychectomyOnychectomy, popularly known as declawing, is an operation to surgically remove an animal's claws by means of amputating all or part of the distal phalanx, or end bones, of the animal's toes. It is performed most often on household cats, though occasionally on other animals such as circus lions or...
is neither a minor procedure nor a painless one and therefore and opposes it being done for non-medical reasons - Devocalization of AnimalsDebarkingDevocalization is a surgical procedure applied to dogs and cats, where tissue is removed from the animal’s vocal cords in order to permanently reduce the volume of their vocalizations...
: likewise, the society opposes debarkingDebarkingDevocalization is a surgical procedure applied to dogs and cats, where tissue is removed from the animal’s vocal cords in order to permanently reduce the volume of their vocalizations...
of dogs and laryngectomyLaryngectomyLaryngectomy is the removal of the larynx and separation of the airway from the mouth, nose and esophagus. The laryngectomee breathes through an opening in the neck, a stoma. This procedure is usually performed in cases of laryngeal cancer...
of animals in general - Euthanasia of Shelter AnimalsEuthanasiaEuthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
: recognizing that the number of animals in shelter exceeds the number of responsible people available to adopt them, the society condones euthanasia but condemns the use of high-altitude decompression chambers, electrocutionElectric shockElectric Shock of a body with any source of electricity that causes a sufficient current through the skin, muscles or hair. Typically, the expression is used to denote an unwanted exposure to electricity, hence the effects are considered undesirable....
, injectable paralytic agents, unfiltered and uncooled carbon monoxideCarbon monoxideCarbon monoxide , also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities, and is thought to have some normal...
, and drowningDrowningDrowning is death from asphyxia due to suffocation caused by water entering the lungs and preventing the absorption of oxygen leading to cerebral hypoxia....
for this purpose - Factory FarmingFactory farmingFactory farming is a term referring to the process of raising livestock in confinement at high stocking density, where a farm operates as a factory — a practice typical in industrial farming by agribusinesses. The main products of this industry are meat, milk and eggs for human consumption...
(Intensive Husbandry Practices): believing "that farm animals are creatures of intrinsic value, complexity and dignity" and that "the billions of animals raised each year in the United States for food, clothing, and other products are entitled to live their lives free of unnecessary pain, suffering and stress, as well as to a humane death", the society condemns many practices associated with factory farming while accepting the responsible and appropriate use of electric fencing to contain livestockLivestockLivestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
, selective breeding for desirable characteristics, and ear tags, tattooTattooA tattoo is made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification, and tattoos on other animals are most commonly used for identification purposes...
s, microchipMicrochip implant (animal)A microchip implant is an identifying integrated circuit placed under the skin of a dog, cat, horse, parrot or other animal. The chips are about the size of a large grain of rice and are based on a passive RFID technology....
s, and freeze branding (but not hot brandingLivestock brandingLivestock branding is a technique for marking livestock so as to identify the owner. Originally, livestock branding only referred to a hot brand for large stock, though the term is now also used to refer to other alternative techniques such as freeze branding...
) for animal identification - FurFurFur is a synonym for hair, used more in reference to non-human animals, usually mammals; particularly those with extensives body hair coverage. The term is sometimes used to refer to the body hair of an animal as a complete coat, also known as the "pelage". Fur is also used to refer to animal...
s: the society is against fur farmingFur farmingFur farming is the practice of breeding or raising certain types of animals for their fur.Fur used from wild caught animals is not farmed, and is instead known as 'free range fur' because the animals have lived their lives free and natural in the wild....
, fur trapping, and the use of fur in general saying "no valid justification exists for killing animals for their fur, since fur items are generally marketed and purchased solely as symbols of status and wealthStatus symbolA status symbol is a perceived visible, external denotation of one's social position and perceived indicator of economic or social status. Many luxury goods are often considered status symbols...
and are unnecessary for meeting human needs"
Other areas in which MSPCA-Angell has a position are genetic engineering
Genetic engineering
Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct human manipulation of an organism's genome using modern DNA technology. It involves the introduction of foreign DNA or synthetic genes into the organism of interest...
and animal patenting
Biological patent
A biological patent is a patent relating to an invention or discovery in biology. It can be a composition of matter, a method for obtaining or using one or more thereof, or a product combining such things...
, the training of guard dog
Guard dog
A guard dog, an attack dog or watch dog is a dog used to guard against, and watch for, unwanted or unexpected people or animals. The dog is discriminating so that it does not annoy or attack familiar people.-Barking:...
s to increase their aggression
Aggression
In psychology, as well as other social and behavioral sciences, aggression refers to behavior between members of the same species that is intended to cause humiliation, pain, or harm. Ferguson and Beaver defined aggressive behavior as "Behavior which is intended to increase the social dominance of...
, hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
for sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
or as a tool for wildlife management
Wildlife management
Wildlife management attempts to balance the needs of wildlife with the needs of people using the best available science. Wildlife management can include game keeping, wildlife conservation and pest control...
, the capture of wild animals as pets and attempts at their domestication
Domestication
Domestication or taming is the process whereby a population of animals or plants, through a process of selection, becomes accustomed to human provision and control. In the Convention on Biological Diversity a domesticated species is defined as a 'species in which the evolutionary process has been...
, the commercialization
Commercialization
Commercialization is the process or cycle of introducing a new product or production method into the market. The actual launch of a new product is the final stage of new product development, and the one where the most money will have to be spent for advertising, sales promotion, and other marketing...
of animal breed
Breed
A breed is a group of domestic animals or plants with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals or plants of the same species. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry, there is no scientifically accepted...
by pet shops , and the use of animals in rodeo
Rodeo
Rodeo is a competitive sport which arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain, Mexico, and later the United States, Canada, South America and Australia. It was based on the skills required of the working vaqueros and later, cowboys, in what today is the western United States,...
s . The MSPCA-Angell also takes a relatively negative view of zoological parks and aquaria
Public aquarium
A public aquarium is the aquatic counterpart of a zoo, housing living aquatic species for viewing. Most public aquariums feature tanks larger than those kept by home aquarists, as well as smaller tanks. Since the first public aquariums were built in the mid-19th century, they have become popular...
which includes creating a list of "rigid criteria, without which there is insufficient justification for their existence"
MSPCA-Angell recently led a successful campaign for the Boston City Council
Boston City Council
The Boston City Council is the legislative branch of government for the city of Boston. It is made up of 13 members: 9 district representatives and 4 at-large members. Councilors are elected to two-year terms and there is no limit on the number of terms an individual can serve...
to create a city ordinance prohibiting pet rental
Pet rental
Pet rental is the practice, usually administered by for-profit companies established for this specific purpose, of renting pets such as dog and cats. It is a controversial practice opposed by many animal rights advocates and has been banned in at least one municipality: Boston, Massachusetts....
agencies from operating in Boston.