Polling: Americans Confused About National Animal Groups

Many Americans recognize the ASPCA’s fundraising commercial featuring Sarah McLachlan. To the tune of the singer’s “In the Arms of an Angel,” the ad shows images of dogs and cats that tugs at our heartstrings. But did you know that only 2% of the money raised by the ASPCA is given to local shelters–and that the ASPCA only runs one adoption center in New York?According to polling, most Americans don’t. Polling conducted in April 2023 finds that 78% of people say they’re familiar with the ASPCA brand. And yet most of the public is not aware that the ASPCA is not affiliated with local SPCAs and gives little of the money it raises to local pet shelters.

The name confusion between the ASPCA and local SPCAs, while understandable, is a constant thorn for local SPCAs. “The major problems that most SPCAs have is that the ASPCA does not fund these agencies. We receive no money from them at all,” says the head of the Nassau County SPCA.

The polling found:

• 81% of people mistakenly think “The ASPCA is an umbrella group that represents thousands of local SPCAs across America”
• 77% mistakenly think “The ASPCA contributes most of its money to local organizations that care for dogs and cats”
• 73% mistakenly think “My local SPCA or pet shelter is affiliated with the ASPCA”
• 67% mistakenly think “My local SPCA or pet shelter receives financial support from the ASPCA”

And yet the ASPCA’s tax return shows the group gives only about 2% of its budget to local pet shelters, while it pays its CEO “Million Dollar Matt” Bershadker nearly $1 million in compensation.

There is also public confusion about the Humane Society of the United States. HSUS runs ads similar to the ASPCA’s. And just like the ASPCA, there’s serious name confusion. HSUS is not affiliated with local humane societies, and only gives about 1% of its budget as cash grants to local pet shelters, according to its tax return. Unlike the ASPCA, HSUS does not even run one single pet shelter.

Polling finds:

• 80% of people mistakenly think “The Humane Society of the United States is an umbrella group that represents thousands of local humane societies across America”
• 76% mistakenly think “My local humane society or pet shelter is affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States”
• 74% mistakenly think “The Humane Society of the United States contributes most of its money to local organizations that care for dogs and cats”
• 71% mistakenly think “My local humane society or pet shelter receives financial support from the Humane Society of the United States”

The bottom line: If you want to help pets, give to your local shelter directly.