When the biggest dogfighting bust in history – a multi-state, multi-agency effort – went down last summer, the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals joined forces to help the Humane Society of Missouri compile evidence and care for more than 500 animals. In September, the American Humane Association arrived to help; this month Best Friends Animal Society was among groups that transported dogs to new locales.
It's the kind of cooperative effort unheard of in times past.
But major animal welfare organizations are regularly partnering – without fanfare and on an ad hoc basis – on a range of projects, from saving animals in natural disasters to rescuing puppy-mill dogs, fighting dogs and animals held by hoarders, to pressing for legislation.
"We've been embarrassingly fractious with one another in our history," acknowledges Ed Sayres, CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
It's a common refrain in the non-profit world. Like most same-cause non-profits that compete for money from many of the same funding sources, those in the animal sphere vigorously presented and protected their own individual projects and successes, often while sniping at others. The groups' differing approaches, scope and reach, plus, all acknowledge, some ego issues, blocked the notion of cooperation, except in occasional joint pushes for legislation.
Often today, however, "we pool our resources," Sayres says. The impetus? "Lives are at stake."
In the Michael Vick dogfighting case, several groups had roles; for some hoarding and puppy-mill raids, HSUS, ASPCA, American Humane, United Animal Nations (UAN) and Best Friends have pitched in.
Currently, HSUS, Maddie's Fund and ASPCA are suing to force the trustees of Leona Helmsley's $5 billion estate to follow the stated desire in her will that dogs be helped. Less than $100,000 of the initial $136 million dispersed has gone to animal groups, says Wayne Pacelle, CEO of HSUS; he calls the suit a "landmark challenge" the groups hope will ensure "people's wishes are actually honored." More than 100 groups have written the judge in support.
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