December 17, 2024
By: Sarah A. Neikam, SPCA Albrecht Center Marketing Director
During this season of giving, animal lovers are eager to make a difference and contribute to organizations that align with their values. However, a persistent misconception often leads well-intentioned donors to believe that national organizations like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) or the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) are umbrella organizations that funnel funds to smaller, local counterparts, such as our own SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare.
Unfortunately, this is absolutely not the case. Local and national animal welfare organizations are entirely independent entities, each with distinct missions, operations, and funding sources.
This misunderstanding can have significant consequences for local organizations like ours. While national organizations like the ASPCA and HSUS play vital roles on a larger scale—such as lobbying for legislative changes, leading large-scale animal cruelty rescue missions, running public awareness campaigns, and providing disaster relief—donations made to them do not trickle down to local SPCAs, Humane Societies, or animal shelters. While these efforts are important, they do not provide direct support to local shelters like ours.
A recent example illustrates this issue clearly: An old friend of my family passed away, and their obituary included the suggestion, “In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA.” Unfortunately, the link that was provided directed donations to the ASPCA rather than to our website’s donation page.
While I was able to catch and correct this mistake by contacting the funeral home, it’s impossible to know how many similar errors go unnoticed, diverting funds that donors intended for local animals to a national organization based in New York.
Local animal rescue organizations are vital to their communities. These organizations operate shelters, foster programs, spay/neuter clinics, and other essential services that directly benefit animals in need within our neighborhoods. They rely entirely on local donations and community support to continue their lifesaving work.
If you’re passionate about helping animals in your community, here’s how you can make a real difference:
Donate Locally: Direct your financial support to local organizations like the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare. Your contributions will go directly toward caring for animals in your area.
Volunteer: Offer your time and skills to your local shelter or rescue group. Whether you help with daily tasks, foster animals, or assist with fundraising events, your involvement has a tangible impact.
Spread the Word: Educate your friends and family about the difference between local and national organizations. Share information about local animal welfare groups on social media or in conversations.
Do Your Research: Before donating, verify where your money will go. Check the mailing address for the check or the website for local information. Use resources like Guidestar or Charity Navigator to review an organization’s financials and mission.
It’s also important to double-check donation links, especially in situations like obituaries, fundraisers, or social media campaigns, to ensure the funds are directed to the intended organization. Small steps like these can prevent well-meaning gifts from being misrouted.
Understanding the difference between local and national animal welfare organizations empowers you to make informed choices about where to direct your support. While national organizations play a vital role in raising awareness and advocating for animals on a large scale, local shelters and rescue groups are the ones working on the frontlines to save lives in your community.
By choosing to support local organizations, you ensure that your generosity has a direct and meaningful impact on animals in need, right here at home.
Donations to the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare can be brought or mailed to 199 Willow Run Road, Aiken SC 29801. Donations can be made online at LetLoveLive.org. You can also Text-to-Give by texting Gift4Pets to 53-555.
Sarah Neikam is the Marketing Director for the SPCA Albrecht Center in Aiken, SC. She has been with the organization since 2012, holding various roles including Volunteer Coordinator and Director of Operations & HR. A Certified Animal Welfare Administrator as of 2022, Sarah is a passionate advocate for animal welfare. She resides in Aiken with her husband, Tom, and several beloved cats.