The ASPCA Acquires Humane Alliance, a National Pioneer in High-quality, High-volume Spay/Neuter Service and Training

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced that it has acquired Asheville, NC-based Humane Alliance (HA), the nation’s leading training and education organization focusing on high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter -- one of the most effective tools the animal welfare community has to combat homelessness and the needless euthanasia of dogs and cats.

Pioneering the development and dissemination of sophisticated high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) techniques since 1994, HA operates the foremost national spay/neuter clinic training program as well as a unique national veterinary training and education program that teaches best practices to hundreds of veterinary students and private veterinarians every year.

HA’s clinic training program has introduced spay/neuter capabilities to 141 clinics in the U.S. and Canada, facilitating 4.8 million surgeries through 2014. HA also operates a local spay/neuter clinic program in counties surrounding Asheville, where HA plays an important role in local animal population control.

As a result of this acquisition, Humane Alliance, now a program of the ASPCA, will expand capacity for vet students and veterinarians and the number of spay/neuter clinics and practitioners trained nationwide. This will make it possible for veterinarians, shelters, and rescue operations to reach millions more at-risk animals with these critical services, dramatically reducing the number of homeless pets entering shelters nationwide.

This acquisition culminates $6 million of ASPCA support for Humane Alliance programs over the last 10 years, including funding HA projects every year since 2007.

“From our animal sheltering work to field rescues to legislative advocacy, spay/neuter is an essential component of the ASPCA’s animal welfare efforts,” said ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker. “We have long admired and supported Humane Alliance’s innovations in spay/neuter practice and training, and are excited to combine forces to end animal homelessness and suffering around the country.” 

“The ASPCA is a long-standing partner and supporter of our spay/neuter programs, so this is a natural next step to further our reach and results,” said Quita Mazzina, formerly executive director of Humane Alliance and now vice president of the program within the ASPCA.

“As veterinarians specializing in high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter techniques, Humane Alliance’s expertise is unparalleled, and we know the unique skills of its staff will benefit the work we do around the country,” said Dr. Jed Rogers, senior vice president of animal health services for the ASPCA.

Humane Alliance opened its doors in 1994 in Asheville, N.C. with only four employees. In 2008, it launched its clinic training program, and in 2009, began training individual veterinarians. A year later, HA launched its veterinary extern training program. Through 2014, 511 veterinarians and 459 externs representing 47 states and nine countries have received expert guidance under Humane Alliance programs. Humane Alliance itself has performed 362,055 spay/neuter surgeries since 1994 – 23,683 in 2014 alone – with 10 full-time veterinarians on staff.

Earlier this year, the ASPCA announced its plan to build a permanent ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center in nearby Weaverville, N.C., following the success of its pilot program in New Jersey. The $9 million, 35,000-square-foot facility will be custom-fitted with individual kennels, outdoor pens and indoor treatment areas. There, experienced behaviorists and trainers will use specialized protocols to help dogs with behavioral challenges become suitable for adoption. The center is scheduled to open in 2017.