ASPCA Partnership Comes to Charlotte, N.C.

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced that Charlotte, N.C. will become an ASPCA Partner Community in 2014 in an effort to save the lives of more at-risk and homeless pets through a collaborative effort called The ASPCA Partnership.

The ASPCA Partnership includes the following Charlotte-area animal welfare agencies: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control (an open admission public shelter); and the Humane Society of Charlotte (a private, non-profit animal welfare agency).

“We’ve been watching the accomplishments of our new partners in Charlotte for some time now, and we know that if they keep collaborating the way they have been, they’ll continue to save more animals,” said ASPCA President & CEO Matt Bershadker. “Working together to make a greater impact on the lives of animals in our communities is one of the important things we can and will do as a national organization.”

The ASPCA Partnership will include annual planning meetings with Charlotte partners to determine and monitor goals, strategies and needs. It also includes a grant allocation process, where partner agencies will have the opportunity to apply for substantial grants to address the community’s needs and implement targeted, sustainable programs aimed at increasing live outcomes for animals. The agencies will also have access to ASPCA resources, expertise and guidance, as well as strategic planning support, statistical analysis, training, and participation in ground-breaking research projects.

“We are excited to be chosen by The ASPCA to become a partner community in 2014. The ASPCA has a great foundation and a vast array of knowledge that will assist us in making even greater strides in the welfare of animals in the Charlotte community. We are enthusiastic to be connected to an agency that not only lends us the support we need, but also engages the community through collaboration. The ASPCA has documented successes and we are honored to be chosen to be a part of a partnership that supports our efforts in increasing live outcomes and finding safe and loving homes for our animals,” said Deputy Chief Vicki Foster of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police.

“The Humane Society of Charlotte is so excited to have this opportunity to further our work to increase the number of lives saved here in Mecklenburg County.  Every single day, we strive to make a difference in this community for the animals and the people who care about them. Having the support and expertise of the ASPCA and their knowledge of proven strategies that have worked in other partner communities is invaluable and will help us strengthen our community partnerships and pave the way to making Charlotte a city where ultimately every healthy animal has a chance at life.  We are grateful and honored that the ASPCA recognized the good work both of our agencies do and the potential here in Charlotte to have a huge impact on how we treat animals as a community,” said Shelly A. Moore, President & CEO of the Humane Society of Charlotte.

Last year, approximately 17,592 homeless animals entered the Charlotte partner agencies. Aside from overcrowding in its shelters, some of the other challenges facing Charlotte are the need for more lost animals to be reunited with their owners, an increase in targeted spay/neuter, and more pet adoptions.

Since 2007, the ASPCA has been lending its support, financially and through training and other human resources, to communities around the country with the goal of helping them save more animals. The ASPCA’s work focuses a collective effort on sustainable, data-driven plans and programs that engage the community in providing positive outcomes for these animals. Since the ASPCA began its Partnership  program in 2007, more than one million animals have been adopted, returned to owners, or spay/neutered as a result of the exceptional collaboration among partner agencies in each community.

In addition to Charlotte, N.C., the ASPCA’s current Partner Communities are Buncombe County, N.C.; Cleveland, Ohio; Louisville, Ky.; Miami-Dade County, Fla., Oklahoma City, Okla.; Sacramento, Calif.; Shelby County, Ala.; and Tallahassee, Fla.  The ASPCA’s investment in these partnerships—in the form of direct grants, capacity-building, training, ASPCA staff expertise, and strategic planning—varies from a one- to five-year period to address homeless animal issues in each community.