Earlier this month, we sent a poll to our supporters that asked which animal welfare issue was most important to them going into 2024. We focused on four issues: cruelty and disaster response to help animals in crisis and end their suffering, access to veterinary care and critical resources for pet parents, helping homeless animals find loving homes through fostering and adoption, and behavioral rehabilitation for animals who have been neglected or abused.

With an overwhelming 20,000 responses, the issue that was voted for the most was cruelty and disaster response to help animals in crisis and end their suffering.

This important issue is a significant part of our work. In 2024, we’re focused on continuing our efforts in disaster and cruelty response—aiming to be there for as many animals as possible at a moment’s notice. We hope that through these efforts, we see more happy outcomes and success stories from our dedicated programs that work with animals, families and communities impacted by cruelty and disasters.

Last year, supporters and animal lovers like you were by our side when we deployed our National Field Response team to assist during natural disasters like the devastating wildfires in Maui. We also assisted with the rescue of hundreds of animals from poor conditions in Wisconsin, Texas and Louisiana.

Nationwide, our teams care animals rescued from cases like these at the Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC) in Ohio, as well as the Behavioral Rehabilitation Center (BRC) in North Carolina. In New York City, the Animal Recovery Center (ARC) and the Canine Annex for Recovery and Enrichment (CARE) are also dedicated to helping animals from cruelty cases. These facilities are dedicated to supporting these animals with rehabilitation, daily care, medical support and anything else that they need to heal and prepare to find loving homes.

This critical work following a rescue leads to success stories like Riley, who was rescued from a property with 64 other dogs. While in our care at the CRC, he was treated for several medical conditions before moving to the BRC for behavioral care and support. It was there that he met a friend for life—Jillian. The two dogs quickly became buddies, and Jillian helped Riley come out of his shell. Soon enough, they were adopted together and are now enjoying life to the fullest.

Dogs like Riley and Jillian, and other rescued animals, have all faced incredibly difficult and tragic circumstances, but our response teams helped to give them the second chances they deserved and will continue to reach as many animals as possible in the new year. We thank you for your support and ask that you continue to keep animals in need top-of-mind this year.

Jillian and Riley with their new family.

• Become a vocal advocate for animals! See our list of actionable alerts and help us enact meaningful protections for animals across the country.
• Create your own fundraiser for animals in need that you can share with friends and family on your social media channels.
• Become a foster caregiver for the ASPCA in New York City, Los Angeles, Ohio or North Carolina. Or find a shelter near you to inquire about fostering.
• Donate to the ASPCA or become an ASPCA Guardian.