edwin sayers
The most high-profile decision of my 40-year career in animal welfare occurred in 2007. At the time, as president and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, I greenlighted the famous Sarah McLachlan television commercial that struck a chord with America. .
The spot became a cultural phenomenon, parodied on “Saturday Night Live,” and forever revolutionized fundraising strategies for humanitarian causes. Star power further enhanced the direct response television approach we began exploring several years ago. Little did I know that my fundraising team's most impactful accomplishment would one day harm a local pet shelter.
The prime-time spot featuring a celebrity was a first in the animal welfare field, but it was a huge success. With this strategy, he increased the ASPCA's budget by more than $140 million in just 10 years.
This jump is surprising considering it took nearly 140 years to realize the $43 million budget.
Predictably, the bounty attracted imitators. Other major companies on the block, most notably the Humane Society of the United States, soon adopted similar advertising plans.
Fast forward to today, and national animal organizations have transformed into factory fundraisers, raking in donors and raking in hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Compared to 2001, the combined ASPCA and HSUS budget has grown by more than $400 million each year.
Animal lovers, including myself, thought the windfall would cost local pet shelters and rescues even more money. We were right the first time. The money primarily helped homeless cats and dogs. But sadly, the good times didn't last long. The once-strong pet shelter subsidy program has also been reduced to a line item representing just 1 to 2 percent of the annual budget.
As a result, local humane organizations and SPCAs that are not affiliated with national organizations face significant budget shortfalls. The number of homeless dogs and cats being adopted out is on the rise, and shelters lack the resources to handle the situation. As a recent Time magazine headline put it, “Surge in unwanted dogs fuels 'crisis' across U.S. animal shelters.”
Where did the money go? Financial support for local pet shelters has taken a backseat to bulging investment accounts and alternative priorities. These organizations have invested a total of $650 million for Rainy Days. News Alert: It's pouring.
In addition to drying up grants, local pet shelters are also facing cases of mistaken identity. Many well-meaning animal lovers donate to national organizations with similar-sounding names, mistakenly believing that the money will help their local pet shelters.
As a former longtime director of a regional small animal shelter in New Jersey, I sympathize. During my time at the ASPCA, I did my part to correct the mess by directing more funds to shelters.
But since then, the ASPCA and HSUS have retreated. Correcting name confusion and returning to a budget structure that strongly supports local facilities are not on the to-do list.
This is not to say that the ASPCA and HSUS are not currently doing anything to benefit animals. But there is no doubt that they are leaving local shelters behind.
The fundraising success of Sarah McLachlan's commercial created a gravy train that went off the tracks. I am responsible for starting it, but I am no longer in a position to put the brakes on it.
Until the ASPCA and HSUS revise their spending to prioritize stronger pet shelter grant programs, donors should donate locally.
Edwin Sayers served as President and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals from 2003 to 2013.
