. Explained Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA president Ken White, It is not honest to say to people who live in the San Francisco Bay Area that sending the largest gift you can manage to help the ASPCA in Manhattan is the best way for them to help protect an innocent and helpless animal, a particular animal, an animal not far from where that donor lives., Filed Under: Advocacy, Animal organizations, Animal rights & welfare, Culture & Animals, Feature Home Bottom, Humane history, Religion & philosophy, Shelters, Spay/neuter, USA Tagged With: Gary Rogers, Jim Axelrod, Jo Sullivan, Ken White, Matt Bershadker, Megan Towey, Merritt Clifton, Patti Mercer, Rachel Bailey. (See Fundraising turf war brings California groups complaint against the ASPCA.). Text STOP to opt-out, HELP for more info. Its obscene that anyone is given so much money that is intended to be used to help animals. Our research and studies on behavioras well as our direct care work across New York City and at our Behavioral Rehabilitation Center in Weaverville, North Carolinahave produced innovative programs and processes proven to save lives. The term SPCA is generic. . I wish the US was as appreciative of animals. "I would challenge the fact that 84% of people know the difference when the fundraising tactics would lead you to believe that money given to the ASPCA trickles down into local organizations," said Patti Mercer, president and CEO of the Houston SPCA. Matt: I see local animal control agencies moving toward a model that prioritizes helping owners responsibly care for the animals they have and working collaboratively with social services and shelters to support keeping pets at home with their families. News on dogs, cats, horses, wildlife, zoonoses, & nature. I think Mr. Matt Bershadker might want to give more to his employees and less for himself. he is one of famous President and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) with the age years old group. In 2020, our ASPCA Shelter Medicine Services (SMS) team established the Julie Morris Shelter Medicine Residency Program, a New York City-based training program designed to provide intensive clinical training for licensed veterinarians interested in developing deep expertise in Shelter Medicine Practice, a very important and influential discipline weve supported for many years. In cases like this, consideration for where the funds come from and for their intended use, should be a top consideration in whether it is ethical to make a millionaire out of its CEO. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. We did not want to have to post our IRS Form 990 and then pass the hat, especially when times were hard for everyone, not just ourselves, and even tougher for animals and most of the animal charities that try to help them. For several years after that an ASPCA flagship program wasand remainscross-country translocation of dogs from southern and rural pounds to northern cities where they might have better chances of adoption. The American SPCA (ASPCA), whose president received $852,000 in 2017, has not done cruelty investigations since 2013, formerly did cruelty investigations only in New York City, and since 1994 has operated only one animal shelter, in Manhattan. Matt and his family have two dogs, Tarzan and Loki. (Incidentally, Cleveland Amorys Fund for Animals had donated most of the cost of our first large animal ambulance). Prior to joining the ASPCA, Bershadker worked for ICF Consulting, Share our Strength[4] and Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network[5]. Thats what you get from ANIMALS 24-7, in our unique dual role of watchdogging and reporting the news about animal protection & advocacy from a caring perspective, informed by decades of experience on animal-related news beats. This cause should never be about earning top salaries and those folks can live well on much less than what they earn. I think you have been carefully following the Blue Cross of Indias work since at least the nineties and have visited our shelters more than once. What all of us do every day matters, and it will continue to matter until we live in a world where animals are thoroughly respected and cherished in our communities, our laws, our systems, and our values. Are animal charity donors at risk from the Blackbaud data security breach? And with a rating like that, I'm confused why ASPCA's CEO Matthew Bershadker received an annual salary of $800,000 in 2017 and $770,000 in 2018! I didnt get it, but 10 days later, I was offered a business development position at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. I called their phone number and and reported animal abuse to dogs in my area. In reality, Hughes said, the ASPCA operates only one animal shelter, in New York City. Discover who Matthew Bershadker is frequently seen with, and browse pictures of them together.. Matthew McConaughey Made His Views About Gun Law Reform Known at the White House. You cite that this isnt a personal attack but lets be fair here. But this is not to bash Bershadker himself, though we have significant differences with several ASPCA policies, all of them long predating his tenure, and question both his competence and accountability as a manager of humane programs. A more recent expos is here: Do farmed animal standards mix with gin? In its commercials, the ASPCA says a $19 monthly gift could mean the difference between life and death for animals in danger. Already an animal lover, Bershadker became an animal rights activist and, in 2001, began working at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. In our view, local veterinarians and local animal shelters and rescues are ideally working hand-in-hand, and we want to do everything we can to strengthen that relationship to benefit animals, families, and communities. Not acceptable. So much of that money could go to help the animals instead of lining his pocket. (See Why is the ASPCA stonewalling about the deaths of 20 dogs in transport? The nearest ASPCA is in Grand Junction Colo. The IQ of the average American is 90-100. They have become just soulless, money-harvesting machines that specialize in sappy television commercials about how they just help animals and your contribution can save a life. Anyone who sends them a dime is just throwing their money away. On January 10, 2019, ANIMALS 24-7 discovered from the ASPCA filing of IRS Form 990, and promptly pointed out, that Bershadker took home $804,372 in pay for 2017, including a bonus of $276,000, and received benefits of $47,859, for total compensation of $852,231more than any two other animal welfare executives in one year ever. Over $150 million of that went to Eagle-Com Inc, a Canadian media production company, to produce and place ASPCA's ads. By Jim Axelrod, Megan Towey and Rachel Bailey, August 2, 2021 / 12:18 PM How do they keep non-profit status? This $5 million effort included free pet food for dogs, cats, and horses in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, and Asheville; grants to struggling animal welfare organizations; emergency pet boarding services; expanded stationary and mobile veterinary care; and other vital resources for animals, people, and shelters coping with this crisis. Between 2009 and 2019, the ASPCA made more than $3.2 million selling donor lists. These are pure white birds. During Mr. Bershadker's tenure, the ASPCA also launched the Cruelty Intervention Advocacy program, a ground-breaking new initiative to help protect companion animals that are in danger of potential abuse or neglect, helping hundreds of New York City's animals in jeopardy of becoming cruelty victims. Matthew E. Bershadker was named president and CEO of American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in May 2013 and serves on the Global Animal Partnerships Board of Directors. About the ASPCAFounded in 1866, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) was the first animal welfare organization to be established in North America and today serves as the nations leading voice for vulnerable and victimized animals. It is all about me. A major source of inspiration for me has been witnessing the growing understanding and application of behavior sciences in animal welfare and the lifesaving impact behavior rehabilitation has on shelter animals, specifically on victims of cruelty and neglect. Some have assumed McConaughey is Republican largely because he is from Texas, which is a conservative, red state. My friends told me not to give a single cent. If you love animals so much, your pay should not be your top priority. With over 1,000employees, Axelrod mentioned, the ASPCAs mission is to rescue, protect and carefor animals in need through a wide range of activities like animalrelocation, advocacy, training, legislative and veterinary services.. They can laugh all they want right now, but when they stand before God one day they will have to answer for their greed and will spend eternity in Hell where they belong. The five muckrakes whose ideas built the Humane Society of the U.S. End human breeding of animals, says Ed Duvin; ANIMALS 24-7 responds, Killing contests: culture war losers flip the bird. How can he sleep at night knowing that money could go to others or the animals! Working to support existing and future veterinarians is an exciting prospect that will help animal shelters immeasurably. Additionally, for each monthly donor signed up by a canvasser, Ascenta Group US would receive a one-time fee of $285. NEW YORK--The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) today announced that it has named Matthew E. Bershadker President and CEO. Unfortunately, sources such as Charity Watch and Charity Navigator would not have caught the issues that ANIMALS 24-7 and CBS News noticed at the ASPCA, because their robots accept whatever organizations declare on IRS Form 990 at face value, and neither comb Form 990 for discrepancies, nor do on-the-ground program verification. also know about his Social media accounts i.e. Donation will be sent by my bank. Dori Dolgin. The ASPCA was established in 1866 by diplomat and animal welfare activist Henry Bergh in New York, where the organization still has its headquarters and offers the majority of its hands-on animal services, including sheltering, assisting with abuse investigations and spay/neuter surgeries. They have all meant so much to me and my family. President And CEO Of The American Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals (ASPCA) Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy, 2023American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. We are singling out Matthew Bershadker as an example, because back in 2017 he became, by far, the highest paid individual for a single year in the whole history of the humane movementand has broken his own record every year since. Mittendorf says that strategy isn't wrong, but it all comes down to expectations. It saysthe remaining $148 million is tied up in fixed assets, restricteddonations and multiyear pledges, Axelrod acknowledged. Continued Axelrod, CBS News spoke to more than two dozen local SPCAs across thecountry. Just us. Posting the ANIMALS 24-7 filing of IRS Form 990 in our leanest years was an embarrassment. This was started by a man named Henry Bergh, who eventually went by the name of Matthew Bershadker. Matthew Bershadker is president and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the first animal welfare organization in America and a national leader in the rescue and protection of at-risk animals. Harold J. Hovel, author of Helping Animals Means Helping People: From Hunting & Poaching to Climate Change & Nuclear War (2017), is chair of the New York State Humane Association. ASPCApro:What inspires and motivates you as an animal welfare leader? Arrests of alleged animal abusers also tripled, from circa 40-45 per year under the ASPCA to more than 130 under the NYPC. This means Bershadker's pay is more than 6 times the average nonprofit CEO. Their stats show that 1.5 million animals are killed in shelters each year. Darryl Hinton So ironic: https://tedxsantabarbara.com/2020/matthew-bershadker-pets-poverty-and-the-pandemic/ Matthew's ethnicity is Native American, whose political affiliation is currently a registered Democrat; and religious views are listed as unknown. "If the donors feel that there's an urgent need, and they must donate today so that they can meet that urgent need, and the organization isn't exhibiting that urgency, that's again, where a disconnect can cause a problem.". From right: Fred Myer, Eppie Lederer (Ann Landers), Cleveland Amory, Ann Cottrell Free, & Henry Spira. Unbelievable that some of these folks make more money than the President of the United States. Twitter/Insta: @tortoiserescue @worldturtleday. Its this string of thought that keeps pharma from curing disease and non-renewable energy monopolies in play. I live in Concord, California, in a neighborhood called concord Northwood. I have tremendous respect for the truth and for those who see it and tell it like it is! Matt continues to lead the ASPCA on a variety of other critical animal welfare fronts, including field rescue and care for natural disaster and large-case animal cruelty and animal fighting victims; the establishment of community veterinary clinics in Miami and New York City that provide accessible and affordable services; advocating for stronger state and federal legal protections; helping vulnerable U.S. horses find safe homes and careers; and fighting widespread farm animal cruelty through legislation, industry influence, and consumer advocacy and food label education. When everyone in the community is working together and focused on keeping people and pets together, most animals will hopefully never need a shelter, and those animals who do need sheltering can get targeted help and resources, including medical care and behavioral rehabilitation. Seems far better to donate to local organizations and other large organizations that are verified to spend most of the money helping animals. More and more animal control agencies understand and embrace the idea that keeping pets safely at home and out of shelters is a primary goal. Mr. Bershadker is a 12-year veteran of the ASPCA, serving most recently as Senior Vice President of the Anti-Cruelty Group (ACG). The ASPCA provides educational services for animal owners, animal health services, anti-cruelty campaigns, community outreach . Only program verification can distinguish between actual public education and fundraising/image building that is claimed as public education while having little or no actual educational value. I think it has risen dramatically in the past decade, but dont have complete information. CEO of HSUS earns about $400,000 and no others much over $200,000. It behooves potential donors to conduct their due diligence before deciding where to contribute. Cattle egrets, in short, tend not to have many friends, even among the most avid bird advocates, despite being a very useful species for their contributions to insect control, and a readily watchable species. One good way to do that is to go onto the Charity websites Charity Watch, Charity Navigator, etc., select the animal charity you are interested in, and look at the ratios of yearly income, yearly expense (outlay), and the ratios of how much goes to salaries, how much to fundraising and administrative expenses, and how much to the programs for animals that are the reason for their existence. Ive had several adopted dogs since, including my current pair: five-year-old Tarzan from a rescue in Texas, and three-year-old Loki, a service dog dropout from Missouri. News on dogs, cats, horses, wildlife, zoonoses, & nature, Beth and Merritt with our friends(Beth Clifton collage). Text STOP to opt-out, HELP for more info. (Beth Clifton collage). Mr. Bershadker serves on the board of the Gruber Family Foundation and Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. Thomas Sewid encouraged it. I am fine with a founder getting a fair salary. GEE, I wonder why? Board Member. CBS News found something else that donors might not be expecting. In recognition of the ASPCA's 155th anniversary and the 20th work anniversary of our President and CEO, Matt Bershadker, we checked in with Matt to hear how he got involved in animal welfare and his thoughts on where the field is headed. For 2019, when the ASPCA claimed assets of $393 million, Bershadker was paid $762,996, but that was not the slight cut it appeared to be at a glance because Bershadker also collected $80,543 in benefits. It is not because of anything Matthew Bershadker did, nor because of anything his predecessors did, nor because of anything his counterparts at the other big national animal charities didcertainly not by themselves. I cannot send money to a humane organization that pays their CEO that kind of money but cannot respond to a critical animal abuse report! Find Matt Bershadker's accurate email address and contact/phone number in Adapt.io. I know this is very expensive, especially national TV, and they do a lot of it. Matthew's relationship status is single. WOW, what a salary! It is also what now provides the economic foundation for all of the multi-million-dollar organizations and multitude of overpaid executives, who have successfully capitalized on what was once just a small cause among many, and have turned it into a growth industry. At the age of years, Matthew E. Bershadker weight not available right now. I give every month to the ASPCA and the Humane Society but these so called CEOs and directors need to be fired ASAP. https://www.animals24-7.org/2015/08/29/how-to-be-great-at-doing-good-why-results-are-what-count-and-how-smart-charity-can-change-the-world/. The focal issue, that the ASPCA not only competes with local organizations for funds but also misleads donors into believing it supports the locals, has come up many times before. A few had received grants worth a few thousand dollarsfrom the ASPCA, which they had applied for. Foster families across the country opened their homes and their hearts to provide temporary care and attention to tens of thousands of dogs, cats, and horses to help their local shelters and rescues cope with reductions in staffing and volunteer levels. ASNA, in particular, has been a national leader in high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgery since 2004, with training programs available for veterinary students, licensed veterinarians, and medical teams. The 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization was based in New York, New York. No answer and no reply. The importance of shelter medicine cant be understated. 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