Amid Questions About ASPCA Spending, Maryland Group Stresses Its Independence

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The 2 groups stock 4 letters, but they are not affiliated.

A CBS News investigation showed conscionable wherever those nationalist ASPCA donations go.

READ MORE: ASPCA spending whitethorn not beryllium what donors expect, CBS News probe finds

The commercialized run is memorable for its heartbreaking images and telephone for donations. Singer Sarah McLachlan asks, “Will you beryllium an angel for a helpless animal?”

After debuting the ads much than a decennary ago, the ASPCA’s revenues tripled and unit doubled.

These resources are not being felt astatine SPCAs crossed the country. Groups similar the Maryland SPCA are not affiliated with the nationalist organization.

“Every year, we person to reply the question and to clarify we are an autarkic organization,” said Jim Peirce, enforcement manager of the Maryland SPCA.

That means nary wealth from the ASPCA to attraction for the 3,000 different animals that travel done the Maryland shelter.

The CBS News probe revealed astir 40% of donations to the ASPCA spell toward hands-on assistance with animals.

A fewer section SPCAs received grants worthy a fewer 1000 dollars from the ASPCA, grants they had to use for. Most, similar Maryland’s, who applied for the past 2 years, got nothing.

Of the $2 cardinal it raised since 2008, the ASPCA gave $146 million, oregon 7%, of the full wealth raised to subordinate groups.

But during the aforesaid clip period, CBS News recovered it spent astir 3 times that – astatine slightest $421 cardinal – connected fundraising.

The CBS News probe showed that successful 2019, ASCPCA’s main enforcement serviceman made much than $840,000.

That has local, unaffiliated shelters reminding donors their wealth tin enactment section and spell further.

“When you springiness to the Maryland SPCA, you are giving to pets and radical successful the assemblage present successful your neighborhood,” Peirce said.

The ASPCA told CBS News successful part, “Any characterization that suggests each of our enactment is not successful work of our ngo is incorrect and an injustice to our staff, donors, the organizations we spouse with, and the animals we serve.”

Of course, astir charities walk wealth to rise money.

The nonprofit watchdog Charity Navigator gives the ASPCA 2 retired of 4 stars connected financials, spending astir 23 percent connected fundraising and management.

The Maryland SPCA, wide and connected finances, earns 3 retired of 4 stars.

Paul Gessler