Adoption and Rescue Information > SPCA Interview > Part 1 - Meet Beth and Learn about the SPCA
This article is the first in a six part series on what the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) does for all types of animals in Monterey County, California. Through this series, I hope to show you how to be the "eyes and ears" to be able to help animals in need, wherever you are. By doing so, you may just save an animal's life or rescue it from another day in misery.I met Beth Brookhouser, Director of Community Outreach for the Monterey County (California) SPCA through my Twitter page. This interview will cover what an SPCA is, what they do, how they help animals and teach "regular people" (i.e. you) how learn to spot and report animal neglect and abuse. Finally, we will wrap it up with a before-and-after photo gallery of some memorable cases handled at the Monterey County SPCA.
Question: What types of animals does your organization respond to?
Beth's Answer: The SPCA for Monterey County rescues all animals in need. Formed in 1905 to address the problems of "stray dogs and cats about town" as well as to discuss the "different diseases prevalent among horses" and to "investigate the abuse and fast driving of donkeys and horses," we have a long and rich history of helping people and animals in Monterey County.
The SPCA’s doors are open to all animals. We rescue and adopt out dogs, cats, exotics, horses, barn animals, and small animals. In addition, we operate the only full-service Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Monterey County, rescuing thousands of injured and orphaned wild animals every year.
SPCA Humane Officers respond to over 1,000 cases of reported animal neglect and cruelty each year. Although not tax-payer supported, SPCA Humane Officers are trained and sworn to exercise the powers of a peace officer to prevent acts of neglect and cruelty to animals by enforcing all California State laws and applicable ordinances local to Monterey County. They definitely see it all, from deliberate cruelty to unintentional neglect and everything in between. About 90% of the cases they see are resolved through education and teaching people how to properly care for their animals. (Emphasis mine.) When cases are more egregious, our Humane Officers are empowered to investigate, prepare and submit cases to the Monterey County Office of the District Attorney for prosecution. We have a 100% success rate on our prosecutions.
One thing people should also know is that all SPCA’s and Humane Societies are independent. This is important to understand because higher-profile organizations like the ASPCA aren’t the ones to call to report cruelty in your neighborhood (unless you live in New York City). It is also important because if the SPCA in your hometown didn’t have Humane Officers, you shouldn’t assume that the SPCA in your current town doesn’t either. All Humane Societies are independent and are not chapters of each other, so please call and ask them what services they offer. Services can vary widely from one organization to another. It will help keep you calm to know in advance exactly who to call when you witness animal cruelty or neglect. Learn more here: What's In A Name?.
Photo: Beth Brookhouser with her dog Paonia. From Beth: "We adopted Paonia from a shelter in Tahoe in 2000. We think she’s a Lab/Aussie mix. She lives for tennis balls, swimming, and cuddling on the bed at night. She was born with a huge underbite which hasn’t effected her eating, but definitely makes for some amusing facial expressions. Love that dog!"
You can find Beth on Twitter here @bbrookhouser and here @animalrescuers.
Thank you, Beth for doing this interview. Part two of this interview covers what the SPCA does when they have an animal in need of veterinary care.
Adoption and Rescue Information > SPCA Interview > Part 1 - Meet Beth and Learn about the SPCA
