Anti-Cruelty Society, The (SPCA of Illinois)

The Anti-Cruelty Society exists to prevent cruelty to animals and to advance humane education. The Anti-Cruelty Society's Policy Statement

Companion Animals
The Anti-Cruelty Society believes that since companion animals provide people with joy, recognized health benefits, and friendship, and are completely dependent on human care, all members of the household should carefully and in full agreement decide to adopt an animal. Ownership carries the responsi­bility of meeting the physical and social needs of the animal including food, shelter, safety, veterinary care and companionship. We strongly encourage the identification of all pets through collars with tags, and particularly recommend permanent identification methods (i.e. microchips, tattoos). The owner should be familiar with and follow the existing laws relating to animals such as licensing, leash regulation, rabies vaccination and waste disposal. All animals should be under proper restraint or control at all times. We discourage the subjection of animals to cosmetic surgery unrelated to their health and well-being.

Service Animals
The Anti-Cruelty Society recognizes that certain companion animals can assist special-needs individuals lead more independent lives by helping to perform everyday tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible for these individuals. Service animals have been shown to greatly assist people who have physical, visual, or hearing limitations. We feel that it is important that during training, and subsequent placement, that the service animal’s physical, medical, and behavioral needs are always considered and humanely met. We support the use of positive reinforcement training for the teaching of tasks to service animals.

Education and Training
The Anti-Cruelty Society is deeply committed to humane education programs, especially in the primary and secondary schools. Such training should be an integral part of study programs.

The Anti-Cruelty Society continues to support initiatives and dialog aimed at reducing violence and abuse in all of its forms. We recognize the distinct connection between human and animal violence, and believe that by increasing awareness of this link through humane education, we can help more effectively address the violence issues that face society and our animals.

Experimentation or dissection with live or dead animals should not be a part of the curriculum in elementary or secondary schools. Alternative methods should be encouraged at all levels of education.

Keeping live animals in schools as pets should be limited by the availability of responsible super­vision, proper care and facilities.

We support zoos that encourage education and an interest in animals. Sanitary conditions and adequate habitats must be provided.

Dog training allows animal owners to learn about the behavior of their pet and how to positively affect changes. We recommend basic obedience training for dogs that is based on positive reinforcement rather than by physical punishment, such as striking, choking, etc.

Spay/Neuter
The Anti-Cruelty Society believes that spaying and neutering are the most effective ways of overcoming the companion animal overpopulation crisis. Mandatory spay/neuter procedures are supported within the Society and in cooperation with the State of Illinois , other humane societies and veterinarians.

Euthanasia


The Anti-Cruelty Society remains an open-admissions shelter and we accept all animals that we are legally permitted to hold. While The Anti-Cruelty Society energetically promotes the adoption of shelter residents, we believe that not all animals are adoptable due to health status, age or dangerous behavior. Therefore, The Anti-Cruelty Society may administer euthanasia in accordance with an owner’s wish, and to prevent further animal suffering. The Anti-Cruelty Society strongly supports the use of the most humane methods available for the intended species. Euthanasia by injection, attended to by trained personnel, is currently recommended for all companion animals.

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