--- title: "ASPCA Expands Reach in NYC With NYPD’s Help" id: "19145" type: "post" slug: "aspca-expands-reach-in-nyc-with-nypds-help" published_at: "2013-08-23T19:14:29+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T19:01:24+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/08/23/aspca-expands-reach-in-nyc-with-nypds-help/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/08/23/aspca-expands-reach-in-nyc-with-nypds-help.md" excerpt: "For the past 147 years, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals responded to animal cruelty complaints in New York City. Now, a partnership with the NYPD will help , they’ll have a little help in completing..." taxonomy_category: - "Advocacy" taxonomy_post_tag: - "animal cruelty" - "animal welfare" - "AssociationsNow" - "Leadership" - "partnerships" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » ASPCA Expands Reach in NYC With NYPD’s Help For generations, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been the go-to organization to report animal abuse in New York City. (In fact, [that’s where the nationwide organization (opens in a new tab)](http://www.aspca.org/about-us/about-the-aspca/history-aspca) was founded in 1866.) But starting next month, the ASPCA’s role in handling these cases will change, thanks to a new collaboration with the New York Police Department. More details below: **Why the change?** In a *New York Times* report, the association says the reason for the partnership is to speed up response time. While police have always handled animal cruelty complaints called in to 911, the association said it typically investigates about 4,000 such complaints a year. Though the ASPCA has animal-welfare expertise, its 17 enforcement officers were stretched thin. “We were not getting to cases for days or weeks,” [said ASPCA president and CEO Matthew Bershadker (opens in a new tab)](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/22/nyregion/animal-abuse-calls-will-now-go-to-police.html) . “The NYPD’s policy, their practice, is to clear all complaints within eight hours.” **How it’ll work:** Starting September 1, the NYPD will begin handling animal-cruelty cases in the Bronx as a pilot program to test the approach. Meanwhile, the ASPCA will continue to take on cases in the other boroughs. If successful, the program will expand citywide by early 2014. After the transition, the NYPD will respond to complaints and the association will work in a consulting role, which will help broaden the reach of both organizations on animal welfare issues. **The turning point:** This collaboration didn’t happen by accident. Last year, the association and the NYPD worked together on [a case in the Bronx (opens in a new tab)](http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/06/21/bronx-man-accused-of-using-47-pit-bulls-in-basement-dog-fighting-ring/) in which 47 dogs (mostly pit bulls) were seized in the takedown of a dog-fighting ring. Most of the animals had injuries consistent with fighting. In a press release, Bershadker said [the incident showed the partnership’s potential (opens in a new tab)](http://www.newsday.com/business/aspca-and-nypd-establish-groundbreaking-partnership-that-vastly-expands-protections-for-new-york-city-s-animals-1.5933641) . “In this case, the NYPD led the nearly year-long investigation, while the ASPCA provided critical expert knowledge and services so that the investigation and prosecution of the case had the best chance to succeed,” he noted. How have collaborations helped expand your association’s reach? Let us know your take in the comments below. [Ernie Smith](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Tags: [#animal cruelty](https://associationsnow.com/tag/animal-cruelty/) [#animal welfare](https://associationsnow.com/tag/animal-welfare/) [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/) [#partnerships](https://associationsnow.com/tag/partnerships/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoPartnerships that Drive Success: ASAE Strategic Partnership AllianceAugust 26, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/08/26/partnerships-that-drive-success-asae-strategic-partnership-alliance/) - [VideoJose Arana on Discover Puerto Rico’s Partnership with ASAEOctober 3, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/10/03/jose-arana-on-discover-puerto-ricos-partnership-with-asae/) - [VideoKareem Swinton Discusses Visit Baltimore’s Partnership with ASAEOctober 3, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/10/03/kareem-swinton-discusses-visit-baltimores-partnership-with-asae/) - [VideoVirginie De Visscher from Destination Canada on Partnership with ASAE and Leading BoldlySeptember 23, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/09/23/virginie-de-visscher-from-destination-canada-on-partnership-with-asae-and-leading-boldly/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2013%2F08%2F23%2Faspca-expands-reach-in-nyc-with-nypds-help%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !