That is thievery no matter how you look at it. Matthew Bershadker is the President & Chief Executive Officer at ASPCA based in New York City, New York. "I wish that they could do some soul searching within the organization and understand that their massive efforts to draw support from around the country to support their own efforts and the issues that they wish to focus on, does hinder the ability for local organizations like ourselves to do the good work that we do. "We receive no money from them at all.". As of 2016, the ASPCA was founded in 1866 by Henry Bergh. Nonprofit watchdog Charity Navigator gives the ASPCA three out of four stars overall, which is a "good" rating meaning that the charity meets or exceeds industry standards and performs as well or better than most charities in that cause. 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.. ASPCApro: Have you seen similar changes in animal shelters? Matthew E. Bershadker, better known by her family name Matthew E. Bershadker, is a popular American President and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). slaughterhouses?). Most, like in Nassau County and Houston, had gotten nothing. Seven other ASPCA executives received compensation ranging from more than $300,000 to more than $400,000, in the pay range of the chief executives of the four other most affluent U.S. humane societies. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The article, although not critical of the ASPCA, does note how high the groups revenue went through the roof when they started airing the McLachlan ads. Coming from a background in finance, Bershadker previously served as the ASPCA vice president for development, meaning he was a fundraiser, and then for a time was senior vice president of anti-cruelty programs, back before the ASPCA returned responsibility for doing anti-cruelty law enforcementthe first and oldest ASPCA missionto the New York City police department. Watch Live: Closing arguments begin in double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Watch Live: Garland testifies amid ongoing special counsel investigations, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students. Most recently, the ASPCA assisted federal and state authorities in the removal of nearly 100 dogs from a multi-state dog fighting ring. It looks like they could save them all by themselves. Arrests of alleged animal abusers also tripled, from circa 40-45 per year under the ASPCA to more than 130 under the NYPC. Matthew Bershadker is known for Today (1952) and Good Morning America Weekend Edition (1993). Matt: My inspiration comes from the animals and the dedicated animal welfare professionals and volunteers who work tirelessly to protect them. Board issue, no blame for CEO. Previously, Matthew was the Board Member at Gruber Family Foundation and also held positions at GFAS, Share Our Strength, RAINN. Get Access to Matt's Email Address & Phone Number. The founder, however, paid herself $72,000 a year, plus $36,000 a year to rent her property. Any characterization that suggests all of our work is not in service of our mission is wrong and an injustice to our staff, donors, the organizations we partner with, and the animals we serve. And leadership does not have to take a vow of poverty. Their breakdown showed that about 41 cents of each dollar donated to the ASPCA goes toward hands-on help withanimals across the country.. What Axelrod did not mention is that Bershadkers tenure as president began by turning over the original and most iconic ASPCA mission, doing humane law enforcement in New York City, to the city police department. Matt: Veterinarians play an enormous role in the health of animals in their communitiesnot just with their traditional clientele, but also with homeless animals, animal victims of cruelty, and animals whose owners are experiencing financial challenges. There are plenty of good, small time organizations, the kind that are still in the movement phase and that cant afford any slick PR campaigns or TV commercials ones like SHARK, UPC, Center for Biological Diversity, local wildlife rehabilitators and this publication for example. They seem to exist almost exclusively for promoting pit bulls. The National Advertising Division, however, recommended that ASPCA modify its website to more clearly explain that the organization is not directly affiliated with local SPCAS or local humane associations, a National Advertising Division media release said. I was surprised to find the shelter overburdened by the challenges of caring for so many animals. The importance of shelter medicine cant be understated. The ASPCA under Bershadker has expanded some aspects of program service, with some success, for example taking over the former Humane Alliance national spay/neuter education outreach program in Asheville, North Carolina, operating it as a subsidiary. (Beth Clifton collage). SO TO THE PUBLIC STOP DONATING MONEY TO THESE SO CALLED ANIMAL LOVERS. In that partnership, the NYPD leads in responding to all animal cruelty complaints in the five boroughs, while the ASPCA provides direct care for animal cruelty victims and assists law enforcement officials with forensics work and prosecutions. We guarantee we will continue make the best possible use of every $8.00, $80, $800, or $8,000 that you send us. Donor ignorance, not mendacity of the two national orgs, is the problemif there is a problem, which I dont think there is. Bless your organization. In its commercials, the ASPCA implores animal lovers saying, "We urgently need 3,000 new donors so we can rescue more animals who are still out there suffering." [2] He holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School [3] and a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Ohio University. For that eight bucks a month, or whatever you can afford, you expect hard work, dedication, and performance on a multitude of fronts: on behalf of wildlife, farmed animals, dogs and cats, horses, animals in laboratories, marine mammals, and the list could go on for quite a while. In 2020, under Matts leadership, the ASPCA launched a series of programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on pets, owners, and communities. I am fine with a founder getting a fair salary. And Matt Bershadker has perhaps the most mediocre record on actual behalf of animals of any ASPCA president in more than four decades. Bershadker ascended to the ASPCA presidency on June 1, 2013, the first ASPCA president since Sydney H. Coleman, president from 1930 until his death in 1951, to have worked for the ASPCA in any capacity before being put in charge. A housing crisis resulting from the pandemic is also a significant threat to animals. Throughout his leadership, Matt has set the strategy for the organization and overseen the development and execution of innovative programs that impact thousands of lives and drive compassionate systemic change for animals in need. CBS News found something else that donors might not be expecting. 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. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. 2020 990 form shows revenue of about 325 million and revenue minus expenses of 57 million, which is 17.5%. How zombies from hell ate animal protection, by Steve Hindi, New York Police Department eclipses ASPCA humane law enforcement stats in first full year on the beat. Text STOP to opt-out, HELP for more info. Those line level staff are the reason for the success of the organization and the reason that so many donate what they can to care for those cats and dogs who are suffering and in such need. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. Mr. Bershadker is a 12-year veteran of the ASPCA, serving most recently as Senior Vice President of the Anti-Cruelty Group (ACG). Ive never donated to the ASPCA because I felt management was way too handsomely compensated, but when they solicited my support around the same time as that transport debacle, I emailed them asking for an explanation of the circumstances as a pending donor and heard NOTHING back. 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. 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. We named it after Julie Morris, a longtime ASPCA leader and iconic figure in animal sheltering who passed away in 2019. The same filing reveals that the "non-profit" took in $279 million in revenue in 2019, and had an operating income of $28.4 million, a robust profit margin of more than 10%. But during that same time period it spent nearly three times that, at least $421 million, on fundraising., According to the nonprofits tax returns, the ASPCA took in nearly $280 million in 2019, Axelrod detailed. Among the earliest voices in what came together as the animal rights movement more than 40 years ago were journalists scattered around the U.S. and the world who as concerned and sympathetic individuals, working in isolation, fought with editors for the page space in which to report the news about what was happening to animals. Explained State Humane Association of California executive director Erica Gaudet Hughes when the 2011 case was filed, The complaint alleges that ASPCA capitalizes on, and intentionally reinforces, the widely held mistaken belief that it is a parent or umbrella organization to the thousands of humane societies and SPCAs across the country. (See Why is the ASPCA stonewalling about the deaths of 20 dogs in transport? Contrast this to a Charity Navigator study that showed the average non-profit CEO's compensation is $123,000. A year later, at the end of 2018, the ASPCA claimed $283 million in assets. Matt: The animals Ive known throughout my life have played an influential role in who I am, how I view the world, and how I lead the ASPCA. In that time, it has spent $146 million, or about 7% of the total money raised, in grants to local animal welfare groups. See Humane Society of the U.S. & codefendants pay Ringling Bros. circus $15.75 million and Charity Navigator issues donor advisory about HSUS & coplaintiffs $15.7 million settlement with Ringling. Since 2008, the ASPCA has raised more than $2 billion for animal welfare, Axelrod summarized. Also learn about how he is rich at the age of 49 years old? 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. I would wager a guess that there are plenty of individuals who could, likewise, do the same level of work while earning a lot less. Alleging unfair and deceptive fundraising practices which harm local humane societies and SPCAs, the State Humane Association of California in May 2011 filed a consumer protection complaint against the ASPCA with the California Office of the Attorney General, then headed by current U.S. vice president Kamala Harris. As documented in our latest available filings and audited financial statements, 77 cents of every dollar reported as an expenditure on the ASPCA's 2019 Form 990 advances the ASPCA's mission through lifesaving programs and services around the country. Rick Berman at Animal Watch has campaigned against HSUS on these grounds for years. The term SPCA is generic. Then I founded and for 22 years edited a newspaper that took the message globaland, along the way, reached thousands of fellow journalists in hundreds of newsrooms, inspiring many of them to begin doing serious coverage of animal issues too. Animal abuse complaints in most communities must be made to either the county sheriffs office or the municipal animal control agency. Theyre also looking at new ways to help financially challenged pet owners in their communities care for and keep their animals. According to a Charity Navigator study, the average nonprofit CEO's pay is $123,000. Did ASPCA discover certifying SAFER dog screening might be dangerous? How many people did it take to equal the amount of money this man was paid ????. The ASPCA says the vast majority of donor dollars go directlytoward its mission, Axelroad intoned, but a CBS News investigation found there arequestions about whether the money is going where donors expect.. ASPCApro: Do you think the challenges weve seen from the pandemic will affect the future practice of animal sheltering? Yes! You might also have seen our IRS Form 990 filings, posted annually. The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, among the largest in California, founded in 1950, is not a member of the State Humane Association of California, but joined the case against the ASPCA as a co-plaintiff. Before joining the ASPCA in 2001, Matt worked for ICF Consulting and organizations including Share Our Strength. I try to re-home horses when I can afford to keeping them from slaughter. Facebook: American Tortoise Rescue and World Turtle Day It shows that of the 268 million expenses, 55 million was for fundraising, 17.5%. 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. Matthew E. Bershadker was named president and CEO of American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in May 2013[1] and serves on the Global Animal Partnership's Board of Directors. Last season there were hundreds of them smashed all over the road. ASPCApro:What inspires and motivates you as an animal welfare leader? Matt 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. In that time, it has spent $146 million, or about 7% of the total money raised, in grants to local animal welfare groups. In 2014, he partnered with the New York City Police Department and established a program . He is a 12-year veteran of the nation's first animal welfare organization, serving most recently as senior vice president of the ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Group, the division responsible for programs and initiatives that confront animal cruelty and suffering on all levels across the country. That's more than the CEO's of Feeding America and the American Red Cross, charities that have a budget 10 times the size of the ASPCA. According to tax returns, ASPCA CEO Matthew Bershadker received $852,231 in 2019 and the ASPCA had over $20 million in offshore accounts! Are animal charity donors at risk from the Blackbaud data security breach? Discover Matthew E. Bershadkers Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. How the ASPCA cooked 26 dogs in a truck: source comes forward, ASPCA and the Humane Alliance move toward merger, COVID-19: India feeds stray dogs; ASPCA says dont fix them, Fundraising turf war brings California groups complaint against the ASPCA. They should at least spend all the revenue they take in. This means Bershadker's pay is more than 6 times the average nonprofit CEO. Find Matt Bershadker's accurate email address and contact/phone number in Adapt.io. Twitter/Insta: @tortoiserescue @worldturtleday. Weve also seen a 65% increase in equine fosters across the country. Matthew E. wiki profile will be updated soon as we collect Matthew E. Bershadkers Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. Muckrake (n): synonym for crusading journalist. All of our work, including collaborations with local animal welfare organizations, rescue groups, law enforcement agencies, policy makers, and many others, is aimed at rescuing, protecting, and caring for animals in need. Those images stayed with me. According to the newly released tax returns, ASPCA CEO Matthew Bershadker received about $770,000 in compensation in 2018. Included in the multi-pronged effort is a fully-subsidized spay/neuter facility in South Los Angeles, operated by the ASPCA. "In our minds, the more money we could raise, the more animals we could help. Privacy Policy Legal Info, Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company. "We need our donors and the people in our community to know where their money is going.". Held live in . But the ASPCA adoption transport program operates at a fraction of the scale of the North Shore Animal League adoption transport program, begun in 1971, and the PetSmart Charities transport program, which ran from 2004 to 2016. 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