How To: Report Animal Cruelty

Why you should report animal cruelty…

The ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement department finds out about most instances of animal abuse through phone calls from concerned citizens who witness cruelty in their neighborhoods. If you don’t report crimes, the animals will continue to be harmed.

Remember, anonymous reports are investigated with just as much attention, so don't be afraid to voice a concern without giving your name.

How you can report animal cruelty

In New York City

To report animal cruelty, contact the ASPCA at enforcement@aspca.org or (212) 876-7700, ext. 4450.

In New Jersey

In NJ, contact the NJSPCA at (800) 582-5979

Outside NYC

You will need to find out the name of the persons in your area who are responsible for investigating and enforcing the anti-cruelty codes in your town, county and/or state. These people typically work for your local humane organization, animal control agency, taxpayer-funded animal shelter or police precinct.

To find out what agencies are authorized to investigate and arrest instances of animal cruelty in your state (i.e, does the enforcement of animal cruelty laws fall under the authority of the police department or animal control officers?), visit ASPCA’s state-by-state list of state anti-cruelty investigatory-arrest powers.

If you run into trouble finding the correct agency to contact, you may wish to call or visit your local police department and ask for their help in enforcing the law. Similarly, you can ask at your local shelter or animal control agency for help. To find contact information for your local shelter, check the yellow pages or visit the ASPCA’s searchable database of nearly 5,000 community SPCAs, humane societies and animal control organizations.

Tips for Reporting Animal Cruelty

  • Write down what you observed, give dates and times when possible.
  • Take pictures of the animals in question, but do not put yourself in danger.
  • Do not enter someone’s property without their permission.
  • If you can, provide the names and contact information of other people who have firsthand information about the abusive situation.

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Comments

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bbabygirll3 says:
 

i realy hate seeing animals that are being abused all over the world and people just stand there and watch. What has our society become why are people letting these people abuse these animls? WHY ARNT WE DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT?

 
curlyfry101 says:
 

ive read how people can hurt animals. its not rite. in one article this guy tied his dog to a chain and flung it around and then slpaed it down to the ground. i dont understand why people can do this to animals. i am an animal lover and always will.

 
Guardiann says:
 

EVERYBODY! IF YOU CAN'T FIND THE PHONE NUMBER FOR THE ASPCA IN YOUR AREA, USE 411. I DID, AND IT SAVED LIVES - 6, TO BE EXACT...