ACOs – Barking at the Knot

Number of Dogs Removed: 201

The history of intakes as a measure of a shelter’s success continues to influence the way we perceive the most important functions of animal services.

Audrey Lodato

October 22, 2025

1900s, Animal Welfare

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Pussy Must Be Tagged; The S.P.C.A. Now Collects Dog Licenses

In 1895 as part of the transition to a public-private partnership to take on animal control, the ASPCA began enforcing the new dog licensing laws in New York City. Understanding why it happened is crucial to understanding why we still do it.

Audrey Lodato

September 18, 2025

1890s, Animal Welfare

ACOs, animal control, animal control officers, animal services, Animal sheltering, animal shelters, Animal Welfare, animal welfare history, animals, Cats, dog, Dog licenses, dog pounds, dogs, history, hydrophobia, licenses, new york, New York City, pets, Pounds, Rabies, Stray dogs, strays, the humane movement
How the Early Humane Movement Set a Precedent For Killing Animals

Today, I am bringing you a brief article from the January 1915 edition of The National Humane Review, which was the monthly periodical of the American Humane Association. I recently attended a gathering where someone asked why killing animals in shelters continues to be an acceptable solution for population control. I answered that question by…

Audrey Lodato

June 30, 2025

Animal Welfare

ACOs, animal control, animal shelter, Animal Welfare, animals, dog catcher, dogs, Euthanasia, history, municipal shelter, pound, Rabies

Number of Dogs Removed: 201

Pussy Must Be Tagged; The S.P.C.A. Now Collects Dog Licenses

How the Early Humane Movement Set a Precedent For Killing Animals