Pennsylvania SPCA Celebrates 150th Anniversary
By John McDevitt, Vittoria Woodill
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Hooray for the Pennsylvania SPCA! On Wednesday, at their headquarters in Hunting Park, they celebrated 150 years of caring for our cuddley friends with a birthday bash, treats included.
The dogs and cats at the PSPCA were enjoying pup-cakes and catnip. And don't forget the hats! Decked out and decorated we're not only dogs, but the do gooders, volunteers, and pet lovers that have kept this organization going for over a century.
The PSPCA is the second oldest animal welfare organization in the country -- founded June 21, 1867.
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Its CEO is Julie Klim, who says the society was originally formed to help horses.
"There was Philadelphia businessman who had an office over at 3rd and Chestnut [Streets], and would look over the square and would watch horses being abused and not taken care of, and there were no laws to enforce all of that cruelty, and he decided to do something about it," Klim said. "So he gathered other businessmen and wealthy folks at the time and created the society."
For Klim, it was hard to choose just one word to describe the five letters -- PSPCA -- standing for the organization that still leaves no pet behind.
"Service, prevention, joy, happiness," she said. "You can pick any one of those words."
To commemorate the organization's 150th year, the public is invited to share their rescue stories. They'll be featured on social media.
More information is available at the PSPCA website.