Animal rights are a serious and controversial issue in America. Some people believe animal rights organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) go too far in their reaction to animal abuse, neglect, and living conditions. Other organizations are more involved in saving and rescuing neglected, abandoned, and unwanted animals and relocating them to loving and caring homes. The problem of neglected, abandoned, and abused pets is one facet of the animal rights movement that more and more Americans are becoming aware of. For example, just in New York City in 2003, nearly 10,000 pets were treated by only one agency, the ASPCA (ASPCA). These numbers only represent one agency in one city, so the combined numbers around the country must be staggering. These pets need shelter, food, health care, and new homes, and numerous agencies around the country offer services that rescue, rehabilitate, adopt, and neuter animals in the community. .

             One of these national organizations is the ASPCA, whose Web Site states their mission is, "to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States" (ASPCA). Founded in 1866, the agency's headquarters is in New York City, but they have offices and animal shelters across the United States that offer homeless animals for adoption, and they also participate with PetSmart in many communities, offering their animals for adoption at PetSmart stores. These shelters do much more than simply rescue and adopt animals, even though that is what most Americans think of when they think of these types of rescue organizations. The ASPCA also promotes animal health, animal sterilization, animal safety, and investigation of animal cruelty. To reach Americans, they use a wide variety of methods and tactics, from their Web Site to local shelters and campaigns, to a nationwide television series called "Animal Precinct," broadcast on the cable Animal Planet network.