It’s estimated that one animal is abused every 60 seconds around the world. However, this number could be even higher as much of this abuse goes unreported and unprosecuted. Animal welfare organizations work tirelessly to improve the lives of all animals and raise awareness of the plights they face. So, we had to ask: What is the most important information you need to know about this year’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month?

👉 Official Name: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
💚 Cause: Raise awareness of animal cruelty and take steps to prevent it
📅 Next Date: April 1–30, 2027
🌐 Official Website: https://www.aspca.org/news/april-prevention-cruelty-animals-month
🐦 Hashtag: #FightCruelty #AnimalCrueltyPreventionMonth 

Keep on reading to find out all the important information about Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month at a glance, including its big picture, why it’s important, and how you can get involved. We’ll then share its brief history, three interesting facts about it, its future dates, and how you’ll never miss any important awareness event again.

The Most Important Information About Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month at a Glance

1️⃣ The big picture: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month is an annual event to raise awareness of the abuse faced by animals worldwide and rally support to end animal cruelty for good. During the event, welfare organizations, such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), launch campaigns and educational events to further the animal welfare movement and facilitate a love of all animals. 

2️⃣ Why it is important: In the US alone, an estimated 10 million animals die from abuse, 6.3 million cats and dogs enter animal shelters, and 110 million animals are killed in laboratories every year. In addition, over 78 billion animals are killed for food each year around the world after living in cramped, unhygienic conditions their entire lives. Unfortunately, animal cruelty is rife in all its forms, from animal hoarding to the illegal wildlife trade which is now worth over $20 billion annually.

3️⃣ How you can get involved: You can get involved in Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month by raising awareness of animal cruelty on social media, setting up a fundraising campaign, or volunteering for an animal shelter:

1. Spread the word: Use hashtags like #AnimalCrueltyPreventionMonth or #FightCruelty to spread information, stories, and videos that highlight the cruelty faced by animals on your social media platforms.
2. Fundraise: Create a personal fundraising page through the ASPCA website to raise money that will go toward fighting animal cruelty. 
3. Volunteer: Animal shelters are always on the lookout for additional support in the form of volunteers, fundraisers, and donated items such as blankets and food bowls. So, consider reaching out to your local animal shelter to see how you can offer your assistance. You can even consider adopting an animal in need if you are in the position to do so. 

Below are our favorite charities that are especially relevant for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month:

• Best Charities That Fight to End Animal Cruelty
• Best Charities That Help Abused Animals

A Brief History of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

When was this event established: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month was founded by the ASPCA (Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) in 2006 to raise awareness of animal abuse and promote compassion toward all creatures. 

How has it developed since then: Since its founding, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month has grown significantly to become a worldwide event. Furthermore, the orange ribbon, created in 2003 by the non-profit media animal advocacy group Rational Animal, has become a common symbol for this event, showcasing animal cruelty awareness. Today, multiple organizations also promote the adoption of animals from shelters during this month, instead of buying them from breeders or pet shops. 

3 Interesting Facts About Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

1. Animal cruelty classification: It’s not just physical abuse that’s classed as animal cruelty. It can also be things like a gradual build-up of neglect from leaving a dog outside too long in the cold to starvation and a lack of grooming.
2. Cruelty to humans: A 1997 study found that animal abusers are five times more likely to cause harm to humans, and a 2013 study found that 43% of those who committed school massacres also committed acts of animal cruelty, usually through harming cats or dogs. 
3. The Five Domains: Internationally recognized, the Five Freedoms have been used by animal welfare organizations since the 1990s to measure and improve the well-being of animals. Later, these were updated to the Five Domains and protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to better represent positive animal welfare rather than an absence of negative welfare.

Upcoming Dates of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month is observed every year throughout April.

Never Miss an Awareness Event Again

Sources

• Shelter Animals Count: Animal Abuse Facts and Statistics 2024
• Humane World for Animals: Animal Cruelty Facts and Stats
• ASPCA: April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month!
• ASPCA: Home page
• ASPCA: Pet Statistics
• Plant Based News: How Many Animals Are Killed For Food Everyday?
• Animal Humane Society: Animal hoarding
• Interpol: Illegal wildlife trade has become one of the ‘world’s largest criminal activities’
• ASPCA: Create your own fundraiser
• Impactful Ninja: 9 Best Charities to Adopt a Pet Animal
• Impactful Ninja: 18 Best Charities That Fight to End Animal Cruelty
• Impactful Ninja: 14 Best Charities That Help Abused Animals
• Cat Genie: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
• Wikipedia: Orange ribbon
• Wikipedia: Rational Animal
• Wikipedia: Animal cruelty
• Animal Legal Defense Fund: The Link Between Cruelty to Animals and Violence Toward Humans
• Wikipedia: Five freedoms
• Wildlife and Countryside Link: Moving to the ‘Five Domains’ model for assessing animal welfare
• Legislation.Gov: Animal Welfare Act 2006
• National Library of Medicine: Updating Animal Welfare Thinking