A Timeline
June 1821
Jeremy Bentham was one of the first people recorded to speak out against animal cruelty
1824
The SPCA in Great Britain was formed by Richard Martin, William Wilberforce, and Arthur Broome. Later named the RSPCA, it became an inspiration for the ASPCA
April 1835
The Cruelty to Animals Act was created in the U.K.; it was a one of the first pieces of legislation created
June 1865
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was created by Henry Bergh.
March 1881
The "Bands of Mercy" organization was created in order to inform young children of animal abuse
January 1925
The Animals Protection Act was created in order to benefit all animals not just regular household pets. It provided protection from birds to farm animals
1954
The Humane Society of America is formed. It is one of the largest animal activist groups in the United States, and works to create legislation and education for animal rights.
August 1966
The Animal Welfare Act was created in 1966. This act regulated the transportation and handling of small animals that were being used for testing purposes
October 1976
The Animal Liberal Front was created
1979
The Animal Legal Defense Fund is formed. They work to protect animals by providing free legal services to animal cruelty cases as well as creating new laws and enforcing existing laws.
March-aug 1980
PETA was created
Dec 1985
The Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act was put in place to provide regulations for lab animals. It makes the lab scientists walk their animals, provide large living spaces, and it says that their pain needs to be extremely minimal
1995
HB 3377 is passed in Oregon. This bill makes certain acts of animal cruelty a felony in the state of Oregon. District Attorney Joshua Marquis said at the time that, “the 1995 Oregon law as the toughest animal cruelty law in the United States at the time of its passage.”
Jeremy Bentham was one of the first people recorded to speak out against animal cruelty
1824
The SPCA in Great Britain was formed by Richard Martin, William Wilberforce, and Arthur Broome. Later named the RSPCA, it became an inspiration for the ASPCA
April 1835
The Cruelty to Animals Act was created in the U.K.; it was a one of the first pieces of legislation created
June 1865
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was created by Henry Bergh.
March 1881
The "Bands of Mercy" organization was created in order to inform young children of animal abuse
January 1925
The Animals Protection Act was created in order to benefit all animals not just regular household pets. It provided protection from birds to farm animals
1954
The Humane Society of America is formed. It is one of the largest animal activist groups in the United States, and works to create legislation and education for animal rights.
August 1966
The Animal Welfare Act was created in 1966. This act regulated the transportation and handling of small animals that were being used for testing purposes
October 1976
The Animal Liberal Front was created
1979
The Animal Legal Defense Fund is formed. They work to protect animals by providing free legal services to animal cruelty cases as well as creating new laws and enforcing existing laws.
March-aug 1980
PETA was created
Dec 1985
The Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act was put in place to provide regulations for lab animals. It makes the lab scientists walk their animals, provide large living spaces, and it says that their pain needs to be extremely minimal
1995
HB 3377 is passed in Oregon. This bill makes certain acts of animal cruelty a felony in the state of Oregon. District Attorney Joshua Marquis said at the time that, “the 1995 Oregon law as the toughest animal cruelty law in the United States at the time of its passage.”
For more information on The history of Animal Abuse, refer to these websites (Or your nearest history book, I bet you'll find something)
ASPCA
This cited timeline
Oregon's legal history
ASPCA
This cited timeline
Oregon's legal history