132nd Anniversary Nears for American Humane A...( Conditions Much Improved Since It Be...),Health

Conditions Much Improved Since It Began Oct. 9, 1877

DENVER, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One-hundred thirty-two years ago this coming Friday (on Oct. 9, 1877), children were often toiling at hard labor in filthy sweatshops instead of going to school, and when they could play, they were forced into the bustling streets or garbage-strewn alleys instead of onto safe playgrounds. Work horses - often beaten mercilessly and nearly starved or dehydrated - were forced to work 20-hour days. "Pet" dogs and cats didn't fare much better, and livestock handling was brutal.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070521/LAM095LOGO)

There was little or no protection for children and animals those days. That situation stirred a group of representatives from 27 different local humane organizations (some for animals and some for children), including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), to band together in Cleveland, Ohio, to form the American Humane Association as a national voice for the voiceless.

Now, 132 years later, American Humane remains that national voice of compassion and care, with an unmatched legacy of success in advancing humanity and society's view and care of both children and animals. Headquartered in Denver since 1954, American Humane proudly continues its mission of protecting children and animals, as well as being the leading mainstream, reasoned organization in the field.

Since its founding on Oct. 9, 1877, American Humane (called the International Humane Society until 1884) has led many improvements for the greater good. Here are just a few of hundreds:

1877 - First on its agenda was addressing the humane treatment of working animals and livestock in transit.

1879 - American Humane passed a resolution to promote humane education i
'/>"/>