# ASPCA ad: what the hell are they thinking?? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 14, 2005, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspca-ad-what-the-hell-are-they-thinking/326259 "2005-10-14T18:18:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspca-ad-what-the-hell-are-they-thinking/326259/21 "2005-10-14T22:34:59Z")
I don’t know how effective they will be at getting donations, but they’ve got you talking about preventing cruelty to animals, and that’s probably the point. FWIW, the ASPCA is an organization that actually tries to really help animals, as opposed to PETA, whose sole mission appears to be to try to make people feel like shit. I donate to the ASPCA, but when I was in the states, I donated directly to my local chapter, who ran an excellent shelter that I was more than happy to support. That and two of my cats came from there. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspca-ad-what-the-hell-are-they-thinking/326259/22 "2005-10-14T22:40:24Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I think you need to seriously consider the possibility that you might be a moron. Dude, you’re _harsh_! Let me say **fusoya** , that I believe anyone who would be so inclined to light kittens on fire thought about it long before the ASPCA posted those ads. Also, most of the people who would give the ASPCA money would need reminding of what those who are inclined to light up kittens are up to. So you can give them money. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2005, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspca-ad-what-the-hell-are-they-thinking/326259/23 "2005-10-15T00:46:16Z")
About 10 years ago, someone DID try to set one of my cats on fire. He was “educated” on the criminal penalties for such things, and was left with the impression that if my cat so much as even sneezed, I would call the ASPCA and the cops on him. It never happened again. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2005, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspca-ad-what-the-hell-are-they-thinking/326259/24 "2005-10-15T00:56:46Z")
> [@fusoya](#): > > Thanks ASCAP…I was trying to figure out something fun to do tonight, and that idea’s perfect!" No, no, no. That would be file sharing if it were ASCAP. Though the ASPCA may have an issue if you were doing so while lighting kittens on fire. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![party\_store](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@party\_store](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/party_store)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2005, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspca-ad-what-the-hell-are-they-thinking/326259/25 "2005-10-15T18:00:39Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally Posted by duffer_ > No, no, no. That would be file sharing if it were ASCAP. Though the ASPCA may have an issue if you were doing so while lighting kittens on fire. 😃 What does ASPCA think of me sharing kittens over the internet? Will ASCAP get upset if I set MP3s on fire? ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2005, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspca-ad-what-the-hell-are-they-thinking/326259/26 "2005-10-15T18:17:58Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > I’m thinking they wanted people be sad and sick over the thought of duct-taped kittens on fire and then give them money to prevent such things from happening. > But really, do they have Cruelty Police that stops mean little boys from sticking firecrackers up puppies’ butts? The ASPCA in New York has a division within the NYPD, they get their own politce cruisers and everything. I’m not sure they carry a firearm or not though. Erek ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2005, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspca-ad-what-the-hell-are-they-thinking/326259/27 "2005-10-15T19:08:57Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > > [@fusoya](#): > > > > Thanks ASCAP…I was trying to figure out something fun to do tonight, and that idea’s perfect!" > > No, no, no. That would be file sharing if it were ASCAP. Though the ASPCA may have an issue if you were doing so while lighting kittens on fire. 😃 After reading the OP, I’m wondering what the hell the [Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants](http://ascpa.org) has to do with all this. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2005, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspca-ad-what-the-hell-are-they-thinking/326259/28 "2005-10-15T19:40:44Z")
The ASCPA? That’re some scary mo-fos! ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2005, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspca-ad-what-the-hell-are-they-thinking/326259/29 "2005-10-15T21:04:09Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > The ASPCA in New York has a division within the NYPD, they get their own police cruisers and everything. _Shhhh!_ If NBC gets wind of this, we’ll have another _Law & Order_ spin-off: _ **Law & Order: ACU** _ (Tuesday, 8:00CMT) RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES: Officers Blanco and Lubovich investigate a case involving a man accused of dragging his private-school daughters’ “reward pony” behind his SUV for 1,500 feet in an effort to train it to lead. _ **NEW** _ ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2005, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspca-ad-what-the-hell-are-they-thinking/326259/30 "2005-10-15T21:31:30Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > No, no, no. That would be file sharing if it were ASCAP. Though the ASPCA may have an issue if you were doing so while lighting kittens on fire. 😃 ASCAP has done a great job ensuring that no flaming kittens ever indulge in copyright violations. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2005, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspca-ad-what-the-hell-are-they-thinking/326259/31 "2005-10-15T22:31:29Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > I don’t know how effective these type of shock ads are . . . The Humane Society is one of the charities I already support, so I’m not sure they’re spending their advertising dollars wisely. In a sense, then, they ARE spending their advertising dollars wisely, since they don’t need to advertise to you, or to others who are already emotionally effected by the prospect of animal abuse. They need to get to the people that haven’t been affected thus far, yes? ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2005, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspca-ad-what-the-hell-are-they-thinking/326259/32 "2005-10-15T23:58:06Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > About 10 years ago, someone DID try to set one of my cats on fire. He was “educated” on the criminal penalties for such things, and was left with the impression that if my cat so much as even sneezed, I would call the ASPCA and the cops on him. It never happened again. What happened to the dude? Isn’t cruelty to animals a felony in California? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2005, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspca-ad-what-the-hell-are-they-thinking/326259/33 "2005-10-16T18:16:13Z")
> [@Manda JO](#): > > In a sense, then, they ARE spending their advertising dollars wisely, since they don’t need to advertise to you, or to others who are already emotionally effected by the prospect of animal abuse. They need to get to the people that haven’t been affected thus far, yes? Hmm, interesting point. Unless I _stop_ donating to them because their ads are too much for me. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspca-ad-what-the-hell-are-they-thinking/326259/34 "2005-10-16T21:03:47Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Any slashed up or drowned or burned animals you see are in your own head. That’s what I keep telling myself: “They’re all in your head. They’re just in your head.” I do wish they’d stop telling me to shoot random passersby, though. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2005, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspca-ad-what-the-hell-are-they-thinking/326259/35 "2005-10-16T21:37:49Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > _Shhhh!_ If NBC gets wind of this, we’ll have another _Law & Order_ spin-off: > > _ **Law & Order: ACU** _ (Tuesday, 8:00CMT) > RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES: Officers Blanco and Lubovich > investigate a case involving a man accused of dragging his > private-school daughters’ “reward pony” behind his SUV > for 1,500 feet in an effort to train it to lead. _ **NEW** _ Sounds about 100 times better than anything I’ve seen on _Criminal Intent_. ---
**Author:** ![Tenar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@Tenar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenar)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspca-ad-what-the-hell-are-they-thinking/326259/36 "2005-10-20T09:33:37Z")
> [@party store](#): > > What does ASPCA think of me sharing kittens over the internet? Ohhhhhh. NOW I understand the Napster logo. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspca-ad-what-the-hell-are-they-thinking/326259.md?page=1)