Was the Humane Society created before human/Child rights organizations?

[BluePitbull]

Someone was telling me that the first animal rights organization was created in 1877, before any child rights advocacy groups. True?

[Omega_Glory]

This is probably what your friend was talking about

1866 In New York City, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is first organized. The Massachusetts legislature takes note of cotton factory recruitment drives for "small labor. " The drives called for children, regardless of their age, to leave school and work, citing they would “otherwise be useless if not burdensome to society.”

1874 The Mary Ellen Case reaches court in NY: Mrs. Charles Wheeler, a church worker, sought help from SPCA to stop brutal treatment of 12-year old by her foster parents. This case marks the first legal gathering for children’s rights and launches the national and international child protective movement.

1875 The SPCA declares it could not handle the load of cases involving children coming to it as a result of the Mary Ellen Case and recommended forming a separate organization to deal with abused and neglected children. NYSPCC is formed.

From here