A passion for putting pets first — and for staying ahead of the curve — fuels the ASPCA’s innovative strategies, and kept it energized when Katrina-relief efforts, a rebranding campaign and the overhaul of its development department all converged.

By Margaret Battistelli Gardner

“When Harry Bergh founded the ASPCA in 1866, it was the very first animal-welfare organization in this country. There just wasn’t anything for animals,” she adds. “So from the very beginning, we were there first. We have had some lulls where things just didn’t happen, but it’s kind of hard not to want to continue to lead the pack when you realize that your founder was the first person to raise a hand and say, ‘Animal abuse is not going to happen while I’m around.’”