The ASPCA believes Oreo's Law is impractical and, despite appearances, inhumane, potentially putting thousands of animals in jeopardy. It is the ASPCA’s goal to help develop or support legislation that we believe will do the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of animals, and we do not believe Oreo’s Law adequately considers the best interests of the animal, the shelter, or the public-at-large. The ASPCA is not alone in our disapproval of the proposed law and experts with other animal welfare organizations across the country have also found serious flaws in the legislation.

The ASPCA has always supported making animal shelters accessible to legitimate rescue groups.  As a founding member of the Mayor’s Alliance for New York City’s Animals, a coalition of 160 groups and shelters that routinely transfer animals who are in danger of being euthanized from the city’s public shelters, the ASPCA believes strongly that access to rescue groups is a cornerstone of any effort to ensure positive outcomes for at-risk animals. However, a successful transfer program requires both release of animals to rescue organizations as well as discretion on the part of individual shelters to determine, in good faith, whether an animal’s needs can be met by a particular rescue organization. This is especially important in New York State, where shelters and rescue organizations are unregulated.

The ASPCA believes that only through collaboration and cooperation will major victories for New York state’s animals be achieved.