This year marks the 154th anniversary of the Animal Sheltering and Adoptions movement in America. And it all began with 30 women who formally joined forces on April 14, 1869 in Philadelphia to establish Women’s Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, now called Women’s Animal Center, America’s First Animal Shelter.
On Sunday, April 16, at Bitchin’ Kitten Brewery, 58-B E. Bridge St. in Morrisville, Women’s Animal Center is toasting its founders and inviting the community to join the organization for a special anniversary celebration.
Animal lovers are invited anytime between noon and 7 p.m. to purchase and enjoy food and a specially-created Caroline Earle “wheat” Dunkelweizen Ale honoring Women’s Animal Center founder Caroline Earle White. A portion of sales from this special beer release will support safe shelter, meals and medical care for the shelter pets waiting for their forever homes.
Women’s Animal Center will have a welcome table with information about the organization, raffle baskets and 50/50. The cat-loving co-owners of Bitchin’ Kitten Brewery, Michael and Brigitte Crosson, passionately believe in supporting the lifesaving work of animal welfare organizations.
The founders of Women’s Animal Center, led by the trailblazing White, used what little voice they had to speak on behalf of the voiceless. Concerned by the cruel manner in which strays on Philadelphia streets were captured and killed, they successfully petitioned the mayor to take over the municipal pound as their initial order of business, repurposing it as the first facility in the U.S. for sheltering and rehoming animals. Additionally, Women’s Animal Center also pioneered the nation’s first humane education programs; first free veterinary clinic; and first anti-vivisection society.
The extent of their influence is written on the heart of American culture itself, reflected in an estimated 85 million American households now shared with pets. Over 3 million cats and dogs were adopted from shelters in 2021.
Women’s Animal Center is located at 3839 Richlieu Road, Bensalem. Visit womensanimalcenter.org or call 215-750-3100 for more information.
