Fifth Grade
Worksheets
Never Forget Animal Cruelty
Being kind to animals might seem like an obvious thing to do, but not everyone treats animals well. Some people, like Henry Bergh, wanted to be sure all animals were treated with kindness. Bergh founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in 1866. Originally, he founded this organization in order to help horses and livestock. The group also helped cats and dogs.
Bergh later learned that circus animals, especially elephants, were treated badly. Bergh wanted to help these animals, too. Bergh discovered that circus trainers used hot pokers to control the circus elephants. Some people believe that "elephants never forget," but these circus elephants might wish that they could! In 1879, Bergh arrested a trainer for putting a hot poker up an elephant's trunk.
P.T. Barnum may have had the greatest show on earth, but Bergh found out that the animals in the circus also suffered in other ways. Fires caused animals' deaths three times. The animals had horrible housing. Barnum finally listened to Bergh. Bergh suggested larger, stronger cages. He told Barnum to stop using flammable straw bedding. He also recommended using fireproofing devices at Madison Square Garden during performances. These steps helped the circus animals stay safer.
