What comes to mind when you hear the song “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan? Do you get teary-eyed and have to change the channel like the musician herself? When I hear this song the first thing that comes to mind is a bunch of wide-eyed mistreated puppies and kittens. Who is behind these television ads, (if you don’t already know)? The answer is the ASPCA. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, was the first humane society to be established in North America back in 1866. The organization’s goals and mission statement is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.” This non-profit organization’s focus, outlined by their current President and CEO Matthew Bershadker, is to get pets out of shelters and keep them in homes, while increasing the protections of animals
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The Sarah McLachlan commercial originally aired in 2006 and managed to raise $30 million in the first few years of its release. Over 10 years later, and it is still well-known. The commercial’s concept has stayed the same over the years, and the only thing that changes are updated images and current popular celebrities. However, it is unfair to “use” these images purposely to make the audience feel bad. The ASPCA uses the very animals they claim to save, by showing the pitiful, pathetic photographs and videos of abused animals making eye contact with the viewer. The more people see that, the more they are going to donate—and the ASPCA knows this fact well. You never see the rehabilitated dog they rescued from the dumpster, or the happy cat with its new family in her new home. These notorious, gut-wrenching, and tear-jerking commercials are deceptive and traumatizing as many people change the channel when they come on because they are so difficult to watch. Brutal? Yes, but clearly those who are able to withstand watching know it's important. Those who can’t still make a donation
The Sarah McLachlan commercial originally aired in 2006 and managed to raise $30 million in the first few years of its release. Over 10 years later, and it is still well-known. The commercial’s concept has stayed the same over the years, and the only thing that changes are updated images and current popular celebrities. However, it is unfair to “use” these images purposely to make the audience feel bad. The ASPCA uses the very animals they claim to save, by showing the pitiful, pathetic photographs and videos of abused animals making eye contact with the viewer. The more people see that, the more they are going to donate—and the ASPCA knows this fact well. You never see the rehabilitated dog they rescued from the dumpster, or the happy cat with its new family in her new home. These notorious, gut-wrenching, and tear-jerking commercials are deceptive and traumatizing as many people change the channel when they come on because they are so difficult to watch. Brutal? Yes, but clearly those who are able to withstand watching know it's important. Those who can’t still make a donation