Caroline Earle White grew up in a little town in Pennsylvania where she would walk from her home, into town, and would constantly see horses and mules being overworked and beaten if they slowed down or tried to take breaks. Caroline had a big heart for animals and hated seeing them get abused. She started intentionally picking different walking trails so that she could avoid those streets where she would see this animal cruelty. It constantly broke Caroline’s heart, which led her to stand up for what she believed in.1
Caroline’s husband, Richard White was an attorney, and he encouraged her to have a meeting with the founder of the first American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), who was Henry Bergh in 1866. Henry Bergh started this organization because his office window overlooked an area in town where he would always see animals abused. Caroline went to talk to Mr. Bergh, looking for advice on how to begin a chapter for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Bergh told her that she should start by obtaining a petition and get signatures.2 White returned home with just the spark she needed. Caroline and her husband started obtaining signatures for her petition calling for the Pennsylvania Chapter for Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). While obtaining signatures, Caroline discovered that there were others that were interested in starting a humane society. Caroline and twenty-nine other women joined together to form the PSPCA.3
Caroline’s campaigning led her to meet Colonel M. Richards Muckle, who wanted to create an organization like Bergh’s. They got together and launched the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA) in 1869.4 Women were not viewed the same as men at the time and were looked down upon. Because of this, Caroline was not allowed to sit on the board of her own organization. In fact, Morris Waln, who provided financial support for the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of cruelty to Animals (PSPCA), became president of the board while Caroline was excluded from any position.5
Caroline was upset that women were not able to sit on the board of the organization started by extraordinary women, so in April of 1869, the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA) became known as the Women’s Humane Society, formed by thirty extraordinary women. Funds were raised for the facility to be built in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. It was called the “refuge,” being the first animal shelter in the world.6 The refuge provided free veterinary care and also employed three cruelty officers. These men were authorized to prevent animal abuse and punish those involved.
The Women’s Branch was criticized for focusing on animal advocacy. Caroline White replied to these critics who thought her group should work for human causes saying,
“But are we not working for human beings? Are we not constantly striving to make men and women more humane and disposed to all kindly feelings and to teach children to become gentle and merciful? Is not everything which tends to elevate man in the mortal scale a benefit to him, and is it not rendering him incalculable service to teach him to control his passions, as we do when we prevent him from weakening his anger upon his horses?”7
In 1871, White’s organization passed the twenty-eight-hour law, requiring railroad companies to provide food, water, and rest time for animals in transport after twenty-eight hours. White’s organization had agents access railroads and punish anyone involved with the abuse of the law. Even with this law in place, people still would not listen. In 1896, the Reading Railroad was found guilty of transporting horses for fifty-two hours straight without food or water, and ended up being charged a $200 fee. White viewed the twenty-eight-hour law as the “crowning achievement” of her life.8
Animal advocacy became part of women’s social activism. This ended up leading to The Antivivisection Movement in 1883, with Caroline Earle White as the founder. This movement was formed to end experimentation on animals in research and testing. It was the first non-profit animal organization in the United States.9 Caroline’s progressive thinking were light years ahead of her time. With this being said, the Humane Society was established before child welfare existed. Children were being abandoned all over the United States. It was decided to start the Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in 1875, once it was seen that there was such a positive change that had been made in the lives of animals. Caroline Earle White had no idea that she could change the lives of everyone by standing up for animals, but she did, and it was the proudest achievement she ever had.10
- Keri Cronin, “Caroline Earle White” (Unbound Project October 13, 2016), 1. ↵
- Jane Campbell, MRS. CAROLINE EARLE WHITE, REFORMER (Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia 33, no. 1, 1922): 38. ↵
- Women’s Animal Center, “History of Women’s Animal Center” (Women’s Animal Center, 2018) 1. ↵
- Bernard Oreste Unti, “The Quality of Mercy: Organized Animal Protection in the United States 1866-1930,” (PH. D. United States—District of Columbia, American University, 2002), 152. ↵
- Bernard Oreste Unti, “The Quality of Mercy: Organized Animal Protection in the United States 1866-1930,” (PH. D. United States—District of Columbia, American University, 2002), 154. ↵
- Women’s Animal Center, “History of Women’s Animal Center,” (Women’s Animal Center, 2018): 1-3. ↵
- Women’s Animal Center, “History of Women’s Animal Center” (Women’s Animal Center, 2018) 1. ↵
- Jane Campbell, MRS. CAROLINE EARLE WHITE, REFORMER (Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia 33, no. 1, 1922): 41. ↵
- Erik Bruun, “Dictionary of American History Vol. 3: Animal Rights Movement” (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 2003), 186. ↵
- Jane Campbell, MRS. CAROLINE EARLE WHITE, REFORMER (Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia 33, no. 1, 1922): 43. ↵
22 comments
Grace Malacara
Caroline White is an inspiration; animal concerns are frequently disregarded and ignored. I don’t see how someone could be fine with injuring or overworking an animal, yet this is still a major issue today. It’s comforting to know that there are individuals striving to put an end to this brutality, and that change is possible. It was palpable for Caroline, so why shouldn’t it be so for us? Congratulations on your nomination and a fantastic read!
Andrew Ponce
The author chose a great topic to write on, as many people can relate to the feelings and situations Caroline Earle had felt. Not many people know the history of her organization and how the humane society had started, it is very nice to see an article touch on the topic of animal cruelty as many not many articles are written on this topic.
Vianne Beltran
Hi Caroline,
I enjoyed reading your article as the topic of animal welfare and testing are still being discussed today. I’m glad Caroline’s husband was supportive of her and took her seriously. I’m sure that it was uncommon for men at the time to believe in their wife’s abilities outside the home. I liked the quote you included about Caroline’s response to her critics. I think it really rings true. You can often tell a lot about a person based on how they treat animals.
Anissa Navarro
This article was so well written and I think it told the story well of how the humane society had started. I had never learned the origin of the humane society, I had always just known what it stood for. Thank you for writing an article that I think has been overlooked, I am just not sure if it is because of the organization or the gender of the person.
Paula Ferradas Hiraoka
Hello Kayla,
First of all, congratulations on your nomination and getting your article published!
This was a very insightful article and is a great example of a woman standing up and fighting for a change. It was fascinating to hear about Caroline Earle, a female who was unable to sit on the board of her own organization.
Starting to fight against animal cruelty, and then for Women’s rights, this is a really impressive story of a women who is now an important character of history referring to protests for something that should be right.
Overall, incredible article and good luck!
Eliza Merrion
This was a very insightful article. It was fascinating to hear that because she was a female she was unable to sit on the board of her own organization. However, despite these set backs it was very impressive to read about all the change she created and especially the establishment of the first humane society. Caroline’s story was very inspiring and overall this was a very well written article.
Carlos Hinojosa
A really amazing article that talked about something heartwarming a nice change of pace compared to what I usually read. You did a good job giving background of the character and how see eventually couldn’t stand it anymore and stepped in to make a difference. It is a shame what most Anti-Animal Cruelty organizations became, like PETA. Full of corruption and only in there for the money.
Hoa Vo
It is a really great article about how can a good sign that a woman stands up and fight for it would change many issues in our society. Caroline first stood up to fight against Animals cruelty then she realized how the inequality of the gender system restricted her right, so she fought for Women’s rights. Caroline might not know but her heroine and kind action lead to many reformations to bring justice for the minors.
Natalia Ramirez
Thank you for this article! It was very inspiring to read about Caroline Earle and her love for animals. I can relate to her because I love animals as well. One thing that bothers me is seeing animals at the zoo because I believe this is abuse. These animals should be out running in the wild and not in cages.
Sara Davila
I can relate to this article on a personal level being that I am such a huge animal lover myself. I could not imagine seeing animals being put in such harmful conditions and not say something myself. I commend Caroline for her bravery to be able to stand up to others and start such an amazing organization. Overall this article was very interesting and well-written.