Cleveland Animal Protective League

On June 12, 1912, twelve women met at the home of Stella Hatch and formed an association called the Animal Protective League. Incorporated in 1913, the Cleveland Animal Protective League (APL) is a private, 501(c)(3), nonprofit humane society and progressive leader in animal welfare.

At the end of 2021, we completed a $13.5-million capital campaign that allowed us to expand and completely renovate the Cleveland APL’s animal care facility. The five-room cottage, located on Willey Avenue in Cleveland, that opened as the APL’s first shelter in 1917 is now a nearly 40,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art animal resource center and shelter. While much has changed over the years, our commitment to creating a more humane community for animals and people alike has remained steadfast.

The Cleveland APL’s mission is to foster compassion and end animal suffering. Every day, we rescue abused and neglected animals, offer shelter to homeless pets, promote compassionate and responsible pet guardianship, strive to improve the quality of life for pets in the community, advocate for their protection and value in our society, and work
to keep pets with the people they love.

We never turn companion animals in need away due to their age, health, or temperament. This year, thousands of injured, abused, or homeless animals will come through our doors. Once inside, they receive the food, shelter, and medical care they so desperately need. For some, it is the only human kindness they have ever known.

Every healthy, friendly, or humanely and safely treatable animal who comes to the Cleveland APL will stay with us as long as it takes to find them a new home. Through our Second Chance Program, we provide exceptional and, often, advanced veterinary care to animals with treatable illnesses or injuries. There are no time limits for animals at the APL.
Animals who can be humanely and safely placed in homes will stay in our care until a new family adopts them.

We’re proud to celebrate our incredible accomplishments and thank everyone who has been a part of our journey, in any way, for their support. We are already dreaming about where the APL will be in another 100 years and hope you will continue to support our mission and help us to create more happily ever afters for animals in the years to come.