A Not-so-Glowing Report for HSUS
By Marlys Miller
| Thursday, May 21, 2009
The Human Society of the United States likes it when the public ties the group to local Humane Society animal shelters. The implication is if you give money to HSUS, some of that money trickles down to local Humane Societies too, and everyone feel good about helping homeless and abused cats and dogs.
Well, HSUS is not that kind-hearted. The entity's funding efforts go into HSUS coffers and that's pretty much it; and among the organization's top self-proclaimed priorities is to focus on, some might say end, animal agriculture.
Last week, Channel 2 Action News in Atlanta shone the media spotlight on the HSUS — and the animal rights' group didn’t fare so well when they didn’t control the message or the camera’s direction.
Atlanta reporter, Amanda Rosseter, traced for viewers where the organization’s vast donations go, explaining that little of the millions of dollars given to HSUS each year end up at local animal shelters. (The HSUS 2007 annual report indicates $120 million in revenue.)
Yet, HSUS is adept at generating media attention for animal rescues. For example, this week a animal "shelter" in southern Wisconsin, which contracted with a local humane society to care for stray cats, dogs and other animals was raided for neglect and abuse. Volunteers helping with the horrendous scene included folks wearing HSUS logos, implying HSUS funding support as well.
The Channel 2 Action News Story sources told the reporter that HSUS is very successful at using misleading tactics to raise funds. Meanwhile, that same annual report shows $112 million in expenses — money Rosseter’s sources say is spent on lobbyists for animal-rights bills, salaries and benefits.
Source: WSBTV Channel 2 Action News
