HSUS, Are They Who You Think They Are.

Wayd Jansen

HSUS, Are They Who You Think They Are

The Humane Society of the United States prides its self on being, “The largest and most effective animal protection organization.” The HSUS’s mission statement is to, “Celebrate Animals, Confront Cruelty.” Wow, I got to say my own wallet is starting to open up for such a caring and loving organization. Yet, like any cautious person I want to do a little research on what my money will be going to. 

            Research done by The Center for Consumer Freedom shows that in 2008 HSUS boasted over 86million dollars in contributions. With that kind of money it’s worth it to know how much of that could possibly be going to a humane society closer to you. Well again thanks to The Center for Consumer Freedom, they found that only 4.7 million of HSUS spending went to grants. Half of that spending was sent to a political campaign in California. When the numbers were crunched it turns out that HSUS only actually granted 450 thousand dollars to organizations which provide hands on care to dogs and cats. People would think that an organization that sets aside a day in honor of spading and neutering pets would put more money where their mouth is.

            This is not saying a whole lot for HSUS spending. HSUS’s “form 990” a tax form; which people can find a link to on activistcash.com, shows that HSUS paid 41 employees at least 100 thousand dollar salaries. Total in 2008 there was 28.4 million dollars paid in salaries with another 4.7 million in employee benefits and compensation. The HSUS president that year received a gracious salary of 250 thousand dollars, almost half of what they spent on hands on care.

            So what are some of biggest items on HSUS’s agenda and, where’s the money going? Just visit their web page. Here people can find all they want to know or, maybe what they didn’t. Hunting/fishing, rodeos, circuses, dog breeding, zoos, lab research done on animals, and let’s not fail to mention dairy farms, chicken/egg productions, hog farms, and the list is virtually endless. To no surprise people will also find a strong push to change their eating habits. Wayne Pacelle, HSUS’s former president, is a strict vegan and is quoted saying, “Reducing meat consumption can be a tremendous benefit to animals,” and, “HSUS is making a guide to vegetarian eating, to really make the case for it.”

            Let’s get back to money. In 2008, 27.5 million dollars were spent on just fundraising. So, major portions of donations every year are spent on the heart tugging commercials of “abused” animals just to get back into your wallet. 27.5 million dollars, how many animals could be saved with that? From 2004 to 2008, 8.5 million has been put into the executive pension fund. Nearly 5 million dollars every year is spent on traveling fees alone.  If people wish to see where the rest of the HSUS donations are going they should fill free to go to the websites of, The Center for Consumer Freedom,” or “Activist cash.” Here people can find the HSUS Tax Form 990 for the years of 2008 and 2009.

            Do to great deception on the part of HSUS’s heart wrenching commercials and propaganda over 11 million people have pledged support to this group. Unknowing the money they thought they had pledged to a truly worthy cause is actually going to help dismantle all forms agriculture and some outdoor recreations. Theses pet loving Americans are being falsely influence to believe that HSUS might have ties with their local humane society which is false. With a little help from the people who are not fooled by HSUS and, so research done by each individual I believe we can show people the truth behind the HSUS’s façade. It’s time that outdoorsmen and agriculturalist put their foot down and, start educating the public before our way of life is simply tilled over.

Work Cited

activistcash.com. N.p., 2010. www.google.com. Web. 18 Nov. 2010. <http://activistcash.com/organization_overview.cfm/o/136-humane-society-of-the-united-states>.

The Humane Society of the United States. N.p., 2010. www.google.com. Web. 18 Nov. 2010. <http://www.humanesociety.org/>.

Unpacking the HSUS Gravy Train. The Center for Consumer Freedom, 30 Dec. 2009. www.google.com. Web. 22 Nov. 2010. <http://www.consumerfreedom.com/news_detail.cfm/h/4062-unpacking-the-hsus-gravy-train>.