Orion Samuelson is a nationally known writer regarding agricultural matters. I proofread one of his pieces last week….”Samuelson Sez”
In this report he warns about the United States Humane Society and giving any monetary support to that organization. Its purpose is not to set up shelters for pets or any other animals; it’s major goal (according to Samuelson) is to pursue radical animal rights agendae.
He quotes an evaluation of the USHS published by the Center for Consumer Freedom.
“The Humane Society of the United States is a radical animal rights group that inaccurately portrays itself as a mainstream animal care organization. The words “Humane Society” may appear on the letterhead but the USHS is not affiliated with your local animal shelter. While most local shelters are underfunded and unsung, HSUS has accumulated $162 million in assets, yet it doesn’t operate a single animal shelter anywhere and spends more than 5 million a year in travel expenses alone, just keeping its multi national agenda going.”
Samuelson also says (sez) that if you want to shut down all animal operations (livestock farming) and turn everyone into a vegetarian, then DO send your money to the USHS.
The op-eds put out by the USHS advocate “helping to make this a more humane society by reducing consumption of meat and egg products.” It opposes dog breeding, rodeos, circuses, horse racing, zoos, marine aquariums, and fur trapping.
Samuelson concludes that local animal shelters operated by local humane societies are worthy organizations and should be supported by local people. But Samuelson warns against sending one penny to the national humane society.
I had my own strange experience with the national organization. When New Orleans was flooded by Hurrican Katrina I was concerned about the pets left stranded and I sent a contribution to USHS. I now know that I should have found the address of the New Orleans humane society and sent my money there.
All I got out of the USHS was a two year long battle with their constant pleas for more money accompanied by lavish mailings of calendars, blankets, notepads and many gifts that I know were costing this organization a ton of money. Clearly they were not interested in protecting pets. I finally wrote a nasty BLUNT letter and told them to stop sending me things or I would immediately refuse to accept them and send them back at their expense. That did put a stop to the campaign for more money and the sending of gifts to me almost every month.
Local animal shelters SHOULD BE SUPPORTED as generously as one can afford.
