Like a lot of people, I thought that my donations to the National Humane Society would work it's way through the system and come back to help abused and neglected pets throughout the country.
I was wrong.
I scanned the tax return information on their website this morning, and became very angry. The National Humane society has assets of over 200 million dollars, and it appears to be used primarily as a fund for lobbiest (or funnel money to politicians). What really made me mad was that no money made it's way back to any of the local animal shelters.
If you want to fund politicians, give to the national Humane society. If you want to help neglected pets, give to your local shelter. The two are not connected.
This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property and opinions of Larry Brewer of Keller Williams Realty. Providing real estate services to clients in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Spring Hill, Green Hills, and the middle Tennessee area
Great Advice. We try to see where the money actually goes before we donate. The local facilities have more autonimy to use the money then they do when it comes from a National Organization.
Great information. Also before you throw out those old blankets and towels take them to the local shelter. They can use them for bedding for the pets. If you have a pet every next time you are at the store by and extra bag of food and donate it to the shelter. Every little bit helps their decreasing budgets and maybe give a pet an extra chance to find a new home.
I agree * there is a no-kill sanctuary in our area and I've given $$ and I'll give again on Mother's Day in the names of my husband's and my mother's * both named PAT * and both were GREAT animal lovers!!
Thanks for exposing them. You may also want to include HSUS in your list of organizations that are not exactly what they appear to be.
Geoff - I had no idea that the national Humane society was just about politics
Cindy - Good idea
Wallace - Give locally, the money is used for the animals, not the politicians
Mike - I think I just did.
Good point, so many ways to contribute on a local level to help animals in our own community.
Wow I had no idea. My aunt and uncle support many shelters and I will send them this. They would have a hissy fit if they knew.
Mike - We all need to do a little more research before we donate money to causes we may not support.
Missy - Maybe they already know. Local shelters are usually legit,
Giving to your local humane society is good too. Breed specific rescues REALLY need help now!
My sister works at the NE Humane Society and we adopted our adorable little clown "Bob" from there. They work very hard for very little.
I also want to explain that they hire these lobbists also (as much as I hate lobbying because it has destroyed & corrupted our government) to promote better policing of puppy mills, backyard breeders and to promote legislation that will better control the population.
On the surface, this report looks bad. In reality (and someone who works with a breed specific rescue) many of these laws & regulations they want are helpful, on a deeper level.
Renee - It sounds like some good, some maybe not. I'm sure the national Humane society didn't start out with the intention of spending hundred of millions to the political monster that country seems to be fighting, but that's where they are now. And like anything this big, it's hard to make it turn around. Too many people are making big money off of it.
My real point was to donate to you local shelter so that animals will benefit. Donating more money to sway politicians and the pockets of the management of this group will not help a single living animal.
If they want to stop greyhound racing, and the use of antibiotics in farm animals, that's fine, but I have better ways to spend my money that to contribute to Nancy Pelosi's campaign fund.
Thanks for exposing that bit of information -- we need to get the real issues.
Larry, I had no idea about this. I guess you need to check out any charity to see where the money really goes.
Bob and Carolin - THis was just me taking a look after a simple commercial about raising money for a local animal shelter
Betty and John - Yes you do, I know one charity who asks for donations for families of police officers is just a scam, the money goes into the pockets of the management, never back to the fallen officers families.
Larry, Re-blogged. Thank you for making this available.
Larry- Thanks for the information. I have donated to both but will focus on local shelters and rescue groups rather than the national one.
You can also ASK the rescue groups what they need. Last year I donated sheets and towels & the rescue group was very appreciative. Kept the poor orphans from having to lay on hot cement in a cage out front Petsmart hoping to be adopted.
Larry, are you talking about HSUS? They're no better than PETA, in fact, if you follow the money and the personnel, they're pretty much the same. HSUS was just sued for racketeering, among other things.
Do not confuse HSUS with the ASPCA, by the way. No matter that HSUS put "Humane" in their name just to confuse those making donations.
Absolutely, if you want to make sure that your funds go to the animals, donate to someone local or a national group that you can hold accountable (I'm on the board of a Morgan Horse rescue that pulls horses bound for slaughter and finds them new homes - we fundraise specifically for their bail, transport, and vet costs and that's where it ALL goes since we're all volunteers).
Donations can be in dollars or in kind, as Melissa says.
Hi, Larry. Thanks for making the distinction. My daughter adopted a pet from one of our local shelters and I will share this info with her. Thanks.
This is an eye opener. Thanks for the important information. You would not have thought this.
Larry, great post, I don't want funds to go to Pelosi either. How did this get turned around? They should be paying us to keep them in office. It is sad, many people just choose not to contribute anymore.
Bonny - Thanks for the reblog. This post was started when I noticed a commercial about one of the local shelters, and I thought they said that they were locally funded. That when the research started.
Melissa - Your picture says a lot about where you stand on this issue.
Tricia - HSUS is the one I'm talking about here. I had no idea they were charged for racketeering. Since they have so many legal friends, I'm sure that a day in court was easy for them.
Yolanda - Support the local companies, they are trying to help. HSUS is all about making money.
CHeryl - It's amazing what a good name and a commercials will do for your image.
WTG - good post !!!!!!! Dogs are a passion of mine !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rusty - I am lo longer allowing dogs in my house. my last dog cost me a lot of money replacing the carpet, refinishing the hardwoods, doors, trim, and repainting the walls. However, I don't want to have any animals suffer .