Martin, I appreciate your response. I do believe that adequate enforcement of exising laws would go a long way in some areas. In other cases, animal protection laws are vague and difficult to apply, or they simply don’t serve as an effective deterrent. For example, when I began working at the HSUS a number of years ago, cockfighting was still legal in many states, and dogfighting was often considered only a misdemeanor (today I believe it’s a felony in all 50 states).

I’ll pass along your feedback about our website. Thanks again.
Total Comments by HillaryHSUS: 2

I apologize for the mistake. I wrote based on information from a rather aggressive internet source. Your organizations effort to protect animals is honorable, but I am still concerned about the focus on legal action and legislation. I would prefer enforcement of existing law, with authorities taking action to prevent abuse.

I attempted to access the link that you provided and got a ‘page not found’ error. I spent some time surfing you site. I did find the articles where HSUS supported local shelters and runs several rescue ranches (which is great), but could not find any history section that would show the date of establishment and other information. Such a page would help to battle the people who are linking your organization to PETA.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my article and respond. Your comments were respectful and civil, an attitude that is sorely lacking in the high tension politics that surround topics like this today.
Total Comments by Martin Kelly: 80

I agree that donors should definitely research the charities they support. Our organization has always focused on broader animal protection issues such as factory farming, puppy mills, animal fighting, and lab animal welfare. Here’s a link from our website that explains the HSUS’s relationship to local shelters: http://www.humanesociety.org/animal_community/resources/qa/common_questions_on_shelters.html
Total Comments by HillaryHSUS: 2

Oh, wait, too late. They are already taken.

(sigh)
Total Comments by kosmo: 294

We saw that recently following the earth quake in Haiti. Similar to your examples, people obtained toll free nubmers one digit off from the reputable agencies that were seeking donations and operated under similar names. However, the newly formed companies were not using the money to relieve the destruction in Haiti. Rather, they were renting hummer limos and going out for wild times with their friends.

Have you noticed that Amway has done something similar to HSUS? Many people have a bad taste in their mouth and knee jerk reaction to run if they hear Amway. As a result, Amway created child corporations that make no mention of Amway but essentially run the same pyramid schemes that made Amway famous. Those new corporations are Alticor/Quixtar and probably others that I’m not aware of. They operate like Amway (high pressure) but intentionally hide their affiliation.

On a positive note, having PETA and PETA, you can probably just about fit everyone comfortably into one of those groups. You have the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or the People Eating Tatsty Animals. I’ll join the latter of the two and enjoy a steak fresh off the grill.
Total Comments by Squeaky: 75