Lets Help The Animals[orly?]

[Nirvana]

http://www.consumerfreedom.com/press...ti-fundraising

Consumer Group: HSUS Must Return Donations after Misleading Haiti Fundraising

Humane Society Of The United States Has A History Of Deceptive Pitches

Washington, DC - The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) is calling on the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to return all the funds it has raised under the pretense of "saving" animals in the wake of Haiti's devastating earthquake. A disaster relief expert working with Humane Society International (HSUS's global arm) reports that there are no animal issues resulting from the earthquake and that no actions can be taken to help animals there. This follows a thorough assessment of the situation in Haiti.

HSUS continues to raise funds for "emergency" donations, claiming Tuesday that "Humane Society International's team on the ground in Haiti continues its work of helping animals in distress."

David Martosko, Director of Research at the Center for Consumer Freedom released the following statement on HSUS's deceptive fundraising:

Raising money to help nonexistent animals is the lowest kind of fundraising scam. Sadly, it's just the latest in a string of phony HSUS fundraising schemes.

In 2007 HSUS raised money with the false promise that it would be used to "care for the dogs seized in the Michael Vick case." The New York Times later reported that HSUS was not caring for the animals at all, and HSUS president Wayne Pacelle said his group is recommending that government officials "put down" (kill) all the dogs, many of which were later saved by other organizations.

HSUS also raised a reported $34 million in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, funds that were supposed to help reunite lost pets with their owners. But an investigation by WSB-TV in Atlanta found that less than $7 million of this money could be publicly accounted for.

In the name of transparency, HSUS should cease its Haiti fundraising immediately, or redirect 100 percent of the proceeds to the American Red Cross.

[xoxoxoBruce]

HSUS is nothing but a money machine... always was.

[wolf]

I make use of their free refrigerator magnets and address labels, recycle the mailers.

[jinx]

Christ, they're worse than Peta...

[lumberjim]

Sounds like The Human Fund, to me...

It would seem to me that zoonotic diseases will be a serious health issue in Haiti particularly as a result of contamination of water resources and the food supply...coupled with the fact of the close proximity of humans to animals that exists in third world countries like Haiti.

Certainly, the treatment of animals should not have been the first priority, but it will need to be addressed....soon!

added: from the American Veterinary Medical Association:

A coalition of animal protection groups has arrived in Haiti to aid animals imperiled by the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake. The team represents the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), which was formed specifically to deal with the Haiti crisis and which includes both the AVMA and American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) as partners.

The ARCH team has begun meeting with officials from the Haitian government as well as international agencies, such as the United Nations, to define the most pressing animal-related problems as well as identify long-term planning options. Among the concerns are possible outbreaks of zoonotic diseases such as rabies and leptospirosis.

"We had not considered including animals in the plans we're working up now, but after meeting the ARCH team, we can see that it would be good to do so," said Haitian Minister of Environment Jean Marie Claude Germain. "In addition to preventing deforestation and protecting our water reserves, we are also discussing the need for a vaccination program in order to prevent the spread of diseases amongst the animal populations."

Only about 20 percent of Haiti's estimated 500,000 dogs were vaccinated against rabies last year, according to ARCH officials. In addition, Haiti lacks sufficient medicine and vaccine to protect pigs, cattle, and other livestock against common illness, such as anthrax and pig cholera.

"We are now at high risk of disease, which is why it is so important to start a vaccination campaign as soon as possible," said Dr. Michel Chancy, Haiti's Minister of Animal Production.

http://www.avma.org/news/Haiti_earthquake/

I would suggest the CCF's comment re "non-existing animals" is a bit of stretch...in addition to the 500,000 dogs, there are millions of livestock...all of which potentially threaten public health.

If HSUS fund raising is funneled through ARCH, I would be of the opinion that it may well be legitimate and not a scam.

[xoxoxoBruce]

HSUS money isn't funneled through anything, except maybe Swiss Banks. They are a scam, and always will be. We went into this in detail in one of the PETA threads. The ONLY good they do, is raise the public awareness of animals through their constant fund raising campaign. That doesn't nearly make up for the money they funnel AWAY, from organizations that actually help the critters. Nogoodnics.

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

HSUS money isn't funneled through anything, except maybe Swiss Banks. They are a scam, and always will be. We went into this in detail in one of the PETA threads. The ONLY good they do, is raise the public awareness of animals through their constant fund raising campaign. That doesn't nearly make up for the money they funnel AWAY, from organizations that actually help the critters. Nogoodnics.

Hey...I get it.

You dont think CCF's Jan. 28 press release, based on no direct quote and from an anonymous source working with HSI, is a scam...

A disaster relief expert working with Humane Society International (HSUS's global arm) reports that there are no animal issues resulting from the earthquake and that no actions can be taken to help animals there...

..Raising money to help nonexistent animals is the lowest kind of fundraising scam..

... (no animal issues...non existent animals....wtf?) particularly since there is obviously a need to help existing animals (and the potential adverse impact on human health) and HSI was preparing its relief effort well before that date, according to its website.

I'm not defending HSUS. I have no personal knowledge of their fund raising practices, particularly regarding Haiti..but this CCF press release is a disgrace. IMO, it is yellow journalism at its worst...from an organization that, despite its name, does not represent consumers, but fast food restaurants, big tobacco, etc. and has a long-standing dispute with HSUS.

A more independent and verifiable source of HSUS's alleged misuse of funds regarding Haiti relief would certainly be more credible.

added:
The Charity Navigator, a well respected source of organizational charitable organizations, gives the HSUS its top rating (4 stars - Exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in its cause.):
http://www.charitynavigator.org/inde...ary&orgid=3848

You don't like HSUS....don't give them any money. They would not be my first choice in charitable animal rights/animal welfare organizations and I never have given them money in the past and never had any intentions of doing so in the future, perhaps except a small token now because of this bullshit.

But please, don't attempt to pass this press release off as a credible, reliable source.

[xoxoxoBruce]

We are the lead disaster relief agency for animals, and we provide direct care for thousands of animals at our sanctuaries and rescue facilities, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and mobile veterinary clinics.

That's bullshit, they have none, they are referring to affiliates.

Payments to Affiliates $0

Folks, give your money to the affiliates that actually help the critters.

[SamIam]

I support the local animal rescue group. I can (and have) visit their facility and see how the animals are cared for myself. I can talk to the woman who runs the rescue outfit. I can talk to people who have obtained their animals from her. This works for me. I don't bother with national or global outfits. Charity begins at home.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Right on Sam, that's the best way to actually help.