TC Palm (FL)
Letter: HSUS spends majority of funds on political activities, internal benefits
By reader submitted
Posted November 20, 2009 at 1 a.m.
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/nov/20/letter-hsus-spend-majority-of-funds-on-political/

The 2008 IRS tax return for the Humane Society of the United States,
listed on the organization’s Web site, reports it had income of $85
million. Expenses included $24.2 million for fund-raising, $2.98
million in officer’s compensation, $35.4 million for other payroll
expenses and $5.4 million in travel expenses. Only $4.7 million went
for grants to organizations in the United States.

The return showed that only three Florida humane societies received
grants: $10,000 each to the humane societies of Broward County, Miami
and Tampa Bay. The biggest single grant, 50 percent of the total, was
$2.25 million to a political action group, “Californians for Humane
Farms.”

There also were $535,766 in grants primarily to political advocacy
groups in foreign countries. It still looks like penny ante image
building, while the majority of the money goes to political activities
and internal benefits. HSUS, and especially its well-meaning
volunteers, do occasionally help pets directly, but I still believe
HSUS primarily is an animal rights organization whose political agenda
is not always in the best interest of pet owners.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is far worse with a very
radical political agenda. Don’t take my word for it; do your own
research. As Charles Dennis said in his excellent, factual article on
J&R Outfitters (which, incidentally, also refuted the lies being
spread by HSUS and PETA), the reality is that animal rights activists
do not want animals to be used by humans for any reason.

The bottom line is that HSUS, with assets of $188 million, is just a
very big business. Personally, I will continue to give my money to
local organizations where I know it will be put to better use.

Arthur Burr
Sewall’s Point

ttt