Nov 17 2011
HSUS’s Report Card: D
We received the latest charity rating guide from CharityWatch (formerly the American Institute of Philanthropy). And once again, the Humane Society of the United States—a national animal-rights group, not a pet-sheltering organization—gets a “D” grade.
CharityWatch finds that HSUS spends as little as 49 percent of its budget on actual program costs, meaning the rest is overhead costs (salaries, pension plans, etc.). CharityWatch also determines that it takes HSUS up to 49 cents to raise every dollar.
For an organization that raises over $130 million a year, that adds up to considerable money spent on direct mail and telemarketers. In fact, HSUS spent almost $50 million on fundraising in 2010. All those tote bags and other doodads are tying up a lot of dollars that could be helping shelter pets. (Click the picture to enlarge.)
This is the fifth straight CharityWatch report in which HSUS has received a “D” grade, though it probably deserves an “F” for honesty given how much HSUS misleads Americans. That’s over a year and counting. Does anybody at HSUS care? Or are they satisfied with blowing doggie dollars, so long as it keeps the cash flowing?
Comments
Hi there. I sent Wayne Pacelle exactly this point about cutting costs by wiping out the totebags, t-shirts and other junk. I was sent a big file of why all that “stuff” was necessary. Yeah, right. Anyway, the HSUS should take a lesson from the Executive Order signed by President Obama recently that completely cut out the doo-dad spending for government offices. If $0.49 is going to marketing to get more money, and $0.49 is going to pensions plans, salaries and overhead, that means the Charity itself gets $0.02 and is nothing more than a very well hidden scheme sucking in money from unsuspecting animal lovers who THINK they are doing something good for abused animals… We need to get this out there on the streets so people KNOW!
And even this is misleading as just exactly where is that 49% that is being spent on “programs” being spent? Lobbying? It is NOT being spent on actual hands on pet shelters like the commercials would have you believe!!
Wow, using over half the money raised to raise MORE money….. that sure proves they are nothing but a “factory fundraising” organization. It is kind of like they accuse so many of the people involved in animals, being it it just for the money.
You’ve all been DUPED !!! Good hearted animal lovers with the best of intentions have been lied to!! GIVE LOCALLY !! Find a LOCAL shelter or humane society WHERE YOUR MONEY WILL BE PUT TO GOOD USE and not squandered in the name of “fundraising”. THESE PEOPLE prey on your response to the poor sorry images of starving and abused animals. STOP THEM IN THEIR TRACKS !! GIVE LOCALLY !! TELL everyone you know !!
I hope you all realize this is not the Animal Humane Society,
This is the Humane Society of the United States, a money making SCAM!
Remember the basics. “THE TRUTH IS HSUS’s GREATEST ENEMY”. The truth, “HSUS believes humans should have no domestic contact with any animal for any purpose—incluing food, service and companionship”. HSUS wants to chip away at all animal breeding industries until all are shut down. In the name of animal rights, HSUS wants to deny Americans the choice of meats for their tables. We should be thankful for the millions that have a “place at the table” with the choice of plenty of both meats and vegetables and for those that provided it for us.
I can’t beleive the h$u$ is spending all that money right in front of the puplic when they know fulwell it is illegal for they to do that under a 503c1 tax permitt, any one else would be arrested.They should be taken to court over that!
How can anyone NOT know this was happening! A VERY long time ago I myself used to support this organization , but for a very short time, I kept getting T-shirts ect in the mail. If I decide to support a cause I do not support…I DEMAND the monies I send go TO that cause… not propaganda.
I do not NEED validation for my donation I want to know in my heart that is where it goes. Therefore any donation in the future will be given to my local shelter….and it may be a few big bags of food….I do NOT want my money going for the drugs to put animals down.
Thanks for the info…HSUS is off my list of donations. I will continue to contribute locally where I can see my $$$ in action.
They are “humane” to their staff. It has nothing to do with animals. It is just about shocking people with pictures, women in lettuce leaves and celebrities in the nude. When was the last time they held a cold kitten to warm it or fed a puppy?
What a shame! Being a lover of animals of all kinds, I am saddened!!!
Is this not a clear case of “Theft By Deception”?
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This is all news to me…I didn’t realize that this was happening. Too bad for sure. Is this a government run installation? If so, no wonder it isn’t functioning correctly. I have been a regular contributor to HSUS for a long time. I guess it’s time for me to quit now. I’ll contribute more to the other shelters and organizations that do more for the animals and don’t just collect money. Canvas tote bags I can do without. thank you….m