Jul 20 2010
Kings of Trash?
You might remember a few weeks back when we discussed the wastefulness of all those logo-branded merchandise mailings from the Humane Society of the United States. HSUS sends an incredible amount of calendars, notepads, keychains, tote bags, lunchboxes, and other assorted junk to prospective and current donors. And an awful lot of it winds up selling for pennies on eBay.
Put "HSUS" into the search engine at eBay, and you'll find a treasure trove of HSUS gizmos, doodads, and other assorted paraphernalia—such as an HSUS dog and cat fleece blanket (opening bid, $12.99), HSUS women’s fleece gloves (starting bid, $12.99), and a 2009 "Tennessee Member" HSUS keychain (yours for just 99 cents). We also saw sweaters, buttons, coffee mugs, calendars, greeting cards, umbrellas, t-shirts, and ... well, the list goes on.
We've known for a long time that HSUS's factory fundraising operation runs at "campaign speed" constantly. But does the group really need its own “Happy Holidays” t-shirt? Or member pins? Or hand towels? Or Christmas tree ornaments?
How much does this junk cost?
Here’s a clue: HSUS’s fundraising costs exceeded $24 million in 2008, the most recent available year for its tax filings. That means more than 25 cents of every dollar HSUS collects goes right back out the door to raise more money. And it’s spent on stuff like blankets, plastic tote bags, and yes, "HSUS member" sports watches (opening bid, $15.99).
For a holier-than-thou organization that's fond of lecturing the rest of us about being earth- and animal-friendly, you’d think HSUS would be keeping a closer eye on its own eco-footprint—starting with the landfill space all of this debris takes up.
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Good for you, Rhonda. Many people unwittingly donate(d) to HSUS but have since learned (thanks to HumaneWatch) what HSUS is really about. Many of those people now donate to local shelters and rescue organizations (that are NOT funded by HSUS).
If HSUS insists on gratifying people with do-dads and other assorted kitsch, they could at least send chew sticks, frisbees or cat toys to donors. You know, something an animal could actually benefit from.
You know with 10 million members receiving loads of this stuff you would think some of it would find its way to E-bay. But a search for HSUS or Humane society delivers few results. By comparison, NRA items are all over E-bay auctions and they claim only a fraction of the membership of HSUS. Another reason to disbelieve the inflated membership numbers. I see NRA stickers on cars all the time, but have never witnessed even one HSUS bumper sticker or window decal. I live in the south—is that the reason?
Seriously, Ken, if you were a member of HSUS who proudly supported groups who “go underground” with video cameras would you put an HSUS bumper sticker on your car??
Yesterday I received an impassioned plea along with graphic photos from the “Humane Society Legislative Fund”, along with some very nice address labels, trying to get me to shake loose of some money for their cause. What really delighted me was the fact that they enclosed a postage paid envelope. I loaded everything back in the envelope, along with some other junk mail, packed it full, taped it shut and it is on the way back to them. They have to pay the return postage plus extra, and with it loaded, it will cost even more. I recommend everyone do this.
Those prices seem to be the going rate in most stores for those types of items so I am wondering if they are on ebay for advertising.
Now that you’re a member, you may be getting that stuff directly!
Always wondered how that STUFF was bought and paid for!
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It seems to me they aren’t interested in helping the animals, because if they were, all of the junk they sent to people could have been used to buy food and medical care for the animals. They are abusing this organization and I will never send any money or promote them in any way ever again. You people should be ashamed of yourselves.!