“No, we don’t encourage you to ‘Occupy HSUS.’?”  Awww, shucks. I heard they had nifty upscale digs in Hollywood, CA.  That sounds like my kind of “occupation.”  I was all ready for a road trip!

It would be lovely to get access to the payscale, not only of the CEO, but also the state “chairmen” and other leaders. Their retirement and healthcare costs would also be useful. I suspect that the salary of the CEO far exceeds ALL spending directed to local shelters…

I am totally shocked to hear that local shelters do not get the help that I thought they were getting from the HSUS.  I will make sure my help goes to a local shelter now.  Thank you for your information and for caring so much.

I adopt locally and support the local (MI Humane Soc) because I know it stays here. And I would rather donate thing (good food, toys, laundry detergent and cleaning needs) than money. So far I have adopted 3 cats from them.

I give -to the shelter- and not through fundrasing letters processed in the midwest.  If I’m giving to a shelter or rescue, I want them to get all of what I’m giving.  As for HSUS, they won’t get a penny from me.

Thank you! This is a lovely idea and my house is FULL of shelter/rescue pets. Not all of them like to pose for the camera but if I can get them to do it, I got four more coming at cha! Keep the money local!!

When will people wake up It’s sad to see hard working local humane society people having to do so much wit so little, while HSUS, DC, shows up, at press time, blowing their horn claimng to do so much but actually does very little.

I have been a member for more than 10yrs..To read this i am appauled!Its like a thief that breaks into ur home & takes money that u work hard for little bit at a time.And then says its ok cause its going towards the animals who depends on us 100 percent.Only to find out its lineing the pocket of these so call CEOs & others of greed!Shame on you HSU,you will NOT get another dime from me!I only hope the world finds out what your doing,thats not much.And i hope they do the same as me.We are there voice,now its time for us to speak up!For the ANIMALS..Julie

I have been taking care of more and more stray cats every year for the last 10 years.  I wrote a letter to HSUS and asked for help re-homing, nothing more, and they told me they could not, and would not help me.  And I wasn’t asking for money!

why doen’t everyone boycott HSU and stop sending them monies and put their monies into their local NO KILL shelters and the people who do the good work and who take care of the animals. People wake up and stop wasting your money on people who r not taking care of the animals….

yes we are the voices for the animals

I suspected as much and I stopped sending $$ to the ASPCA as well as HSUS. We have a rescue who came to us through a local Vet Hospital(indirectly) and we give to the local shelter now.

The grapevine says HSUS is beginning to farm out their lobbying efforts in state legislature to hired lobbying groups.  In some states, the HSUS reputation is so tarnished that anything HSUS and PETA sponsors is DOA “dead on arrival”.  I think some state HSUS directors have stopped using the “lobby” word and are begining to hide in the closet. 

It also smells like IRS is closing in.  I sure hope so.

I am a volunteer with my local Humane Society.  I know first-hand how hard it is for the shelters.  We do what we can with what money we have, but we are constantly having to ask our supporters for things like cat litter and donations to have an animal taken to the vet in the instance of illness or injury.  It saddens me that while the HSUS is paying their fatcat CEOs large sums, our furbabies, who truly need the money are going without.

My husband rescue dogs and we also gave to the HSUS, but no more.  However, we are at a quandary as to where to give since there is a legal battle going on between the city and the local humane society over an incident where several dogs were injured and one was killed.  So, for now we will use our money to care for the 10 dogs and one cat we have rescued and help other animals that may come to our door.

If anyone, know a good humane society or shelter to donate to in Arkansas, please let me know.

As someone who works directly in rescue of animals that would undoubtedly be put down” at a local animal shelter - I’d ask Chloe and others who are looking for a better, more “hands-on” place to donate to—include your local rescue groups - often they’re doing the lion’s share of rescue & care & rehoming of animals that wouldn’t have a chance otherwise (those deemed too young/too old/too black/or if they sneeze or have a flea or two).

I had the honor of having a rescued dog as part of our family.His name was Diablo he was a red Doberman he was abused at the hand’s of his previous owner.We left us 9 yrs ago.I still donate every year in the form of Supplie’s.We have to more addition’s to our family a Pup that was not wanted Farm dog,Achilles and his name is exactly what he is !!!!!!.And a Siberian Husky a puppy mill dog Nanook.

Just another way for someone to make a buck.They know how much animal people love there animals, knowing they could scam them out of money. With no concern what so ever about any shelters needs, much less all the animals.They have taken care of themselves. There time will come and they will be judged! Try to be very careful were you donate your monies. Do it local, that way you kind of know what is happening with it. Also I agree with the one lady, just donate food, blanket,toys etc.Another sure way the animals are getting what we donate. It is so sad that the world is full of love for greed and hate for caring. If we loved the world and hated things just think how little need there would be for anyone or creature!We would all be taking care of each other like it suppose to be. God Help Us.

Local does not necessarily mean they are honest and above board either.  Please ask questions and get to know how your local shelters are run and what the people are like who run them…..visit the shelter, find out what their policies are, etc….big isnt always bad and small isnt always good….there is good and bad in both….investigate and ask tough questions ...that will give you all the answers you need.  If they are at all defensive or hesitant, go elsewhere.  One main rule of thumb, if any shelter is adopting out pets that are not spayed/neutered, that is unacceptable.  There are many legitimate shelters and rescue groups, you just need to do your research.

I have rescued dog and cats for 40 plus years and USED to give money faithfully to HSUS until I found out about their ‘spending’ habits…SHAMEFUL!  If you don’t have a local shelter to give to, find a breed-specific rescue to help (foster, transfers) or adopt another friend!

i love hearin stories like this i love animals n cry when i see those sad commercilas on tv if i had alot of money i would open up my own animal shelter recue them but keep them for life n take care of them i hate seein animals abused n hurt they have feelings too i have a little chuwawa i rescued 5yrs ago n a half lab half pit that was taken from his mom when he was only 3 weeks old i took care of him as if he was my baby he is a beautiful lovin friendly dog now i love them both so much zeeky who is the big 1 is my teddybear my little 1 peanut love me but when my husband is home hes daddys lillte boy no1 can touch him r my husnabd lol…they r like my children mine r all grown i spoil them n love them so so much….please every1 keep helping on saving these pets they deserve they make you laugh fell loved and count on you they are like your children keep them safe from mean ignorent people….thank you…..

Hello I may have not got my baby through the Humane Shelter I called an got Miss Daisy Mae Through the adds in the paper but she was not wantted an I just fell in love with her the first time I saw her.

I donate food, cat litter and treats to my local shelter. I also bring newspapers and old blankets or toys, but I told my daughter to adopt cats there and they came home with ringworm and infested their home and her family. They had to pay over a thousand dollars to treat her cats and family.
I will not ever give them money, but the animals should not suffer.

I have never given to a national group as we have a local shelter that needs so much help. It is to them I donate monies and whenever I go to Petco to buy my cats’ food I also buy another big bag & donate it. The staff truly seem apreciative & I know I am helping to feed the sheltered. I encourage EVERYONE to stay local…they desperately need the help and are grateful for anythign you give!

I had limited my efforts to transporting dogs to new homes until I recently saw an email regarding small breed dogs to be put to sleep in the Puppy Mill where they had been worked out, by the next day. I responded and took three Maltese into my home with my own pets. With my age and health conditions I never planned to become a “shelter” but that’s what’s happened. We are all working with the leavings of the major organizations like HSUS and ASPCA. There is nothing left for the people on the ground doing the hands on care of the dogs. Those dogs are still living in my kitchen, eating what I pay for and being treated by my vet at my expense. Anywhere I turned for help was in over their heads as I am. No money or space available. unless they took their chances at a kill shelter and in their condition, they would never be seen with hopes of adoption. I have found a home for one and another is almost well enough and socialized enough for a chance. The third dog will probably never leave my house. We will live on SS together because the big organizations suck up all the money needed by those working with the dogs.

Give locally and you can see where your money goes to. If you live in NYC give to the CACC or volunteer there. Call them and see what kinds of donations they need. They may need things like towels and food. It doesn’t always have to be money. Or give your time.

I foster dogs,puppies,cats and kittens from the Humane Society of Greater Dayton and I love it! I started because didnt have much money to donabte.I will continue because its one of the most rewarding experiences of my life! I HIGHLY suggest anyone to try this way of paying it foward especially if giving financially isnt a option you may have in todays economy.The volunteers that spend their time at the shelter walking dogs and loving on the cats are some people I look up to the most in my life!

Unfortunately, Patti posted above, didn’t realize just how common ringworm is.. and who spends $1000 to get rid of it?  What happened to common sense and over-the-counter athlete’s foot cream?
But, back on topic: my Gigi is the brightest little gal ever to spend 10 weeks in our local shelter. My Buddy Boy is the handsomest big, dark grey tabby, also a rescue from the local shelter…and last but not least, Hunny, a full cocker spaniel was owner released and left at a So. Cal shelter in my old home town. Hunny was at least 8 years old when I took her home.

Aw guys - you know they don’t actually hoard all the money. They spend *very* generously on lobbying and politics.

And hey - that might not be so bad if it weren’t for the fact that the laws they lobby for are funneling *more* animals into kill shelters. To add insult to injury, not only do they offer only the tiniest fraction of their income to shelters, they actively *oppose* no-kill sheltering!

*That* should be the biggest outrage!

I was among the percentages of misinformed about HSUS.  I’ve now been educated about their deception.  I have two rescue cats, one of which was adopted from MHS, Westland.  The other was a stray who chose us as her forever home, though I think my dad sent her to us from Heaven.  He passed the year before she came to live with us, he knew our 21 year old cat would not be with us much longer.  Destiny made Ira’s last days more fun, and helped us bear her loss when the time came.

I adopted my Gizmo from the shelter. I fell in love with him the minute I saw him.He was in pretty bad shape but I knew he needed me.  I brought him home and it took me about six months to get his skin cleared up and his stomach issues. I would not take a million dollars for him. He is my best friend.  He was two years old when I got him and is now 11 years old. I donate newspapers and dog food and money to my local Humane Society.  These dogs are so in need of love and a home.  I praise the day I went to take the newspapers and saw him. Brought him home that day and he has been right by my side ever since.

I just emailed our state director (Oklahoma) and asked about to see their financial records, and what they’ve done for our local animal shelter’s bond issue next week to improve and enlarge the facility.  I will keep you all posted. This is not the first I’ve heard of negative comments about the HS, but I wanted to check it out for myself.

We have lots of rescues, 3 dogs, 5 cats and two horses.  HSUS is not the only rescue group that is scamming the public.  GFAS is a spin off of the HSUS and they are just as bad or worse.  I now just take in animals and help them directly.  When we loose one we replace it with the next one that needs a home.  I did work for a rescue for some time and although supplies are good and much appreciated, money is necessary.  Vet bills are often the biggest expense of a rescue and those have to be paid in cash.  If you just want to rescue a pet and have the money to pay vet bills think about rescuing an animal with health issues.  That will save it’s life and take the pressure off the rescue.

Kathy gambell:

You are not the first to be snubbed/insulted by HSUS.  The Greensboro News and Record, Greensboro, NC, Oct. 30, 2011 published “150 cats seized in Reidsville, NC”.  The lady and her husband had been operating a private rescue shelter (with their own money) that accepted cats, dogs and rabbits that otherwise would have been put down at the pound.  They said all cats had been spayed/neutered and were up to date on shots.  They needed help to place the animals in forever homes.  They called the Humane Society Of the U.S. (HSUS) for help in placing the animals.  Instead of helping, the HSUS director of NC accused them of hoarding and triggered a raid by the Rockingham Co. Sheriff and Animal Control that seized 150 cats, several dogs and rabbits.  The RC Animal Control Director said, some had to be put down.  (Local FaceBook discussion says more than 100 animals have been put down. The RCACD has refused to say how many were put down.)  The RC shelter is supposed to be holding the rest for adoption.  (The RC shelter was probably too small to handle that many animals, plus others on hand at the same time.) Meaning, because of a lack of space some were euthanized and after a period of time, those left will be put down.  Was this all legal?  I don’t know.  A search and seizure warrant does not grant possession.  Only the owners or a court can do that.

HSUS is a vegan, radical animal rights group that wants to HELP put all animal owners out of business, period.

I have 6 locally adopted cats and 2 locally adopted dogs all happy & healthy! I have never given to the National Humane Society because here’s another fact about them: they use your contributions to lobby for anti-hunting legislation!!! How does that relate to saving dogs n cats??? IT DOSEN’T!

I have cancelled my monthly donation to HSUS. I am so upset about how little of my hard earned money goes to the animals. I will send my donation to two rescue agencies in my locale instead.

I always wondered when I got so many charity “requests” from subsidiaries of HSUS, like Wildlife Land Trust and Legislative Fund, how rich they must be.Thanks to you, I will re-direct AND investigate local shelters before I give away what gets me overdrawn occasionally!
Even PETA has a secret subsidiary I just noticed by reading the phone reference on FACEBOOK!You are truly a God-send to the animals and us poor bleeding-hearts out here!

tried to call humane society after one of my dogs may have eaten one of my meds, the wanted an $88 donation before they would answer the phone.

Our local Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region is the best! I have personally put in a bazillion hours fostering kittens and pregnant mom dog/pups and love to see the ongoing dedication of the HSPPR and their volunteers. They often have cat adoption free days and the like, and many fun events to get us all to support pets and HSPPR, etc.

My LS Nellie is a terrior-ist rescue from ARF (Tony La Russa’s rescue shelter), I have had many shelter dogs, & PB Irish Wolfhounds..
I have been campaigning relentlessly in the past several years against H$U$/PETA…who a determined to eliminate all! companion animals..they have tried mandatory spay neuter laws in Calif (unsucessfully) as well as state nationwide (some succesfully)
I urge you to contribute to rescue shelters in your area..

Great idea I want to share for the holidays: give in someone’s honor to their LOCAL shelters/rescues, send recipient a card with gift note. Charities are some of the hardest hit in these econ. times and so your friend , the animals and you all help the community YOU live in be a better place- and it dosen’t get lost/damaged in shipping!!!!  And its tax deductable for 2011!

You can see Wayne Pacelle’s salary here:

http://humanewatch.org/index.php/site/post/meet_the_2.6_million_dollar_man/

@ Dawn H…

What the friggin heck?!! How do these people look them selves in the mirror?! I am only beginning my education into the corrupt practices of the HSUS and other so-called animal “welfare” orgs.

The HSUS in Missouri showed it’s true colors when I brought them a stray I had rescued. The little kitten was about 8 weeks old. She had a flea treatment and tested neg for FLV/FIV before I brought her to our home for a few weeks. Deciding my house was full and wallet was empty, I brought her tearfully to the HS in Maryland Hts. They would not let me see where she would be staying, were very rude. I gave them a small donation to help. A week later, realizing what a treasure she was, I rearranged my budget and found room for one more. They would not let me have her back until I paid them $200 and she was spayed, which they do at two months!! They treated me like I didn’t care about animals. My vet even called and pleaded for them not to spay her so young. They hung up on him. Finally, a week later, we got them to let me come and apply to adopt her. They had changed her name, destroyed the records I brought with her, given her a double flea treatment, threw away her favorite toys, redid the tests, and already spayed her! She was terrified but I sat in the little room and held her and talked to her. They sent five different people in to interrogate me. The manager called me a hoarder. Finally they called my vet who said I was a great pet owner, so they grudgingly let me adopt her for $100. Her stomach was swollen so I took her right to the vet. He monitored her until she healed properly. He said it was a miracle she survived. Now she is queen of the house and plays and cuddles. She is so special I hate that she had to go through all that. I love her and my other pets dearly.

Also, when I was at the HS, they had a group of unrelated male cats together in a big enclosure and one was being bullied. I tried to get them to do something but they told me I was mistaken and obviously didn’t know anything about animals.

They will never get another cent from me.

Of the 4 pets (3 dogs, 1 cat) we’ve owned over the last 15 years 1 dog was from a local shelter, the others were adopted from people whose pets had unexpected litters from females that they wanted to give away. We are down to the last pet,not the one from the shelter. Is he technically a rescue if he was never at a rescue?

I am so excited to do this! All but one of my dogs are either shelter rescues or rescued from being taken to the shelter. Shelter pups are the best!! I am the vice president of our local FFA chapter here in Halls, TN (West TN) and we are running a pet food drive for our local animal shelter. We are also collecting dog food bowls and small litter boxes. We just made our first donation and I got to be the one to take it to the shelter. It was such an amazing feeling to see the thankful owners. Our county is very rural and so our local shelter gets very little funding. But they are finally trying to make a change they have just now started using petfinder.com and their adoptions have doubled! I learned about HSUS last year from my agriculture teacher when she gave me a speech on their effects on agriculture and told me to memorize it and learn about the topic. I am appalled at all the damage they have done but I have to say I’m glad people are beginning to see the light.
DONATE, EDUCATE, ADOPT LOCALLY!

I have 5 rescue kitties and one has FiV. We have sheltered and gotten medical care and rehomed many. We donate in the form of supplies to the local shelter in whatever town we are in. One state seems to have some decent vets who do spay/neuter surgery quite cheap- as in 15$ for males, 28$ for females. North Dakota is the state. Since we travel for work, our 5 live in our RV with us and travel quite well!  I will post pics later. 2 were adopted kittens, one is a huge 44” Maine Coon w/papers ( he was taken from an abusive family) who chose us as his new parents, one is still a huge fraidy cat after 5 years, and of course the FIV Russian blue who has absolutely astounded us with his personality. He came indoors voluntarily 5 years ago on Xmas eve with very little fur left, a broken tail, broken fangs, and an abcess behind one ear. And FIV. 5 years later, although he has had to have some teeth removed due to his FiV status, he is a healthy 14 lb Russian blue Foldear. He was indeed the biggest surprise. He even answers when you talk to him!
So that’s my rescue story, and I wish all the other rescue folks my very best! Politics really have no place in this arena. Most of love our pets as we do our own kids. They deserve the same respect- they didn’t ask to be here or to be dumped off someplace.

at least you have shelters, I live in Iran and they kill stray dogs!!! all of them, if you have a pet dog and it’s in your car they will kill it too, cats die everyday in the street and there’s not much I can do but feed the ones I can and rescue one or two every year. I wish something could be done about the condition of animals in Iran whether pet or wild!

Hey to the moderators…I’d like to be able to “like” comments, facebook-style, lol…

Anyway, I run a dog rescue out of my home in city limits of Modesto, CA, if you want to rescue animals, don’t wait for lots of money or a big property because it just won’t happen.  You can rescue 1 or 2 animals at a time and be sure NOT TO LOSE YOUR PERSPECTIVE.  It’s a hard lesson, but trying to care for too many animals at once is cruel to you & the animals. 

The best thing anyone can do it is preach spay & neuter high and low, help people get their bitches spayed, offer to take the animals to appt., whatever you can do to eliminate excuses.  TNR for feral cats is the way to go, some local orgs will do it for $20/cat!  Keep your kitties indoors when possible! 

Okay, off my soap box, just some hard lessons learned in the last 6 yrs of my rescue career

All this time I’ve been wearing my ASPCA.ORG bracelet proudly, and donating every year. Well “NO MORE”! From now on I’am donating locally only.

I’m rather dismayed to hear the claims against the HSUS, an organization to which I’ve donated on a regular basis.  Please direct me to any articles or websites with specific claims against the HSUS so that I can make an informed decision about my donations.  Thanks.

Im reading all these posts with tears in my eyes. Im an animal lover to the end. I own 5 poms and 2 cats.I cant image life without them. I also watch tv and cry over them. I stopped giving to big corps for the same reason. They do nothing for the animal.If more little people stood together that would help. Theres a women I know that just started feeding stray cats, she feeds around 40 of them. She doesnt ask for money just food and supplies. Im following her lead. Its very rewarding at the end of the day to know I may have saved a cat.A big thanks to all the animal lovers out there that really just care about the animal.

I LEARNED A LONG TIME AGO THE HUMANE SOCIETY WAS A ‘RICH’ HOME FOR ANIMALS AND DID NOT USE THE $$$ DONATED FOR THEM.
WE HAVE MINIATURE HORSES AND DO ALOT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE. LAST YEAR MY HUSBAND WAS SANTA FOR A COMMUNITY PARTY FOR CHILDREN, THEY ASK WHAT WE CHARGED AND WERE TOLD IT WAS STRICTLY DONATION, THEY DONATED $400 AND ALL OF IT WENT TO THE COUNTY SHELTER.. I TAKE OLD SHEETS, BLANKETS ETC. STICK TO YOUR GUNS AND SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHELTER

I was shocked and appalled at all these testimonies and people dealings with HSUS as I’ve been a faithful contributor For years…..Not another cent from me….

I suggest everyone (including HumaneWatch) check out Best Friends. They’re the organization that took in Michael Vick’s pit bulls and rehabbed them. I think they do extrordinary work and they do spend their money on the animals. They also help out states with low funds for dealing with puppy mills, etc. And they’re species-neutral—they’ll help horses, pigs, any unwanted or abused domestic animals. They also deserve our support.

Am I the only one who knew that HSUS did not give money to our local shelters? I never thought that they did. We have to take care of our community’s animal shelters ourselves, not depend on anyone else to do it for us. I still will continue to support PETA and HSUS, but also my local animal shelters. The HSUS is not vegan nor an animal right terrorist group!!!!!  Please, people do not state things that are not true. Even if they were vegan, it has nothing to do with their helping animals. I am a vegetarian and have been for 19 years. I also plan on going to law school so I can work with prosecutors to put animal abusers in jail.