Who’s Propping Up HSUS’s Lobbying Arm?

Humane Society of the United States CEO Wayne “I don’t love animals” Pacelle likes to complain about the supposedly “shadowy” money that supports campaigns critical of his organization. Maybe he should look in his own backyard.

According to the tax return of the Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF)—HSUS’s lobbying arm—a mere two anonymous donors provided 50% of the organization’s funds in 2012. Those two donors provided $2.6 million to fund HSLF’s rabid attack campaign during the election season. (Members of Congress have already written the IRS about HSUS’s potentially excessive lobbying, but HSLF is a separate group that is allowed to do more political activity.)

Who are these sugar daddies? We have guesses, but it’s hard to say. HSLF is only required to publicly disclose the amount it received, but not identifying information. But one thing this does reveal is that HSLF is anything but a “grassroots” group. It’s animal-rights astroturf.