40 Tons of Self Promotion

Here we go again. The Humane Society of the United States is hosting a nifty little video today, showing 40 tons of pet food and cat litter that Mars Petcare and Arm & Hammer donated to a shelter in Alabama.

Watch carefully and ask yourself a few questions:

• Why did HSUS put its people front-and-center on this?
• Did HSUS donate any more of its vegetarian pet food, or any (*gasp*) money? Or did it just provide a truck driver?
• Did these two companies ask HSUS to promote their gifts, or did the animal rights group flex its PR muscle all by itself?

Enquiring minds want to know.

Note: Clicking on the orange button above (like hundreds of similar devices based on HSUS's website) will whisk you to a web page asking for money. You've been warned.

Got a comment? Be sure to leave your thoughts below. From August 23 to October 29, 2010 we will be choosing the two best comments each week of 25 words or more, and awarding $100 (each) to the local pet shelters of the commenters' choice. Click here for more information and the official rules.