See How Little the Humane Society of the U.S. Gives to Your State

Have you seen the ads on TV with the slow piano music and the tear-jerking images of cats and dogs? Ever gotten a letter in the mail asking for a donation to help needy pets? You may be shocked to learn that the group behind these solicitations, the Humane Society of the United States, is actually not affiliated with your local humane society pet shelter, and runs zero pet shelters.

In fact, of the $100 million-plus raised by the Humane Society of the United States every year, only about 1% is given to local pet shelters, according to the group’s tax return. Instead, millions are put into the group’s pension plan every year ($2.8 million in 2016), and millions more are spent on large salaries (CEO Wayne Pacelle made over $400,000 last year). Out of every dollar spent by HSUS, 52 cents goes toward fundraising-related expenses.

You can find your local pet shelter here if you’d like to make a donation to help needy animals in your community. And feel free to share the map below so that other animal lovers know to give local—not to the Humane Society of the United States.