HSUS Gets Another 'D" from Charity Watchdog

The Humane Society of the United States has once again gotten a “D” grade from the American Institute of Philanthropy/CharityWatch, according to the group’s August Charity Rating Guide. CharityWatch has now given HSUS a “D” grade for two years. (It previously had a “C-minus”—which would still get you grounded by your parents.)

CharityWatch writes in an accompanying article that HSUS gets a “D” for “spending paltry amounts on their programs and maintaining high fundraising costs.” The watchdog finds that HSUS spends as little as half of its budget on programs and spends as much as 48 cents to raise every dollar. HSUS is a factory fundraising machine—and a deceptive one, at that.

To learn more or to become a member of CharityWatch, Click Here.

HSUS Fall Flat in the Hoosier State

The Humane Society of the United States was at the Indiana State Fair pushing a federal egg mandate that's before Congress. That’s a tough task for a group that’s on the record as wanting to get rid of animal agriculture. Apparently HSUS and its six-figure CEO Wayne Pacelle tried to hold some kind of press event to gin up support for the bill they’re pushing. We say “tried” because Pacelle didn’t appear to draw much of a crowd (see below).

A little birdie emailed us the details:

Apparently, when Pacelle took to the microphone, the TV cameraman started panning the audience (or lack thereof) and packed up and left in the middle of his presentation. Must have been tough since all of the old tractors that are right there in Pioneer Village simultaneously (and completely coincidentally ;-)) were cranked up just as Pacelle took the microphone . . .

If ever there was a non-event, this was it.

No kidding. Where are all those “11 million supporters” that HSUS claims to have?

Sorry, Wayne. Better luck next time. But we wouldn’t count on it. (HumaneWatch, August 15, 12)

Did Anyone See the Documentary "One Nation Under Dog: Stories of Fear, Loss and Betrayal" on HBO?

Did anyone see the documentary "One Nation Under Dog: Stories of Fear, Loss and Betrayal" that aired on HBO?  It is a documentary about America's relationship with dogs and some of the problems these pets face.  HSUS's PR office is busy promoting the HBO documentary, but why don't they do more for these animal shelters?  We would love to know your thoughts!

Humane Watch's Pledge to Shut Down Their Site

This weekend marks the 2nd anniversary of The HumaneWatch 50% Pledge.  They promise to shut down their website for good if the Humane Society of the United States makes one simple promise:  to give 50% of its budget to pet shelters.  Currently, HSUS gives 1% of its budget to hands-on pet shelters.  In a recent poll of HSUS donors, many of them would have reconsidered their gifts if they only knew the truth.  To learn more about their pledge, visit humanewatch.org.

90 Percent of HSUS Donors Are in the Dark

HUMANEWATCH.ORG has already established through public polling that the vast majority of Americans—you know, the regular folks who are the targets of HSUS’s disclaimer-less, deceptive TV ads—mistakenly believe that HSUS is a pet shelter umbrella group.  Read more...(Humane Watch, May 15, 2012)