tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20236683.post640710797963273526..comments2019-05-24T05:33:28.069-04:00Comments on Dog Federation of New York: The only New York organization dedicated to protecting the rights of caring dog ownershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524653567624075562noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20236683.post-47804964661347833642010-04-15T09:46:57.496-04:002010-04-15T09:46:57.496-04:00The facts are the facts. Nothing in Hillary's...The facts are the facts. Nothing in Hillary's response changes them.<br /><br />HSUS most emphatically does NOT “dedicate [its] budget to broader animal cruelty issues.” HSUS charges the shelters it “works closely with” significant fees for services provided. <br /><br />HSUS is a lobbying machine. To quote HSUS CEO and President Wayne Pacelle, as published in the L A Times on April 8, 2010:<br /><i>People know what happened in California, and they know it can happen again and again. They know that no group has passed more ballot measures than we have. They know we have a focused strategy. They know we have a budget of $150 million a year. And they know we're ready for a fight.</i><br /><br />And yet the HSUS website reads: <b>“Your donation will be used to stop animal cruelty inflicted by individuals and institutions, to rescue and shelter animals during times of disaster, and so much more.</b><br /><br />No mention of paying for lobbyists at state capitals, though. Americans do not understand what HSUS is, and visiting HSUS' website isn't helpful.<br /><br />A significant portion of HSUS’ budget goes to the salary, benefits and retirement fund for its executives. The Charity Navigator 2009 CEO Compensation study indicates that Mr. Pacelle’s salary is about 43 percent higher than the average for a charity CEO in Washington, DC. To quote HumaneWatch.org, “Since 2004 (when “Humane Wayne” Pacelle took over), the HSUS pension slush fund has grown by more than $8.5 million. Instead of helping dogs and cats in pet shelters, that money will be fattening the wallets of HSUS big shots after they retire”. <br /><br />As for HSUS’ continuing difficulties with both the IRS and the federal courts as it prepares to defend against racketeering allegations, and a possible tax audit: we have every confidence that justice will be served and that an organization which continues to solicit donations “to rescue and shelter animals” will get its just come uppance. <br /> <br />We do agree with Hillary on one point, though: HSUS’ work does speak for itself.The only New York organization dedicated to protecting the rights of caring dog ownershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15524653567624075562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20236683.post-53174745104859688472010-04-13T14:51:45.745-04:002010-04-13T14:51:45.745-04:00As someone who works at the Humane Society of the ...As someone who works at the Humane Society of the U.S., I'd like to address several points in this letter. First and foremost, the HSUS is not affiliated with local animal shelters, so it shouldn't be surprising that we dedicate our budget to tackling broader animal cruelty issues like puppy mills, factory farming, and Canada's seal hunt. Nowhere do we claim to run or oversee animal shelters. Our organization works closely with a number of shelters, but all of them are entirely independent entities. <br /><br />The HSUS has been regularly audited by the IRS and our organization’s tax-exempt status has been confirmed.<br /><br />The Fund for Animals, ASPCA, and Animal Welfare Institute were the original plaintiffs in the Ringling case in 2000, not the HSUS. After nearly a decade of litigation, we are disappointed that the court dismissed this case on the technical issue of standing, and never even considered the key question of whether Ringling Bros. is violating the Endangered Species Act. The idea that one of the witnesses was a paid plaintiff is nonsense and won’t stand up on appeal.<br /><br />The work of the HSUS speaks for itself, and anyone can find out more by going to humanesociety.org. Although the issues we tackle extend well beyond companion animals, we are pet owners ourselves and we support reputable dog breeders.Hillary, HSUShttp://www.humanesociety.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20236683.post-27582165917925913432010-04-10T15:36:47.607-04:002010-04-10T15:36:47.607-04:00Absolutely! Please feel free to send the letter t...Absolutely! Please feel free to send the letter to any NYS public official.<br /><br />We have updated the post to include links to the reference material we sent to Senator Stavisky, so that you can easily include it in your letters, too.The only New York organization dedicated to protecting the rights of caring dog ownershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15524653567624075562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20236683.post-86374890543192370882010-04-10T11:03:47.733-04:002010-04-10T11:03:47.733-04:00wow.. can the rest of us use this letter to send t...wow.. can the rest of us use this letter to send to our legislators.. you know the ones who love those awards.. meanwhile make sure you check out who the HSUS has donated to.. as see if it "gels"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com