Thank you for your help in your local shelter. I too volunteer my time every week at my local humane society and do everything I possibly can to stop the killing of healthy, adoptable cats and dogs where I live.
There is a common misconception about the relationship between local humane societies and the Humane Society of the United States. Many people think that they are one in the same, but the reality is that they are very different and separate entities.
As always, we can look directly to the HSUS website to find out exactly what they do for local humane societies.
1. They provide national shelter standards, guidelines and recommendations for care and operations.
2. They offer a Animal Services Consultation (ASC) program, which provides in-depth animal shelter evaluations (unfortunately, this is a program that the HSUS charges several thousand dollars for and many shelters cannot afford it).
3. They provide training programs. (again, these are not free and most of the time local shelters cannot afford them)
4. They offer shelters a bi-monthly magazine.
5. They provide outreach through their website to "help citizens find, understand and support their local shelters, plus classroom support for humane education programs".
6. They offer a cooperative buying service to provide discounts to shelters on a wide variety of products and services. (kind of like CostCo or BJ's for shelters ... btw, according to their tax filings HSUS makes money off of products purchased through this buyers program)
7. "Inspiration and direction in the establishment of a new federation of humane societies." (I'm not even sure what this means?)
8. Disaster assistance, including on-the-scene leadership in the collection and care of animals during crises. Plus, The HSUS assists in the rebuilding of animal shelters damaged in disasters, and supplements local budgets for unexpected disaster expenses.
9. Direct and indirect support for spay and neuter programs.
10. Standby assistance for a variety of other needs including
legislation, operational guidance and more.
11. Fundraising events for local shelters and rescue groups, such as Walk for the Animals and Spay Day USA.
12. Financial assistance in the form of scholarships, periodic grants and other opportunities.
13. National and global advocacy for the core mission and values of America's animal shelters.
This line from the HSUS website is very important ...
"By long-standing tradition, local humane societies remain independent entities, each with its own policies, governance, and priorities".
You can find all of the information above on the HSUS website at this link -
http://www.hsus.org/pets/animal_shel..._for_shelters/
AmericanHumane.org estimates that there are 3,500 shelters operating within the United States although the exact number is unknown ... if you take the $6,774,268.00 from the HSUS 2008 annual report that they say they spent on animal care facilities and assume that they divided that money equally between the 3,500 shelters ... what you get is $1,935.50 ... $1,935.50 is what the HSUS financially contributes to each US shelter. 180 million dollars a year in donations and they give each shelter that they are helping $1,935.50. That pays for one minimum wage employee to work at a shelter for about 6 weeks.
Shame on them.
The even sadder part is that the HSUS operates 5 of it's own animal care facilities Nationwide ... so that $6,774,268.00 from their annual report that was spent on animal care facilities also includes the money that directly went to the 5 facilities that they run ... including a 1,300 acre ranch in Texas ... leaving less money for local shelters.
So to be clear, the Humane Society of the United States doesn't run, fund, own, or directly participate in the day to day operations of local humane societies and shelters. They are more like a trade organization that provides standards, publishes a magazine, charges money for some services, and gives a little money here and there to help out with local shelters. This isn't opinion, it's fact based on information freely available on the HSUS website.
$180,000,000.00 a year in charitable donations, and that's how they're supporting your local shelter ... Shame on them.
The confusion comes from the fact that many people actually believe that the HSUS is directly running local humane societies and the Humane Society of the United States is happy to let them believe that. Why you ask?
$180,000,000.00 a year in charitable donations.
I'll say it one more time ... Shame on them.
Blessings,
-adam
