HSUS is the enemy of all pet keepers

[ColinWeaver]

I knew my worlds would collide one day....

First off, I do understand where you are coming from. HSUS has a lot of power and backing and are not looking very nicely upon Reptile Nation.

... WAH, WAH, WAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, WAH, WAH ...

I am not a fighter, I do not want to get involved in a HUGE debate, but I wanted to share another side of the coin with you....

The Devil often masquerades as an Angel. It is a powerful technique that appears to have worked on you...

[Ridley]

I knew my worlds would collide one day....

First off, I do understand where you are coming from. HSUS has a lot of power and backing and are not looking very nicely upon Reptile Nation.
BUT, please don't be ignorant.
To say HSUS, "do not take care of puppies and kittens. They have nothing to do with your local Humane Society," is wrong.
When I worked at the local animal shelter we were supported by HSUS. When Katrina and Rita happened we took in HUNDREDS of animals from the south and cared for them, re-connected them with their owners, and adopted out the ones that we couldn't find the owners to.
HSUS organized the animals coming to, not only us, but MANY other shelters. They funded all flights and funded care as well.
HSUS while perhaps is doing some things that not everyone agrees with, so are a lot of organizations.
No one can deny that there is a large python issue in Florida. And HSUS may be standing up to help that.
No, a lot of reptile organization and rescues do not receive anything from HSUS, but that's because reptiles are not in the same situation with population as dogs and cats, YET. At this point this is HSUS's main focus.
Perhaps HSUS is getting incorrect information as well.
MAYBE Reptile Nation should focus on trying to (and, yes, it will be hard) education HSUS and band WITH them for all animals great and small. If we could be under HSUS's wing think of the places we could go....

I am not a fighter, I do not want to get involved in a HUGE debate, but I wanted to share another side of the coin with you....

Ahh, one of the democrat/hsus loving sheeple I see. Take your blinders off

[Corvid]

I am hardly Democratic and do not Love HSUS.
I am not a member of HSUS, I don't even donate money to them.

Like said I don't want to start a huge fight, and I will not participate.

I was simply sharing my FIRST-HAND experience with HSUS.

I was trying to bring a different prespective to this matter, I thought that's what forums were for. I now regret sharing because of narrow-minded people making personal attacks towards me.

[wilomn]

I am hardly Democratic and do not Love HSUS.
I am not a member of HSUS, I don't even donate money to them.

Like said I don't want to start a huge fight, and I will not participate.

I was simply sharing my FIRST-HAND experience with HSUS.

I was trying to bring a different prespective to this matter, I thought that's what forums were for. I now regret sharing because of narrow-minded people making personal attacks towards me.

Surely you're tougher than this?

One guy disagreeing in an unpleasant manner and you're done?

Really?

[Adam_Wysocki]

I was simply sharing my FIRST-HAND experience with HSUS.

Since we're in a sharing kind of mood, I'll share my first hand experience with HSUS.

The Humane Society of the United States insists that people should not in any circumstance keep reptiles or amphibians as pets. It is their goal to end the hobby/business of the majority of the members and visitors of this site for no other reason than because they feel that they know better then you what is best for animals.

From their website in a Q&A ...

QUESTION: "Should Individuals Keep Wild or Exotic Animals as Pets?"

HSUS ANSWER: "No. Wild and exotic (non-native) animals are unsuitable for home rearing and handling."

QUESTION: "When Is Captivity Justified?"

HSUS ANSWER: "Wild animals should only be kept in captivity by professional zoological facilities."

You can find the full Q&A here ... http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/issues_...otic_pets.html

Oh, so you're one of those people that doesn't believe that the HSUS really means ball pythons or small lizards when they refer to "wild animals"? Think again ....

FROM THE HSUS WEBSITE: "What are they? Agoutis, chameleons, coatimundis, hedgehogs, iguanas, marmosets, monkeys (or even chimpanzees), prairie dogs, pythons, servals, sugar gliders ... they all share one critical trait: They're wild." (full text at this link - http://www.hsus.org/archive/about_us...rent_wild.html)

Wait, maybe you're now going to say that the HSUS isn't talking about captive bred animals ... oh no? hmmm

FROM THE HSUS WEBSITE: "But wild or exotic animals—even those who were captive-born or hand-raised by people—have not been adjusted to life with humans. Doing so takes generation after generation. So keeping them as pets is usually inhumane" (full text at this link - http://www.hsus.org/archive/about_us...rent_wild.html)

Well, you must be thinking now that maybe they have a point ... maybe the HSUS knows what they're talking about after all ... heaven knows that they wouldn't make stuff up ... they certainly wouldn't LIE for any reason. oh no?

LIE FROM THE HSUS WEBSITE: "All reptiles and amphibians carry salmonella" (full text at this link - http://www.hsus.org/archive/about_us...rent_wild.html)

LIE FROM THE HSUS WEBSITE: "Most pet reptiles are wild-caught or born to wild-caught parents. And perhaps 90 percent of wild-caught reptiles die in their first year of captivity from trauma during capture and shipment and their often unmet dietary and habitat needs." (full text at this link - http://www.hsus.org/archive/about_us...rent_wild.html)

So excuse me for being a little bent that you're on this website advocating working with an organization that believes that I shouldn't have the right to own animals that I have passionately and meticulously cared for for almost 30 years. How exactly are we supposed to work with that?

And for whatever it's worth, if you review the Humane Society of the United States' IRS form 990's or Annual Reports for the last 5 years (all of which are freely available on their website) you'd find that less than 5% of their entire charitable income is spent on puppies and kittens. For every dollar donated to the HSUS, 5 cents goes to shelters, spay & neuter programs, and direct animal care. On the other hand 22 cents of every dollar goes to political campaigns and lobbying, just like the lobbying they are doing against the Reptile Nation and ALL exotic pet owners. Heck, the HSUS spends more money overseas than they do helping puppies and kittens right here in the United States.

It's great that you have had a positive experience with the HSUS and believe that they are directly helping animals ... and to a small degree they are ... but as the largest and most powerful animal welfare organization in the world with 180 million a year in donations and all the problems we have here in the United States, they could be doing a whole lot more ... and they're not. Shame on them.

-adam

[RhacHead]

Adam Thanks for taking the time to post that. Alot of people say"don't support the HSUS because they are bad?"
You said hey this is why,and listed multiple sources From the HSUS site and for that

[Hulihzack]

Wow I knew HSUS was not on our side, but those are ridiculously blatant lies. Lies directed not only toward the uninformed public but toward the uninformed Representatives that make up our legislative system. This just shows the real need for us to step up, contact our reps, and give them the TRUTH. Thanks Adam.

[omnibus2]

Jesus, why are they so vehemontly against herps? I hate those mammal obsessed jerks.

[nixer]

Jesus, why are they so vehemontly against herps? I hate those mammal obsessed jerks.

they are against all pet keeping! its just easier to start the first laws against pets that are not kept by everyone and most ppl have been taught to fear snakes

[MsPrada]

In my biology class (human and animal interactions) yesterday we had a lady from the vet school talking about ethics and welfare. She asked us "How many of you believe in HSUS?" and 5 people raised their hands.... All of which have pets. It made me sad that people don't educate themselves more. (thankfully the other three people in there that own herps didnt, phew!)