A Challenge - Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

[Valentine Pirate]

Big business does bring in good money, but it doesn't completely make up for the chunk of private donations other organizations receive. HSUS gets however many dollars a month ($15? $12?) from anyone who signs up from their ads with sad puppies. Because their advertising reaches so many people and they're convincing it gets them the comfortable funding they need (people are a lot more willing to donate when heartstrings are pulled for shelters/abused animals, which is the pretense HSUS has, many don't know it's just paying lawyers and lobbyists despite our attempts at showing people). Also, lots of private donations = big business paying attention because it's where customer interest went.

Maybe because we have no heart string pulling ads people are less inclined to donate. I don't know. I'm very disappointed to hear how poorly USARK is doing in private donations. I've been sending $10-$20 when I have a little extra on my paycheck. It. Is. Easy. Really, it's the only effective way I can see myself making a difference legally as a hobbiest. I write letters, spread the word on most of my social networking whenever I hear about legislation, and do my best to (comfortably) expose people to my reptiles so that maybe they won't be as alienated, but I can't go to DC to fight for my rights and I certainly can't hope that what I have done would make any difference if USARK weren't around.

I budget it as an upkeep fee for my hobby. Maybe someday when there is a show that's closer than 3 hours away I can volunteer. Maybe someday I can send more funds, or less if the organization changes in a way I don't like, but we desperately need a dog in the fight that isn't a bare bones operation. From what I can tell USARK has done more good than if it weren't around, so I'll keep sending them money. If it turns out they're doing things I don't like or believe in, I'll stop. Simple. I understand people being squeamish about handing over money, but USARK needs a bigger presence to make a bigger difference