Ive had to volunteer at a hsus to get hours for school etc. Its not the little animal shelters that are bad, its the people who treat pets as big business who are bad.

If you want to donate to the animals and be sure that it is going to the animals and NOT the dipwads up at the top of the chain, then find a shelter, and donate dog and cat food, or cleaning supplies, or even old blankets. Don't donate money, that is just lining the big business' pockets.

(Dont get me wrong, i hate the hsus as a company, just make sure you're going after the right people.)