Some jurisdictions do have county shelter employees trained and sworn with police powers to investigate animal cruelty cases. They also coordinate with the county humane society to evaluate and document the condition of the animals in hoarder, abuse and dog fighting cases. The privately run shelters primarily run on either donations or grants from places like the Morris Foundation and other charity foundation. The Humane Society of the United States is a lobbying organization, which has been pointed out already.

I used to work as a tech at a no-kill animal shelter. We had grant writers who would apply for spay/neuter grants, grants to upgrade our facility, ect. We also worked with breed specific rescues to place purebreds that we would find at the county kill shelter, if our own shelter was full. Thankfully we had open access to the kill shelter to pull animals right before kill time; and let me tell you, many days I left the shelter in tears, because there were only so many open slots at our shelter, and adoptable animals were going to be killed right after we left.

I guess what I am trying to say, just because you have issues with the Humane Society of the United States, please dont let that stop you from donating either your time, or funds to the local no-kill shelters. That money goes into your local community, and helps the local animals find homes. i know that the reason that you are on boards like this mean that you care, and that you want the best for all pets, not just the ones with scales, but the ones with fur, as well.

So do the people at your local shelter. They are the ones that deserve your time, and your funds.