HSUS Quotes

The Humane Society of the United States is a radical animal rights group, but its calculated P.R. campaign enables it to appear mainstream. While HSUS is very conscious of presenting itself as a moderate group, occasionally the façade is lifted in moments of honesty. And in many instances, HSUS’s leaders were much more candid about their animal-rights worldview before they donned HSUS’s middle-of-the-road mask. Here are HSUS and its leaders in their own words.

Convicted dogfighting kingpin Michael Vick “would do a good job as a pet owner.” – Wayne Pacelle, quoted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, December 2010

“We don’t want any of these animals to be raised and killed…unfortunately we don’t have the luxury of waiting until we have the opportunity to get rid of the entire [animal agriculture] industry.” – Vice President for farm animal issues Miyun Park, in a 2006 speech

“[Resolved]…pursue on all fronts…the clear articulation and establishment of the rights of all animals…within the full range of American life and culture.” —HSUS resolution, adopted 1980

“The Humane Society of the United States has long been in the forefront of advocating the recognition of rights of and for animals.” –HSUS fundraising mailer, 1990

“Access to the courts is such a powerful right and would pose so revolutionary a threat to the established order that it will probably be among the last of animal rights to be recognized, requiring statutory, even constitutional, changes.” – HSUS fundraising mailer, 1990

“Don’t breed, don’t buy, don’t even accept giveaways.” – CEO John Hoyt, in a 1991 speech

“[I]t’s kind of a covert vegetarian message, which is part of the ecumenical approach that the HSUS follows.” – Vice President Michael W. Fox,quoted in the Vegetarian Times, January 1989

Quotes from HSUS leaders before they joined HSUS:

“We have no ethical obligation to preserve the different breeds of livestock produced through selective breeding …One generation and out. We have no problems with the extinction of domestic animals. They are creations of human selective breeding.” – CEO Wayne Pacelle, as reported in Animal People News, May1993

“I don’t want to see another cat or dog born.” – CEO Wayne Pacelle in Bloodties, 1994

“Eating meat causes animal cruelty.” – HSUS senior campaigner Paul Shapiro, in a 2003 speech

“I don’t have a hands-on fondness for animals. I did not grow up bonded to any particular nonhuman animal. I like them and I pet them and I’m kind to them, but there’s no special bond between me and other animals…” – CEO Wayne Pacelle in Bloodties, 1994

“[V]isionary and professional leadership. There’s no doubt they’re creative and courageous.” – CEO Wayne Pacelle on PETA’s leaders, Vegetarian Times, October 1989

“PETA has really done so much in a short time to…promote animal rights.” – CEO Wayne Pacelle, Vegetarian Times, October 1989

“If we could shut down all sport hunting in a moment, we would.”— CEO Wayne Pacelle,quoted by the Associated Press, December 1991

“Nothing is more important than promoting veganism.” HSUS senior campaigner Paul Shapiro, at the 2004 National Student Animal Rights Conference

“My goal is the abolition of all animal agriculture.” –HSUS Director of Animal Cruelty PolicyJohn “J.P.” Goodwin