Talkback: L.A. Times Ads

We recently placed two ads in the Los Angeles Times: One during the Memorial Day weekend, and anther a week later. The ads, along with the buzz surrounding the Sunday Times editorial about them, attracted a lot of new visitors to HumaneWatch–and many of them offered praise for our work educating Americans about the Humane Society of the United States. (Many were shocked to learn HSUS isn’t related to their local humane society, and that HSUS shares just 1 percent of donations with hands-on pet shelters.)

Here’s what some readers wrote to us:

Good for you for standing up for local shelters! I had no idea that HSUS *didn’t* fund local shelters to help save dogs and cats. –Kat

I find it odd that HSUS claims HumaneWatch is dragging animal shelters into the debate. After all, HW has the decency to openly declare (and in multiple locations throughout its media) that it is not related to any animal shelters. Actually, HW probably does more than HSUS to promote the needs of local animal shelters by publicizing a shelter-of-the-day through its Daily Bites and Facebook updates. –Linn

Good work. You must be hitting a very big nerve. Oh, that’s right—HSUS has a very big nerve to trick people out of their money using pictures of sad animals. –Maggie

I’m so glad the Times brought this issue to the attention of the people of California. That gives us the opportunity to have an honest and open discussion of the little-known facts regarding HSUS. There are a lot of good people in California who probably never gave it a thought until now. –Gayla

I couldn’t have been happier to see your ad on the back of yesterday’s L.A. Times. You made Memorial Day all the more memorable! Thank you! –Florence

No more to The Humane Society of the United States. Thank you for informing us! –Greta

I consistently send them donations. Thanks for the information. I appreciate it and will stop further monies to them. –Tallie

Thank you, HumaneWatch, for shedding light on the HSUS and their devious ways. I am happy that an organization like HumaneWatch exists to educate the public on the lack of support HSUS (and other animal “charities”) gives to local chapters.–Megan

Keep the comments coming, everyone! And don’t forget to register your thoughts on our Facebook page, where you can meet more than a quarter-million savvy animal lovers just like you.

Talkback: Reflections on a Birthday

We marked the beginning of HumaneWatch’s second year a few weeks ago; quite a few of you took notice. The well-wishes have been pouring in from animal lovers everywhere, and some of our favorites are below.

Without your efforts to spread the word about the Humane Society of the United States’s shortcomings—and the thousands of deserving pet shelters that HSUS simply doesn’t support—HumaneWatch wouldn’t be very effective at all.

We’re gathering and nurturing fertile seeds here every week, but it’s up to you to plant the seedlings and educate animal-lovers in your own community.

Talkback: The Michael Vick Ad

If you’re not a New Yorker or a frequent visitor to this blog, you may be unaware that we ran a full-page ad in yesterday’s New York Times, blowing the lid off of a scandal involving convicted dog-fighting kingpin Michael Vick, a $50,000 check from the Philadelphia Eagles, and Humane Society of the United States CEO Wayne Pacelle.

In short, if you’re wondering why Pacelle would suddenly become an apologist for Vick’s future pet-ownership plans, follow the money.

HSUS’s willingness to trade its principles for money is disturbing news, and hundreds of you were outraged enough to e-mail us your thoughts. Many of your e-mails contained language (directed at Pacelle and Vick) that’s not exactly “family-friendly,” but here’s a sampling of some of your more polite reactions: