Jan 24 2012
HSUS Ads Still Lack Disclaimer, Still Deceptive
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A few weeks back we released a detailed report regarding the Humane Society of the United States’ deceptive television advertisements. By analyzing data compiled by the Campaign Media Analysis Group (CMAG) from 2009 through September 2011, we learned that more than 85 percent of animals shown in HSUS TV ads—which aired more than 20,000 times—asking for donations are either dogs or cats.
HSUS’s deception is clear, especially considering that it only gives 1 percent of its $126 million budget to help local pet shelters and that it doesn’t run any pet shelters of its own. It’s easy to see why 71 percent of Americans mistakenly believe that HSUS is a pet-shelter umbrella group, according to a recent national poll. Similarly, 71 percent of animal shelters agree that “HSUS misleads people into thinking it is associated with local animal shelters.”
HSUS responded that its ads include a disclaimer stating that HSUS is separate from local pet shelters. However, our analysis of CMAG’s data determined that far less than 1 percent of HSUS’s television appeals include a disclaimer. The CMAG report also estimated that HSUS spent over $11.2 million running more than 20,000 TV spots without a disclaimer.
You’d think that HSUS’s ad guys would knock off this nonsense. In fact, HSUS’s Emerging Media Manager claimed last week that “there is a disclaimer on the most recent commercial, which says the HSUS is not affiliated with local shelters.”
Oh, really?
We asked CMAG to compile a report of the ads aired by HSUS from January 1-8, 2012. And again we found that less than 1 percent of HSUS’s TV appeals include any such disclaimer.
The Humane Society of the United States continues to air deceptive ads without disclaimers that mislead and exploit pet-loving Americans, yet HSUS tries to falsely assure people that it isn’t doing what it, in fact, is doing. You’ve got to admire HSUS’s gall. The only problem is that it continues to come at the expense of the nation’s pet shelters and, of course, needy dogs and cats.
Here’s how you can help: Contact the Federal Trade Commission and file a complaint about HSUS's misleading fundraising. You can do this in just a few, quick steps:
1. Go to the FTC’s Complaint Assistant and fill out your personal information.
2. Under Step 1, when it asks you “What kind of company are you complaining about?,” check “Other” and write in “Deceptive 501(c)(3).”
3. When you offer details about your complaint, if you’ve given money to HSUS and believe that you were deceived by its ads, be sure to say so.
4. Let us know when you’ve filed a complaint (email info@HumaneWatch.org).
Comments
Deception continues. I saw a few days ago a mail out disclaimer to contributors: “contribution are tax deductable as far as the law allows”. In NC the HSUS Director has become “stuck in their mud” and is dead in the water as far a influncing their vegan ARs agenda. In the meantme she is buttering up to animal control directors who have a “badge”.
Posted to my facebook wall.
Can we get an itemized documentation of what is done with the dollars donated to HSUS?
This is what I put in my consumer complaint to the FTC:
“This organization presents itself as a group that helps animal shelters and cares for animals, helping them find homes. That is a lie. They do NOT help shelters, they do NOT adopt out pets. They actually lobby for laws ENDING human/animal relationships. As a child, I gave them ALL my money. I want to see them required to tell the TRUTH abut where the money they collect REALLY goes when they play their commercials with sad puppies and kittens looking out from shelter cages, shelters that the HSUS doesn’t even HAVE! In reality, only 0.47% of donations go to actual animals in need. As a former shelter kennel manager, I learned that when we needed help, HSUS wasn’t about to send us funds. All they wanted to do was charge our shelter money to give us advice! Why pay for advice on improving a shelter from a group that doesn’t even HAVE a shelter of their own?
I also am angry about the way they target children and convince the kids to say and do things to support the HSUS when kids are too young to make any informed decision. That is NOT ethical.
Since the HSUS spends SO much of its income on lobbying, WAY more than it spends on actual animals in need, they should lose their 501c3 status. HSUS on average spends 0.50% of its income on animals in need. It spends a little over 3.00% of it’s money on lobbying. HOW is that ethical when all they show in their commercials and pleas for donations are starved, neglected, or abused animals, not slick lobbyists panning the government to pass laws to END animal/human relationships? What makes me believe they want all animal/human relationships ended? This:
When asked if he envisioned a future without pets, “If I had my personal view, perhaps that
might take hold. In fact, I don’t want to see another dog or cat born.” Wayne Pacelle quoted in
Bloodties: Nature, Culture and the Hunt by Ted Kerasote, 1993, p. 266.
And:
“It’s really about human behavior and less about the animals. Animals for the most part just need
to be left alone.” Wayne Pacelle speaking on animal rights, LA Times interview July 2008.
None of these types of statements are ever revealed to the people they dun for money on their commercials. In fact, recent research has indicated that over 70% of the general public think that the HSUS is an umbrella group to support ALL animal shelters.
In conclusion, I resent them for conning me out of money when I was a child, and unable to comprehend the deception behind the advertisements. I want so see the HSUS lose 501c3 status, and I want them to be forced to put a disclaimer that they DO NOT run shelters in very prominent media.”
I strongly urge EVERYONE to make a complaint. It wasn’t too hard to do, and if enough people do it, we CAN make an impact. It is WORTH the effort.
To Petlover- Here ya go! http://humanewatch.org/images/uploads/HSUS-2010-IRS-return.pdf
I filed my complaint and pretty much told them what Songbrook said above. I tried to email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and it came back as undeliverable. It really isn’t that difficult to file the complaint and I also urge everyone reading this to do so and lets help open some eyes and get HSUS to tell the truth.
I am waiting for the day when HSUS ads have sappy music playing over deceived Hollywood personalities saying “Please, please help now. Our president and paid employees REALLY need raises and MUST have help adding to their pension funds. We MUST be able to pay all the lawyers and lobbyists to continue to push lawmakers to take away YOUR rights to own animals. We need YOUR support now! Our employees didn’t ask not to make enough money to live lifestyles of the rich and famous, so they are turning to you for help. For only $19.99 a month, you can make a difference. Please help our executives live a higher standard of life, help our laywers and lobbyists continue their work.
Oh, before I forget, we don’t have any actual animal shelters and we just borrowed a bunch of the most pathetic looking puppies and kittens we could find to tug on your heart strings.”
I know, when that kind of ad acutally happens, hell will have frozen over…..
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Done. I hope it will help.