Apr 01 2010
Mining the Mother Lode
If you've been following this blog since it launched six weeks ago, you're already aware that the Humane Society of the United States shares less than half of one percent of its budget with pet shelters. And you know that HSUS fundraisers in New York and California aren’t exactly shining examples of efficiency. But there's yet another HSUS scandal lurking beneath the surface.
HSUS puts some serious money every year into pension plans for its executives. Since 2004 (when “Humane Wayne” Pacelle took over), the HSUS pension slush fund has grown by more than $8.5 million. Instead of helping dogs and cats in pet shelters, that money will be fattening the wallets of HSUS big shots after they retire.
Here are the numbers, from HSUS’s IRS returns:
2008: $2,532,167
2007: $1,887,592
2006: $2,193,090
2005: $975,647
2004: $969,632
Total: $8,558,128
Here's what frustrates me about this: In 2008, HSUS put five times more money into its pension plans than what it shared with hands-on pet shelters. HSUS higher-ups certainly have found a golden egg, and it’s not even Easter yet.
I wonder how many cats and dogs—like the ones you see in HSUS's television infomercials—could be placed in adoptive homes (instead of being euthanized in an overcrowded pet shelter) with $8.5 million. And I wonder if Wayne Pacelle and the other HSUS executives will consider that while they sip soy-tinis on a beach when they retire.
Photo: Flickr
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Document Analysis • Fundraising • (9) Comments
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I read many peoples individual names on the HSUS IRS sheet….......does anyone know who these people are?
In light of all the scandals in NYS with Governors and their ‘playmates’ is it possible that some of the ladies on the sheet are members of the oldest profession??????
I have supported HSUS for many years but as of today, I’ve decided to donate to local shelters and rescue organizations. I have sent letters to Wayne Pacelle requesting discontinuance of constant mailings of items that I would rather the money be used to help the animals. Needless to say, I still get something each month even though I donate on a monthly basis. Once again, the big wheels have forgotten what they were hired for!
I haven’t been able to send a big donation every month but as of today I will be sending it to my local dog shelter. I will not pay for these people’s retirements. I read the full-page ad in the USA Today and was SHOCKED!!!!!!!!
Regarding being inundated with HSUS mailings, I simply put the blank donation form in the mail. I stopped receiving mail.
My post on Facebook—I’m thinking using something like this against Wayno’s pitiful infomercials might be a slap in the face.
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Keep in mind, HSUS will have to turn in their taxes to the IRS soon because as we all know, they, unlike us simple folks, get extentions so their high paid accountants can find every legal loophole to hide their pension funds errr donations they get. So instead of falling for the “Just send us only $19.00 a month and get a free t-shirt BS, how about listening to what Pedigree has to say. Don’t pity a shelter dog. ADOPT ONE!
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=299459964573
I think it is really sorry that instead of doing what they’re supposed to be doing, which is helping these poor animals, they line their own pockets. Apparently all they care about is themselves, and yes I do think this is fraud.
I know people are important—so do they think they are better than dogs and cats? Well, considering the actions of these jerks, I don’t think so.
I certainly want to be educated on where my money is going and if I am being ripped off. I love animals (sometimes more than people) and with any charity I don’t like to see people or animals deprived. I wouldn’t want to be a victim of a scam. I do have some legitimate questions however to the one(s) collecting this information on the HSUS ~ how are you getting such detailed information about their dirty deeds? Do you work for HSUS? Are you doing undercover work? Does anyone in the public have access to the total numbers of the IRS returns and how money is being distributed and used? Mud slinging has its place if it is legitimate. This organization has been around for a very long time. If they are guilty then fine, they deserve the harshest of punishments. At the same time I don’t like to see people/companies falsely accused; that in itself is a crime. I am just curious on how the information is being gathered
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I’m all for decent pay and pensions but I’m sick of people who reward themselves so grossly disproportionately to their contribution to their job, work, cause; more so when the money goes to someone like Wayne Pacelle for doing the exact opposite of what he claims to do! Someone please tell me how that is NOT outright fraud???!!!