May 17 2011
Pets or Pensions?
The Humane Society of the United States, which is not affiliated with community-based humane societies, is a very wealthy organization. In 2009 its budget was more than $121 million, and the HSUS network had more than $191 million in assets at the end of 2009.
Despite the financial ability to run a pet shelter in every state, HSUS doesn’t run a single one. And it shared only four-fifths of one percent of its budget with pet shelters during 2009. (HSUS hasn’t filed its 2010 taxes yet.)
We’re often asked a simple question: Where does all that money go, if not to real humane societies?
A considerable chunk of HSUS change funds lobbying. HSUS also has a sizeable (read: 30-person-strong) in-house legal department that doesn’t exactly operate pro bono.
And a tremendous amount of HSUS’s revenue is diverted to its executive pension plan, which has grown by $11 million since Wayne Pacelle took over as CEO in 2004.
Let’s take a look at how HSUS’s pension-plan spending compares with its pet-shelter support. (The bottom line: Not well.)
We went through HSUS’s 12 most recent tax returns, covering the years 1998 through 2009. And we made a startling discovery: Overall, HSUS’s self-serving pensions got more money than pet shelters.
Here’s the data, year-by-year:
| Year | Pension contributions | Shelter Donations |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | $402,278.00 | $109,854.48 |
| 1999 | $1,036,834.00 | $130,724.43 |
| 2000 | $1,030,621.00 | $387,414.90 |
| 2001 | $1,403,310.00 | $339,061.04 |
| 2002 | $0.00 | $284,745.55 |
| 2003 | $1,292,077.00 | $226,656.87 |
| 2004 | $969,632.00 | $251,324.39 |
| 2005 | $975,647.00 | $5,143,420.00 |
| 2006 | $2,193,090.00 | $3,514,942.00 |
| 2007 | $1,887,592.00 | $2,995,792.00 |
| 2008 | $2,532,167.00 | $461,996.00 |
| 2009 | $2,592,272.00 | $976,775.00 |
| Total | $16,315,520.00 | $14,822,706.66 |
How embarrassing.
The “Humane Society” of the United States spends more looking out for its own leaders than providing funds to help pet shelters. In most years, it spends several times more. (The uptick in shelter grants from 2005 through 2007 was mostly due to one-time grants following Hurricane Katrina, which is the least HSUS could do considering it raked in a reported $34 million after the disaster.)
It’s certainly not a bad thing that HSUS has spent $14.8 million, by our count, on pet shelters during the last 12 years. But it could have spent 10 or 20 times that amount. Without breaking a sweat.
This month the State Humane Association of California filed a complaint with the state Attorney General against the fundraising tactics of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), arguing that many of that organization’s donors incorrectly believe money sent to the ASPCA comes back to Golden State pet shelters. That move prompted the editor of the Whole Dog Journal to write that ASPCA ads should come with a disclaimer warning viewers that money sent to New York may not aid California shelters.
Maybe HSUS ads should come with a disclaimer too—not just to warn people that real humane societies will get less than 16 cents of its “$19 a month” infomercial request, but that an even larger amount will fund the retirements of HSUS executives.
Comments
Interesting, is it not, that the funds made available for Pensions, the year Pacelle was made CEO, FAR outweighed the amount sent to help “local” shelters… 2008 & 2009 were just disgusting.
Luvenia, donate to your local shelter.
Just remember one thing: Never, ever, ever, E V E R donate to the H$U$ or the A$PCA, if you want your money to help actual animals, rather than lining the pockets of organization executives.
Not only will your donations line the pockets of fat cat CEOs at these orgs, your money will also be used to FIGHT legislation that would save tens of thousands of shelter pets. The ASPCA fought and killed Oreo’s law in New York last year. HSUS, and their lapdog THLN, fought CAPA in Texas.
This needs to be your next billboard.
The ASPCA just finished a massive pet adoption drive for the helpless victims of the terrible Joplin, Missouri, tornado that struck last month. The ASPCA sent volunteers to help organize and run the 2-day event, where over 600 animals were vaccinated and spayed or neutered, prior to being put up for adoption. Education and follow-up with the new pet owners to ensure the animals will be loved and treated well.
As a rescuer myself this disgustse to say the least. I only donate to local no-kill shelters. If this was bigger news in the media most people would stop giving these fat cats their money. Nobody would continue supporting this, it’s just a corporation that takes in money and tosses just enough to the cause to keep the cash flow coming
This just really upsets me. All those sweet faces on the tv ads that are so heart-wrenching that you want to help them so badly…and to learn that whatever you send in good faith never even reaches the intended recipients: the animals. It just makes me sick.
Now I really don’t appreciate this since I have 1/2 of my retirement funds upon death set up as a donation to this organization. I will be changing my beneficiary!!!
I am truly disappointed by this & will be spreading this wonderful news. I actually have done without food myself to help animals for WHAT? No more!
Are you taking lessons from our government? We donate this money to help animals not a nice retirement for HSUS employees!!!
This is really upsetting! I won’t be donating to them anymore!
Thank you for bringing this information to light.
GET SMART AND DON"T GIVE THE AR NON PROFITS YOUR MONEY. Can’t you see they are nothing but a scam!
All this information is so upsetting…I have just decided to sign up for a monthly donation of $19.00 to HSUS…I felt so happy and relieved that I will be contributing even this small amount to animal related causes…I thought that when I find a job, I can give more…But what I read today about this “fine” organization was so cruel. Once again I stopped trusting people!
I am so upset reading this. I donate montly, automatically, to the HSUS and the ASPCA. I will be giving my $$$ to my local shelter now. I receive disability benefits and to know that my money I’ve been sending each month is making a nice retirement nest egg for their big wigs absolutely disgusts me. I will be terminating my donations to them.
And one other thing… all animal loving donors please do your homework before donating. Just because a local animal shelter has a name that includes the word “HUMANE” does not mean that they are a no-kill shelter. A great deal of local “humane societies” DO EUTHANIZE for population control in their shelters. Be 100% sure of the organizations you support. Your dollars could be supporting euthanasia.
Ellen, you’re so right about local shelters. they dont “advertise” that they’re no kill because some have to. Our local shelter does put down, but only if they’re brought in too sick, their vet tells them there’s no hope for a particular animal, and most unfortunate, the dog or cat that cannot be tamed enough to be adopted out. If the animal is truly dangerous, they have no alternative. My shelter does, very infrequently, have to euthanize. but again,very seldom.
you won’t see me donte to these people again. Its shame people are like this.. shame on them!!
Our local No Kill Humane Society asked for a donation from HSUS when they were forced to build their new building. Not one penny did HSUS grant or loan to them.
Yes…donate to your local shelter please. I volunteered at my local shelter where I adopted my dog Sasha.
Rather than donating cash to any local shelter, ask which supplies they specifically need. I would rather donate bags of dog food and know exactly what will be eating it!
my husband and I have been walking the dogs at our shelter for 3 wks now, and love it! its so amazing seeing how they respond to a simple hug, a tender touch, speaking to them for just a few minutes, giving them some one-on-one time is so important and crucial for them. We adopted our Maddie just yesterday. She’s a senior dog. She’s adjusting very very well. Didn’t cry once last night. We’re very happy to have her in our family, along with our first rescue dog, Sammie.
That does no suprise me at all. This place needs to be shut down. What a scam.
If you really want to help animals in shelters—here is what they need::
Bleach, Blankets, Hot water bottles, Food dishes, water hoses, Shovels, rakes, Pooper scoopers, Dog food, Cat food, Litter, Litter boxes,and plastic dish gloves! I a sure any local shelter or rescue would be glad to recieve any of these.
When I read about the commendation Better Homes and Gardens wrote about HSUS, I wrote about all of us writing and letting the editor in chief know about their true colors. I received a violation notice from Facebook ie: my post had received a complaint. I can’t find out from who, of course, but my posting was removed. Interesting? I will continue to post my discontent over the practices of HSUS on Facebook, and any other media I choose. Let Facebook revoke my account..oh well…......
Imagine how many more animals could be saved if everyone of these greedy bastards gave up $100.00/ month? Shame on them
What a shocker to learn this information!! It is obscene to withhold funds/help designated for and rightfully belonging to saving and helping the desperate and needy – whether they are people or animals!
It seems that the humans having the ability and resources to make a huge difference for good in lives who are so needy, are only out for themselves.
Dogs, Cat, Horses, etc. would never do that. They freely give love, devotion and loyalty, even if it is grossly unmerited. All they expect are the basics - which any living being requires for survival: food, water, and shelter. To receive care and understanding is a bonus from which all living beings thrive and flourish.
(I will rant more on these topics another time. I support and advocate for many animal rescues, prevention of animal cruelty, and wild horse and burro rescue and preservation pages and organizations, and I am very passionate about these issues.)
HSUS is like so many large non-profits. I give to my local shelter. If people took that same $19 per month and sent it to their local shelter I would imagine alot of good could be done. Food donations don’t help much since they usually have them on a brand of food they don’t change. Switching food all the time could cause stomach and digestion issues for the animals. But other supplies are always needed. What they often need most is your time! Dog walkers, event staffers and foster families are always needed, too. I won’t give HSUS, ASPCA, Red Cross or any large organization. They are all top heavy and line pockets of executive staff.
I totally agree that HSUS is way out of line here. I work for a local humane society, and we sure don’t have a pension plan, aside from what we contribute ourselves.
That said, I do want to remind folks that when you make a donation to any non-profit, some of your donation HAS to go to pay for staff, overhead, and other administrative costs. When you make a donation to my shelter, you’re helping our animals, but you’re also you’re helping pay my salary and the salary of everyone else in the organization—so we can go on doing our jobs helping the animals. (And thanks for that! 
) The trick is to find organizations that get the most ‘bang for the buck’, so to speak.
Charity Navigator is a great place to check any organization out—they’ll tell you how much an organization spends on fundraising, on administrative costs, and how much goes to their programs. They’ll also tell you how much the CEO/ED gets paid, and what percentage of the budget that is.
HSUS is a factory fundraising organization who knows how to stage an emotional scene to pull the money from your hands. They have a hidden agenda to eliminate animal ownership and animal agriculture. They can do this by only taking a little bit of freedom at a time so you don’t notice. Look around at all of the animal ordinances in your cities and counties, even in your state and federal legislature-just a little at a time. Look what they are doing in California—convincing the public that pet breeders and agriculture are abusive to animals when in reality the animals are well cared for and all the pictures you see in ads and in undercover investigations are complete set-ups. Don’t give to HSUS!! Don’t let your family and friends do it either.
I run a non profit no kill shelter. When we were just about to have to close due to funds we asked the HSUS for help and they suggested we go on line and find grants. No money is available I was told. We choose not to kill and this takes more money. My salary last year 14m and I put in 7 days a week 7-16 hours a day depending on what is happening with our intakes. CEO’s are taking away money donated to help animals and put in it thier own pockets. They should be ashamed of themselves.
I’m really upset with these figures so my money will go to ARC and the smaller rescues. Will not send another dime to these two organizations!
It is wonderful that this information is getting out to the masses. I hope some of the “movie stars” who tout HSUS reads this. It is all about the money, people! HSUS only gets involved in animal issues when they can take the credit and get their name in the news.
I DO NOT> WILL NOT> “DONATE” ANYMORE!!! After alot of time, and hard work on investigating,I stopped giving donations several months ago. I pray others will do the same…God Bless…
Sadly the HSUS and ASPCA gather enormous amounts of money. People always say “I donate every Month” Then I explain that these 2 organizations are NOT affiliated with local agencies and local agencies get NO funds from them.
I truely believe we could be a No Kill Nation if they helped instead of hoarded. The money could do enormous good for spay/neuter.
5 years I have spent $2500 of my money and my vacation time to go to HSUS Conferences. Great information but way too costly. My $2500 will fix alot of animals. We participate in HSUS “Spay Day” each year. Last year they sent us about $150 from the Pet Photo Contest to be used for S/N. We are very rural/farm area with Amish Puppy Mills. We scrape for every penny and have no paid staff or facility. We don’t qualify for their grants, not big enough…..wonder if they ever gotr their hands on Leona Helmsley’s Estate.
Maybe if you post this once a month or so people will wake up and their pension fund will decrease rapidly. One can only hope.
This is horrible, this needs to stop…I too give to my local shelter only.
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How to I become active to help?? I know our local shelter goes on tv and begs for food, supplies and $$$. what’s the deal.