Oct 10 2011
Unpacking the HSUS Gravy Train (2011 Edition)
HSUS is a private organization, but thankfully its tax returns are required to be public. They give us a small glimpse into America’s most deceptive animal rights group. And we’ve just gotten a copy of HSUS’s latest tax return, covering 2010. (Past returns are in our Document Library.)
HSUS’s tax returns have served as a backbone for startling discoveries, such as that the organization gives less than one percent of its budget to pet shelters (the real humane societies); that HSUS puts more money into lobbying than it does pet-shelter grants; and that HSUS even contributes more to its pension plan than it gives to needy shelters.
So how did HSUS fare in 2010? Veteran readers won’t be surprised. Here are some low-lights:
- HSUS CEO Wayne Pacelle’s total compensation package was $287,786, up roughly 7 percent from the previous year.
- HSUS stuffed $2.6 million into its pension plan, bringing the total since Pacelle took over to about $14 million.
- HSUS spent $3.6 million on lobbying. (If you see an HSUS ad showing an abused and malnourished lobbyist, let us know.)
- HSUS had 636 employees, including 29 who earned more than $100,000.
- HSUS’s contribution/grant revenue increased by $34 million. This was boosted by a $12-million increase in noncash contributions (e.g. free ads) and a $11.7 million grant from a single donor.
- HSUS’s “All Animals” magazine had a circulation of about 450,000. That’s a good estimate of HSUS’s true membership size (versus the 11 million they like to bandy about when they are on Capitol Hill), since the magazine is included with a $25 membership.
- HSUS’s “Kind News” magazine reached 644,000 kindergarten to 6th grade students. (Targeting kids seems right out of PETA’s playbook.)
- HSUS spent a whopping $47 million on fundraising-related costs, or about 37 percent of HSUS budget.
- HSUS’s pet-shelter grants totaled just $528,676, or 0.418 percent of HSUS’s budget.
Read those last two bullet points again: The “Humane Society” of the United States spends almost 90 times more on fundraising than it spends on pet-shelter grants. If that doesn’t show you the real priorities of this “factory fundraising” operation, nothing will.
In 2009, four-fifths of one percent of HSUS’s budget went to pet-shelter grants; this year is about half of that. It’s even worse than 2008. It may even be the lowest percentage ever.
Has HSUS no shame?
For the sake of openness, we’ve posted a copy of our accounting of HSUS’s grants. Feel free to quibble with us, but we’re confident of our accuracy.
Helpfully, HSUS’s accountants listed the purpose of each grant. We counted grants that were labeled as “animal shelter aid” (or something similar). We included grants that HSUS made to shelters caring for rescued animals. And we also counted grants to care for horses, since there’s a huge horse welfare problem that HSUS helped create.
But despite the $528,676 of good that HSUS did, there’s a long way to go for HSUS to earn the “humane society” in its name. Memo to Wayne Pacelle: It’s time to stop feeding lobbyists and factory fundraising machines at the expense of needy pets.
Posted on 10/10/2011 at 04:13 PM by the HumaneWatch Team
The Best of HumaneWatch • Fundraising & Money • (30) CommentsComments
The IRS. and FBI. better do something or us the john doe public are going to raise holy hell!!!
I am so so disappointed in all the I have been reading about HSUS. For years I have supported them.
Question? 2 years ago, my son had his 2 dogs fixed for as little as $25 each in one of “their” mobile units. The name was on the side of the mobile. Everything inside was clean and sterile and the dogs were fine. So, if they are not what they claim to be, why was their name on the mobile unit.
(sigh)
If this it true, I’ll stop my monthly contribution. I plan on looking into this further.
Hey IRS where are you, get your heads out of the sand and do your work you get paid for or are you working for Wayne Pacelle. If this was the plain old Joe he would be in prison..FBI do your investigation and prove you still got what it takes
I did not join them this year or send a donation because i heard they were not helping the horse recurers
stop the MONEY GRAB
For perspective, would you compare these numbers to the NRA? My understanding is that for a large nonprofit, HSUS behavior is pretty typical, if not unusually fiscally responsible.
Cody, the NRA isn’t running ads showing sad shelter animals asking you to give $19 a month to help care for them- then not giving them the money.
they are very clear about where their funds are going.
not so with HSUS.
Thanks! I’m not a numbers guy, so this stuff is way above my head. However, I’m unclear about something: why did you tack on the $131 million in contributions and grants if the BBB figure is supposed to solely concern fundraising expenses?
As for my latter comment, that may have been an overstatement, but a little research indicates that their executive compensation is pretty standard for animal and environmental groups. (http://www.animalpeoplenews.org/watch-3.html)
Can somebody tell me how a place can be a 501c3 CHARITY when they are actually a business that charges admission? I am referring to some animal “sanctuaries” that charge admission and buy their animals as well as a Zoo. I don’t understand. HSUS is NOT a charity and they take in all this money TAX FREE! The government is looking for more tax revenue maybe they should look at this area!!
Ah, gotcha. Thanks!
If you wish to contribute money to pet cause, look into your local Humane Society, The Morris Foundation in Colorado (national), The Canine Health Foundation (AKC), Your local veterinarian school, or breed rescue organizations.
I can’t even watch their ads on TV. They are pathetic. Email this to your congressmen and senators, governors, etc.
Linda, are you sure it was an HSUS mobile unit—maybe it was the local humane society that sponsored the mobile unit. Local shelters do wonderful work, not so HSUS.
Humane Watch needs to create a simple, easy to read chart showing HSUS’ budget, contributions, number of employees, amount spent on lobbying, and amount donated to pet shelters for the past three to five years.
Cheryl….yes, I am positive the mobile unit had HSUS on it. So, I am so confused, and all that is being stated about them, makes me cry. I always thought they were doing wonderful things. Do I have my head in the sand? (sigh). I try to keep up with all that is going on, ESPECIALLY, everything animal related.
Has the HSUS lobby been instrumental in passage of any current animal welfare legislation.?
These new numbers are so absurdly lopsided. It aggravates me.
They do an awesome job with what they’ve got but I just wonder what they could do with more. Reduce costs so that everyone could vaccinate their pets, free spaying and neutering, or opening more shelters would be a nice start. It just looks like someone cashing in on peoples good will.
You better believe that they spent WAY more than $3.9 on lobbying. They are hiding that money somewhere. With “State Directors” in jut about every state, whose job description is to lobby, and with all the political contributions that they give to campaigns and all their bragging about passing over 1000 laws the last couple of years, there is no way their lobbying costs are that low. This organization is so corrupt it isn’t funny. I will be sending another letter to the IRS to inquire as to how that investigation is coming along.
It would serve animals better if all who want to help donated to LOCAL shelters rather than to this scam group more intent on their own pocketbook than in helping animals.
Salaries may not be out of line with other groups, but definitely belie the advertising! Don’t forget, there are also other forms of compensation these type group leaders benefit from, such as directors fees for serving on similar groups’ boards, ‘consulting fees’ and more.
It’s definitely time for real investigations!
Please support your local humane societies. It will ensure that your money goes directly to the needy animals!!
The animal of the year should be the watchdog.
I have already put up 2 posts. I want to cry about all the negatives I am seeing about HSUS. The other night, on Pit Bulls and Parolees, located in California, a wonderful program, the episode was about a mammoth sized tornado that struck in Alabama. An animal rescue ranch was wiped out, sadly too many dogs died, and in stepped Tia of the PBandP. They went there to help, they started a fundraiser. At one point in the program, there was a truck from HSUS that had arrived with equipment to help rebuild and offer shelter and food for these dogs. I am scratching my head. I had always held the HSUS in such high esteem until lately hearing all the negatives.
If you are interested in really helping pets, do what this guy does….or dontate to him if you are physically able…This is where my monthly donations that WENT to HSUS will now be going. Check him out…go through and watch his many videos/rescues. There should be an ELDAD in every town, everywhere. The world would be a better place!
https://www.facebook.com/#!/eldad75
HSUS and PETA had clearly stated that there ultimate goal is complete animal liberation. That means nobody owns any type of animal. It doesn’t matter if it is beefcattle or a puppy. Does anyone really want to support someone like that? I thought that a non-profit organization was to be just that (NON-PROFIT)?
Frankly I agree to donate to the local shelters. If you have doubt in your city where the monies are going, take food, litter, bowls, bleach, alcohol, towels, small blankets, toys, paper towels, dish liquid, litter boxes, dog beds, etc. Save your receipt for a tax writeoff like you do with cash donations.
if they were in for the anmials they could live on less pay pigs at the table
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If the IRS doesn’t revoke the H$U$‘s tax-exempt status after this, they never will… Hey FBI: It’s high time for you to officially bring criminal charges against Wacky Wayne et al.