An Animal Lobbyist, or a Foreign Billionaire’s Pet?

Animal Wellness Action (AWA), the pet project of disgraced HSUS CEO Wayne Pacelle, has a new bankroller: Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss. Wyss’s foundation reported giving a $1 million donation to AWA in 2023. 

AWA had just $1.57 million in revenue in 2023, meaning Wyss’ million-dollar grant is a supermajority of AWA’s funding – effectively putting Pacelle on Wyss’ leash. 

So who exactly is Hansjörg Wyss?

Wyss is a Swiss citizen and the chairman of Synthes, a multinational medical equipment manufacturing company. Much like George Soros, he’s a major bankroller of liberal political causes, giving over $245 million to dark money groups New Venture Fund and Sixteen Thirty Fund. Both organizations have been linked to left-wing political activism via issue advocacy advertisements and ballot initiatives. Despite shoveling hundreds of millions of dollars into American politics, Wyss does not appear to be a US citizen.

Recently, Wyss bankrolled the environmentalist groups League of Conservation Voters and Wilderness Society. These organizations (unsuccessfully) led the charge against the nomination of current Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum. The president of Wyss’s foundation currently has positions on the boards of both environmentalist organizations.

Wyss was also the target of legislation introduced in the House of Representatives last year. The legislation sought to close loopholes that allow foreign nationals to influence America’s elections to funnel millions of dollars indirectly to political causes, in the same manner that Wyss does through the New Venture Fund and Sixteen Thirty Fund. 

Given the scrutiny it’s no surprise that Wyss would want to put American-born Wayne Paccelle in his pocket, but we should remember who really holds the leash the next time AWA comes knocking.