I realize this has nothing to do with African and is leaning towards the political side of things, however I feel it is important to get this out to the largest audience on this forum. ~ Alan


Rep. Young of Alaska Refuses Humane Society Award

Alaskan Congressman Don Young refused an award from The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Humane Society Legislative Fund that would have honored his work for animals in 2010.

“While they capitalize on the good work of local humane societies that shelter, spay, and neuter animals, the HSUS does not own, operate, or directly control a single animal shelter in our country, despite a budget of well over $100 million. HSUS are hypocrites, plain and simple, and I will not join them by accepting this award,” said Rep. Young. “Local animal shelters and humane societies do excellent work by caring for neglected and homeless animals, and through their spaying and neutering programs.”

Young further noted that “this organization, however, has absolutely nothing to do with animal welfare. Instead they prey on the emotions of big-hearted Americans. They flash images of abused animals on our television screens to raise money that will eventually go to pay their salaries and pensions, not to helping better the lives of these animals. They run anti-hunting and anti-trapping campaigns and are of the same cloth as PETA and other extremist organizations. I can only guess that I was to receive this award due to my support of the Wildlife Without Borders program, which develops wildlife management and conservation efforts to maintain global species diversity. That program is true conservation; what this group wants is preservation. To accept this award would be supporting their manipulative ways and misguided agenda, and I want no part of that.”

"Congressman Young has been a champion of some of the greatest conservation efforts in this countries history," said Bud Pidgeon, USSA president and CEO. "As sportsmen we owe him a great debt of gratitude for refusing to acknowledge a group that wants to destroy conservation."

Good for him!

Very glad to hear this. Wish we had a congress full of his type.

Bravo!

That's great news, Good for him!!!!

A politician with cajones!

I am unsure about what constitutes a facility designated as "animal shelter", but here in Gainesville, there is a Humane Society facility from which homeless animals can be directly adopted.

quote:

Originally posted by conifer:
I am unsure about what constitutes a facility designated as "animal shelter", but here in Gainesville, there is a Humane Society facility from which homeless animals can be directly adopted.

The chances are good that the facility is affiliated with the American Humane Association or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and not the Humane Society of the United States.

There's a huge difference. HSUS is the mother of all animal rights organizations. The others are concerned with animal welfare. HSUS plays off the good they do.

Bill Quimby

Wow, a politician with ethics.

conifer-You fell into their trap. That is what they count on. Bill nailed it. It will not be HSUS.

HSUS is one of the biggest and best funded threats to hunting in the United States.

Bob

"Who is the Humane Society of the United States?"

"HSUS raises $65 million each year, and has total assets of over $100 million. This huge pot of money goes toward a continual barrage of political campaigns and lobbying to stop hunting and trapping – with almost zero being contributed toward caring for lost or abandoned pets (less than 1.8% given to local programs – and even then mostly for anti-hunting and anti-trapping political campaigns like Maine’s Bear referendum.

In addition, HSUS partners with many other radical animal rights groups to share the financing for their anti-hunting campaigns. Their partners include the Fund for Animals, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

As a charity, HSUS has often been criticized by watchdog groups for its wastefully high fundraising expenses, and for misrepresenting who and what they are. HSUS has also been criticized for the huge salaries of its very well paid campaign managers and organizers – the top managers receive over $200,000 in annual salary!

Even Merritt Clifton, publisher of "Animal People", a newsletter written by animal rightists for animal rightists, singled out HSUS for appearing to be something it is not. In December’s 11th annual report on fundraising, under the heading "How they fool the world", he writes:

"The most misleading appeals that Animal People sees on a regular basis are those which misrepresent the sender. Over time, such appeals can create an image for an organization which is sharply at odds with what it actually does."

"The Humane Society of the U.S., for instance, is not and never has been a collective voice for all, most, or any other humane societies. Neither does it shelter animals, adopt out animals, neuter animals, or share funding with local humane societies. In fact, HSUS is an advocacy organization representing just itself."

Many of HSUS’ leaders have been radical anti-hunting activists all their life. A large portion of the current HSUS leaders came from extreme groups like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the Fund for Animals, Animal Liberation Front, and other organizations."

Glad to hear this!!