The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has been in the news more than usual lately. Perhaps you have seen the commercials asking for your contribution of $19.00 a month to help rescue abused and abandoned animals? Those commercials are gut-wrenching, aren't they? It makes me want to hand over my wallet; do whatever it takes to help those animals.

However, if we look past the commercials and into the financial details of HSUS, it's obvious that their multi-million dollar annual budget ($111 million in 2008) is not spent on helping local animal shelters. Actually, the vast majority of local animal shelters around our country are not affiliated with HSUS. Check out the results of this nationwide poll and realize that we aren't the only ones confusing HSUS with local animal shelters.

Where does their money go? According to this overview of HSUS they 

To accomplish those goals the majority of their millions is spent on lobbyists and excutive staff salaries. According to an interesting article published in the Nation's Restauarant News (the leading U.S. foodservice publication),

For an in-depth report on how HSUS spends it's dollars, please watch this short news segment. If you are interested in more information about HSUS and the misleading ways it raises money, check out HumaneWatch.org.

On a personal note, we are supporters of our local animal shelter and we are appalled by any form of animal abuse or neglect. If you have read this blog for any length of time then you know we are people who truly love animals. From our posh canine geriatric unit to our newborn calf hospitality suite, we spend our days (and nights!) providing quality care for all of our animals. And we love doing it.