An investigation petition issued to 12 Attorneys General Thursday, including Kansas AG Derek Schmidt, by HumaneWatch.org alleges deceptive fundraising practices by the HSUS. HumaneWatch.org is a project of the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF).
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) denies the allegations and says its supporters understand the HSUS mission is to protect all animals, including farm animals, wildlife, horses, pets and others.
According to Rachel Querry, Senior Communications Director, The Humane Society of the United States is rated a 4-star charity (the highest possible) by Charity Navigator, approved by the Better Business Bureau for all 20 standards for charity accountability, voted by Guidestar’s Philanthropedia as the #1 high-impact animal protection group, and named by Worth Magazine as one of the 10 most fiscally responsible charities.
“Our supporters understand the ugly truth – animals are at risk in part because of the policies and business practices of corporations that pay the Center for Consumer Freedom to attack The HSUS and other reputable charities and public interest organizations,” counters Querry.
Querry says the HSUS effort in Kansas the past several years includes working to pass a felony law against animal cruelty in 2005 and a felony law against cockfighting in 2009. HSUS also provides assistance and training to disaster response professionals and emergency managers across the state to include planning for animals in disaster situations.
The Kansas HSUS director, Midge Grinstead, is based in Lawrence.
The United States Humane Society and HumaneWatch.org are both based in Washington, D.C.
More information about The HSUS and its response to HumaneWatch.org is available at: http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/opposition/opposition.html
Original Story
Washington, DC – HumaneWatch.org, a project of the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF), has petitioned Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt to investigate the deceptive fundraising practices of the animal rights group Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
HumaneWatch.org released a report Thursday alleging what they call “HSUS’s misleading telemarketing, direct mail, and television appeals.”
The new analysis also speculates that the animal rights group’s fundraising activities could violate some charitable solicitation or consumer protection laws in the Kansas.
You can view the report here: http://www.humanewatch.org/images/uploads/DeceptiveFundraisingPracticesofHSUS.pdf