HumaneWatch wrote:

Despite the words “humane society” in its name, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) isn’t affiliated with any community-based humane societies or other pet shelters. HSUS doesn’t run a single pet shelter, nor does it serve as a national headquarters for humane societies that serve cities, towns, counties or states...

...In fact, very little money given to the Humane Society of the United States will ever reach a pet shelter. According to HSUS’s 2008 tax return, less than half of one percent (0.5%) of HSUS budget consisted of grants to hands-on pet shelters. And in 2009, again according to HSUS’s the tax returns, less than one percent of HSUS’s budget (0.8%, to be exact) consisted of grants to shelters.

Despite its annual budget of more than $100 million, the Humane Society of the United States doesn’t actually provide much hands-on care to pets. HSUS and its affiliated groups have more than $191 million in assets, $160 million of which HSUS itself holds. And HSUS has put away millions in an executive pension plan—more than $16 million since 1998. During the same period, HSUS shared less money with pet shelters....

...HSUS spends millions on lobbying, including costly ballot initiatives that target family farmers. HSUS’s national agenda is fundamentally focused on furthering an animal “rights” philosophy.

The Bottom Line: The Humane Society of the United States is not what it seems. HSUS is focused on winning “rights” for animals—not helping the pets depicted in its TV ads. Americans who want their contributions to impact pet shelters should give locally.