Pressing HSUS’s feet to the fire

In the two weeks since we told you about creation of HumaneWatch.org and its mission to separate fraud from fact about the Humane Society of the United States, we’re delighted to report that turning up the heat of scrutiny is already producing some results.

First came a colossal tidal wave of public backlash against the Australian company that makes Yellow Tail wine after it announced a $100,000 donation to HSUS in February. This prompted the company to investigate what HSUS’s priorities really are – and then make a public apology and promise to never donate to the group again.

An essentially identical story was repeated a few days later by Pilot Travel Centers, a U.S. chain of gas stations that caters to long-haul truckers, which was also clueless about HSUS’s anti-agriculture mission. Then yesterday, Precious Cat, Inc., a cat litter company that had been listed on the HSUS “corporate supporters” page, announced it had withdrawn its support and henceforth would make donations to actual animal shelters instead.

While the truth about HSUS may finally be getting out in some quarters, communicating the message to the public will be an uphill struggle. Just how steep that challenge is was illustrated by results of a nationwide public opinion poll released on Tuesday this week. In it, 71 percent of those polled the previous week agreed with the statement that, “HSUS is an umbrella group that represents thousands of local humane societies all across America.” However, HumaneWatch.org says tax records filed by HSUS show this statement is, in fact, false.

The heat is on, ladies and gentlemen, and we think HSUS may be starting to sweat.

Make a bowl of popcorn and check out this website

Ladies and gentlemen it’s showtime at last.

One of the best surprises we’ve had in a long time arrived in our e-mail on Tuesday this week, from the Center for Consumer Freedom in Washington D.C. announcing it has formed HumaneWatch.org to be a watchdog to fan away the smoke and clear the mirrors of propaganda spewed by the Humane Society of the United States.

Pinch us because it feels like a dream.

In the announcement, CCF Director of Research David Martosko said, “Nearly one million Americans donate money to HSUS every year, and most are completely unaware that they’re bankrolling PETA-style propaganda, far-reaching anti-meat campaigns, a huge staff of lawyers, and bloated pension plans for HSUS executives.

“Donors deserve to know exactly how their money is being spent,” he continued. “HumaneWatch will create an open dialogue for farmers, scientists, fashion designers, entertainers, and countless Americans who love both their pets and their chicken sandwiches.”

Browse through the HumaneWatch website and you’ll see no shortage of critical questions and fact-supported statements that paint a picture of HSUS as a relentless fund-raising machine, rather than a benevolent savior of unwanted pets that its tear-jerker TV commercials want people to believe. Among HumaneWatch’s most recent entries is a connect-the-dot sequence that strongly suggests HSUS’s claimed membership of 11 million – which it wields like a bludgeon over the heads of politicians – is actually only 420,000.

Yes, we are positively giddy that HumaneWatch is putting HSUS and its one-sided tactics under the microscope. We’re also going to pull up a chair and watch, and we can’t wait to see what happens. Extra butter anyone?