Kathy Grosso's letter to the Riverside Press Enterprise

Kathy Grosso wrote this letter to the Riverside Press Enterprise after an article was run regarding the "egg abuse" video recently produced by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Cross-posted with permission.

Dear P. J. Huffstutter:

Since you have opened the door on the subject of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), I thought it might be appropriate to fill you in on some interesting side notes.

HSUS is a well-oiled political machine, that is not what it appears to be. There is little doubt that It is closely aligned with the so-called “animal rights” activists, a fanatical group whose consuming goal is to eliminate the meat industry (they believe that everyone should be vegetarians), all pet ownership, circus animals, dairy farms, horse breeding stables, chicken ranches, dog shows, etc. In that regard, they are incrementally pushing for mandatory spay and neuter legislation, one city at a time, forcing pet owners to neuter or spay their pets. Pet lovers need to consider where they will obtain their next pets, if these people get their way, and all dogs and cats are ultimately incapable of reproducing. Their euthanasia statistics have often been undocumented and/or grossly overstated. In fact, some shelters have been reported to have “imported” small dogs from other places, states and even countries, to satisfy the demand for such pets. Much of the euthanasia numbers actually pertains to cats, very old or sick dogs, and those with temperament issues, which make them unacceptable for adoption.

The general public should be aware that less than 1% of HSUS’ total income, generated by well-intended animal lovers, is actually spent on animals. The rest pays for lobbyists, self-promotion, advertising and management salaries. As an example, Wayne Pacelle, their reigning President, earns nearly $230,000.00 per year. Despite the implications of their emotional TV commercials, they do not operate ANY animal shelters. (Please do not confuse this organization with local Humane Societies, which are, hopefully, what they seem to be and are separate from HSUS.) HSUS has been known to take credit for animal rescues that either never happened (in Haiti), or in which they never participated. As an example, your attention is directed to the following web site: http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/12/04/hsus-fund-raising-pitch-raises-hackles/.

In addition, HSUS is under investigation by IRS, as a result of their outrageously lopsided financial reports, jeopardizing their current tax-exempt status as a non-profit.

FELD Ent., the parent company of Ringling Bros. Circus, filed suit in February against HSUS under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. This occurred after the HSUS suit against Feld Ent., for animal cruelty, was thrown out of court.

One additional side note: a Federal Judge, Charles Simpson, recently handed down a decision in Kentucky, which essentially says that animals are “personal property”, meaning they cannot be legally seized by any public entity for failure to license, spay, neuter, microchip or vaccinate without due process of law. This landmark decision lends strength to the belief of many animal owners, that these decisions should be made between pet owners and their veterinarians, not by politicians and animal “activists”, who are often well-meaning celebrities duped into making huge financial contributions. It also means that should such seizures occur, those who perpetrate them can be sued personally and individually by the animals’ owners.

Just food for thought……..

Kathleen Grosso

Banning, CA