Congressman Speaks Out on HSUS

[tegamom1]

I posted this under Animal Protection, but many of you don't go check that out very often and I feel this should be shared.




Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Posts: 1,316 Alaskan Congressman ...HSUS comments

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alaska Rep. Donald Young April 1, 2011



From Congressman Young's office:

Alaskan Congressman Don Young refused an award this evening from The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Humane Society Legislative Fund that would have honored his work for animals in 2010. While capitalizing on the good work of local humane societies that shelter, spay, and neuter animals, the HSUS does not own, operate, or directly control a single animal shelter in our country, despite a budget of well over $100 million.

"HSUS are hypocrites, plain and simple, and I will not join them by accepting this award," said Rep. Young. "Local animal shelters and humane societies do excellent work by caring for neglected and homeless animals, and through their spaying and neutering programs. This organization, however, has absolutely nothing to do with animal welfare.

"Instead they prey on the emotions of big-hearted Americans. They flash images of abused animals on our television screens to raise money that will eventually go to pay their salaries and pensions, not to helping better the lives of these animals. They run anti-hunting and anti-trapping campaigns and are of the same cloth as PETA and other extremist organizations.

"I can only guess that I was to receive this award due to my support of the Wildlife Without Borders program, which develops wildlife management and conservation efforts to maintain global species diversity. That program is true conservation; what this group wants is preservation. To accept this award would be supporting their manipulative ways and misguided agenda, and I want no part of that."

[stanziog]

Thank you for posting this here. I had no idea about this with HSUS.

[yorkiekist]

Thanks for posting this!!!!

[OwnedByJezebel]

Good for him.

Always give directly to your local shelter or rescue. If you give to the HSUS, your money will not be used for the animals in need.

[Brooklynn]

Texas is in trouble. If you are from Tx please call your representive and oppose this bill:

EVERYONE.... Job for the day .... Call your Representative and ask their aids to find out the Representative's official position on HB1451 and HB 963. HB1451 has gone on the Local Cosent and Calendar Committee. Voice your concern that such a controversial bill is. This Committee is for non-controversial bills. It is set in this Committee because Rep Senfronia Thompson is the CHAIRMAN.

It's a bad bill for the state of TX!!!

Donna

[Brooklynn]

Shenanigans at the Texas Legislature!

RPOA received notice that HB 1451 has been placed on the Local and Consent
Calendar for this Thursday, March 14th.

We're working to get this bill pulled from the Consent Calendar so it will
go to a Floor Vote.

Dick Caldwell has given us permission to forward his excellent message below

to our TX RPOA E-News. As we speak RPOA representative Martine Huslig is at
the Capitol waiting to testify against HB 963, a Texas Humane Legislation
Network Bill designed to make the appeal cost prohibitive for animal owners.

Our members are the greatest and where else can so much animal expertise be
found?

Dick wrote,
This is the one [HB 1451] that made it to the local and consent calendar
Friday -
the so-called "puppy mill bill," more appropriately called the dog
breeder extinction bill. I have written about it before. HB 2116 is bad
too, but on the House web site that one is still pending in committee.
HB 1451 is what is immediately pressing, but stay tuned.

This url explains the local and consent calendar:
Guide to Texas Legislative Information--Process--Local Bills

Basically it is for noncontroversial bills: "Measures that are eligible
for consideration by the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars are
bills that are local as defined by the house rules and bills and
resolutions to which no opposition is anticipated."

HB 1451 absolutely does not fit, but whoever said AR [Animal Rights] doesn't

play dirty?

Also note: "A measure may be removed from the Local, Consent, and
Resolutions Calendar if debate exceeds 10 minutes or if five or more
representatives object to the consideration of the measure."
Either getting five Representatives to object or "filibustering" for 10
minutes would do it.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND ASK THEM TO OBJECT.
HB1451 is NOT local and most definitely opposition CAN be anticipated.

If we get five to object, it will accomplish the immediate objective
and, equally importantly, point out to the Legislature that the
so-called "puppy mill bill" totally FAILS to meet the "no-brainer"
criterion that its supporters are trying to foist off on the legislature
and the public.

Telephone your Representative. Give them your name and contact info when
they ask - they want to verify that you are a constituent. Tell them:

I OPPOSE HB1451. IT IS BEING CALLED "THE PUPPY MILL BILL" AND THAT IS
100% DECEPTIVE. IT WILL WRECK DOG BREEDING IN TEXAS, EVEN HOBBY
BREEDING. IT IS WRONG FOR THIS BILL TO BE ON THE LOCAL AND CONSENT
CALENDAR. PLEASE ASK THE STAFFER YOU TALK TO TO ASK THE REPRESENTATIVE
TO OBJECT TO THAT AND ASK THAT IT BE REMOVED FROM THE LOCAL AND CONSENT
CALENDAR.

A search box to find your representative is at
Texas House of Representatives - Frequently Asked Questions
- it will give you contact info also.

Another useful button is on the House home page
Texas House of Representatives - "click "how do I" to find out how to
track a bill, etc, as well as to find out your representative.

This certainly highlights the sneakiness of the bill's supporters. They
KNOW it is
controversial but they are making a mockery of process in the House to
try to steamroll it through.

Dick Caldwell
Glengowan Goldens

[tegamom1]

Thanks for letting us know, Donna.

[Wylie's Mom]

I support HSUS and their good work for animal welfare, as well as all their work they do in saving dogs from puppy mills and creating awareness toward mills, inhumane farming, cruel hunting practices etc etc.

If that makes me an extremist, I'm happy and honored to be one .

For those who maintain the rumor that HSUS doesn't do direct care, please see their site, their puppy mill work footage, and their sanctuaries - which are here: Animal Care Centers : The Humane Society of the United States

[tegamom1]

Their PR is quite good...That's how they bring in the bucks..
I know your heart is in the right place though.

[Mardelin]

Yes, that is where the majority of the money they collect is spent. PR. They have no Shelter.

I full support Human Society at a Local Level

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by tegamom1

Their PR is quite good...That's how they bring in the bucks..
I know your heart is in the right place though.

Thank you, that is a really nice thing to say and it means a lot to me .

Different opinions are what makes this board tick, so I think it's good to post this. We may have a lively discussion .

I don't agree w/ everything HSUS or PETA does, but I do appreciate much of it. Mostly though, my support goes more to direct care...but I do think we need awareness organizations in animal welfare too.

I don't like to see welfare orgs go after good breeders - that's not where our energy should be focused (in my opinion). I do love seeing them nail puppy mills, which we all love!

[Brooklynn]

Ann, we always know your heart is always with the animals and the humane treatment of them. That's what we love about you I believe we all on YT have the same feelings and heart and passion for all animals.
However, Animals Rights organizations and Animal Welfare organizations are a total different entity. These Animal Rights organizations wants to get rid of all breeders even those of us that are responsible and reputable. With their money and resources it just might happen one day if we don't put out more education between the difference between Animal Rights organizations and Animal Welfare Organizations.
I am an activist for Animal Welfare just I'm not an activist for taking away our rights to own and breed responsibly. I fully support supporting Local Shelters and SPCA's and non kill shelters. That is where my money and donations go.
Donna

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

Ann, we always know your heart is always with the animals and the humane treatment of them. That's what we love about you I believe we all on YT have the same feelings and heart and passion for all animals.
However, Animals Rights organizations and Animal Welfare organizations are a total different entity. These Animal Rights organizations wants to get rid of all breeders even those of us that are responsible and reputable. With their money and resources it just might happen one day if we don't put out more education between the difference between Animal Rights organizations and Animal Welfare Organizations.
I am an activist for Animal Welfare just I'm not an activist for taking away our rights to own and breed responsibly. I fully support supporting Local Shelters and SPCA's and non kill shelters. That is where my money and donations go.
Donna

Thank you . I think all of our hearts are in the right place...and that's always been wonderful to see.

I've written to both PETA and HSUS in the past, stating my opinion that good breeders are not where any of the focus should be. In my opinion, neither org will ever gain the power to put an end to pets/breeders. I do think HSUS is more amenable to breeders than PETA is. Both orgs do campaigns about adoption from shelters, and they don't mention putting an end to breeders in this campaign; they do speak against Mills in these campaigns, which I think is a good thing.

The conundrum is that we truly need orgs who do the exposes and publicity campaigns that PETA/HSUS do - bc so many people really don't understand the cruelty to animals until they see footage/proof. If it wasn't for orgs like PETA, our doggies would still be used in car crash-tests, vivisection would never have public knowledge, and cosmetic testing would never have decreased. Inhumane farming is another area that's come into the collective consciousness, which has been needed forever.

I understand how alienating these orgs can be for folks. The problem, though, is that we need orgs who are willing to focus on public awareness - just as much as we need to support direct care.

Money to shelters and direct-care has increased as publicity about animal cruelty increases, and this is where PETA/HSUS (or those similar) are vital.

It's always a tough subject here, but the discussion is so much more fruitful when people stay cool. It's nice to see it in this thread .

[Woogie Man]

I think the big groups like HSUS, ASPCA (not the same as local SPCAs) and possibly even now Best Friends have gotten too big. It seems like they've lost sight of their original mission and now job #1 is to get bigger (richer). At that point, it's not a group with a mission looking for funds but a group with funds looking for a mission.

As for HSUS, if they want to be an all-encompassing animal welfare group (ok...welfare being subject to argument), why not structure themselves like the United Way and partner with other animal welfare groups? With UW, you can direct your donations to specific causes within the group rather than just having your money dumped into a common pot or just let UW decide where the funds are to go.

As it is now, I think HSUS are deceptive in their advertising, using dogs and cats to 'front' for causes totally unrelated. They have also recently been downgraded by Charity Navigator, which is telling in many ways.

For a national animal welfare group (cats and dogs), I like the No-Kill Advocacy Center. They have a narrow focus that no one is confused about and do very well at it. Of course, supporting your local Humane Society or local SPCA (not ASPCA)is always a good thing.

[gemy]

It is way past time that breeders who are reputable and all breeders who belong to an AKC or CKC breed club, band together, and get recognized as the professionals they are. WE the breeders need a national voice, and self regulation and representation.

We need a strong advocacy arena, where upcoming bills across the country are scrutinized, and our voice of xxxx number strong can be heard loud and Clear. We need to propose legislation, not merely react adhoc to upcoming legislation.

We need to educate the public, our health care providers, our judges, and each other, on good sound breeding practices, health concerns and future concerns for the dog owning public. We need to be heard and have input into; whenever what ever organization or public office, starts to define or determine what a puppy mill is, what animal cruelty is or isn't, what are the building blocks to a reputable breeder, and so many other arenas.

Without an organzied front of numbers, of money to support our goals, without a unified voice, little by little, act by act, we shall find ourselves extinct.