[News]HSUS, PETA Make Grab For $8 Billion Trust Fund--Action Alert!

[Nikki+2]

Since this was already brought up, before somebody links Ingrid Newkirk's quote about not believing we should breed dogs anymore- you're right she did. That is her personal opinion and she has every right to her own personal opinions but it is not on PETA's agenda. Some PETA supporters probably feel that way and many don't.

I will say while I never want my right to have dogs taken from me I can see how somebody who has spent her life trying to protect animals from humans would start feeling that way. Search YouTube for puppy mills, animal testing, factory farming, fur industry and watch a few videos if you can (I can't), heck just watch the ASPCA commercial. This is what humans do to animals and this has been what Ingrid Newkirk has spent her life trying to end. I've honestly never understood why animal lovers have a problem with that.

[Nancy1999]

I'm not surprised Leona Helmsley would do something like this, she was a savvy businesswoman, but a mean hearted person. I hope no worthy organization is using donated money on lawyers to get part of this money, because I'll bet she knew they'd never see a dime.

[Lou]

We have gotten waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy off topic.
The issue is that the money is supposed to go to helping dogs and do we want these two organizations to grab it when so many DOG rescues need funding desperately!

[Kris Christine]

The point of cross-posting John Yates' letter is to let the dog loving community know that there is a tremendous amount of money in the Helmsley trust that is supposed to be distributed to organizations that "help" dogs.

Personally, I do not believe that an organization that euthanizes 85-90% of the animals it "rescues" is helping them. Imagine how far those billions could go if they were distributed to local animal shelters and rescues? If you are concerned about the issue and want to make sure the money goes to a group or organization that you believe helps dogs, perhaps even a Yorkie Health Foundation, then you should write to the Helmsley trustees at the address given in the first post.

[Lou]

Originally Posted by Kris Christine

The point of cross-posting John Yates' letter is to let the dog loving community know that there is a tremendous amount of money in the Helmsley trust that is supposed to be distributed to organizations that "help" dogs.

Personally, I do not believe that an organization that euthanizes 85-90% of the animals it "rescues" is helping them. Imagine how far those billions could go if they were distributed to local animal shelters and rescues? If you are concerned about the issue and want to make sure the money goes to a group or organization that you believe helps dogs, perhaps even a Yorkie Health Foundation, then you should write to the Helmsley trustees at the address given in the first post.

I agree.

[PCMom]

My only comment to this is...the HSUS is the only org. that helped me with tracking down Pepper's breeder (a puppymiller who deals with THE biggest broker in the country). They investigated and are keeping an eye on her AND we made sure she knew it. No other org. could be bothered including PETA. Pepper's illness made his life very hard...so hard he only lived to be 3 1/2 years old. I don't agree with everything the HSUS has had to do but at least they DO care about the animals. I will continue to support them anyway I can.

[Harley_chik]

What is the "National Humane Society?" I only know of the American Humane Society and The Humane Societ of the United States (the one refered to in the letter). I believe in animal welfare not animal rights. HSUS leans a little too far to the AR side, but they have done great things for animals. Oprah and the investigation of Pets of Belaire comes to mind. I think the money should be distibuted among smaller rescue groups and shelters b/c the bigger a charity, the bigger the percentage of donations that goes to "administative costs."

[Kris Christine]

Dogs have provided incomparable companionship throughout my life and I always want the option of having one of these blessed creatures by my side preserved.

Will Wisconsin Outlaw Dog Breeding? by Loretta Baughan When asked if he envisioned a future without pets, “If I had my personal view, perhaps that might take hold. In fact, I don’t want to see another dog or cat born.” Wayne Pacelle quoted in Bloodties: Nature, Culture and the Hunt by Ted Kerasote, 1993, p. 266.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Kris Christine

Dogs have provided incomparable companionship throughout my life and I always want the option of having one of these blessed creatures by my side preserved.

Will Wisconsin Outlaw Dog Breeding? by Loretta Baughan When asked if he envisioned a future without pets, “If I had my personal view, perhaps that might take hold. In fact, I don’t want to see another dog or cat born.” Wayne Pacelle quoted in Bloodties: Nature, Culture and the Hunt by Ted Kerasote, 1993, p. 266.

Personally, I find taking one single quote out of context - especially when aimed at a personal agenda - is not worth much weight. It reminds me of a gossip magazine who tries to take one sentence out of an entire interview - and makes that person entirely about that one sentence. I doubt Wayne Pacelle (as I've just read about him) is just about this one sentence, just as Ingrid Newkirk is not just about the "one sentences" so many like to believe. As human beings, we are simply not that one-dimensional.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Harley_chik

What is the "National Humane Society?" I only know of the American Humane Society and The Humane Societ of the United States (the one refered to in the letter). I believe in animal welfare not animal rights. HSUS leans a little too far to the AR side, but they have done great things for animals. Oprah and the investigation of Pets of Belaire comes to mind. I think the money should be distibuted among smaller rescue groups and shelters b/c the bigger a charity, the bigger the percentage of donations that goes to "administative costs."

I made reference to the National Humane Society, sorry, I always call it that, I should have said the The Humane Society of the United States.

Originally Posted by Kris Christine

Dogs have provided incomparable companionship throughout my life and I always want the option of having one of these blessed creatures by my side preserved.

Will Wisconsin Outlaw Dog Breeding? by Loretta Baughan When asked if he envisioned a future without pets, “If I had my personal view, perhaps that might take hold. In fact, I don’t want to see another dog or cat born.” Wayne Pacelle quoted in Bloodties: Nature, Culture and the Hunt by Ted Kerasote, 1993, p. 266.

I agree with Wylie's Mom, and think it's never a good idea to take quotes out of context, whether Wayne Pacelle actually believes this or not, I can't be certain. However, I don't think I would choose to ignore it if he said it enough times without explaining exactly what he meant. I have heard out of his own mouth him say he believed in responsible breeding, and responsible breeders. Perhaps someone made him say it, I don't know. Presidents of corporations have personal opinions, and we should always ask ourselves, how much does their opinion influence the company's agenda? I would think in Wayne Pacelle's case he would have a limited influence on the Humane Society's goals, but that's just my opinion.

[m102262]

I love my dogs. Irresponsible pet owners are just that. In my opinion HS tries to stop irresonsibility in pet ownership in a manor in which people seem to understand and as a result, hopefully relate to and implement. On the up side, PETA has for me, brought awareness to unnecessary, harmful pet treatment- ie: wearing a fur coat??!! WHY??!!

That said, we are a nation that must have common sense. If one of my children- much more important than my pets or myself, for that matter had cancer and something could be done to help find a cure I would give MY life for that. Fanticism for me is a turn off. My mind closes down. HS would hopefully use that money to give more people an opportunity to adopt, neuter and spay by awareness through media and the finances to prolong the death sentence of a pet that is adoptable. Also important the type of rehabilitation that was witnessed in the Vick- (scum) pitbull case. Those dogs would have been put down but instead were rehabilitated through funds he was forced to provide and now visit elderly!

Bottom line, I would have loved to see her $, since there is so much of it, help animals, feed a hungry child and rebuild a home lost to Katrina, BUT I guess that's just it, Leona never asked me. So, since this is all about the animals that she loved, Thank God for The Animal Planet, The Dog Whisperer, HS and all of the Volunteers who help an animal find a home. PETA; I know has good intentions, but for me, a little too out there at times. I have a right to keep and love my dogs- both, one I bought after much research from responsible Breeder and one I rescued, a Pit Bull with an attitude (he no longer has) hit by the side of the road.

[Harley_chik]

Funny you should mention the Vick pit bulls. PETA pushed to have all of those dogs euthanized. They are anti-pit bull and actually had the nerve to say spending that money on those particular dogs was a waste of money. They should know, they are experts in wasting money. My understanding is that the money will more than likely go to an animal based charity, it's just a matter of which one would actually do something good.

[m102262]

Thanks for that. Nothing makes me more frustrated than some complete idiot like Vick and others who think that Animals don't have feelings or a soul and don't deserve humaine treatment. When they get caught the dogs are immediately killed. WHY? Our Pit would not have been my pick for a pet but he picked us that day and though he was mistreated horribly then dumped out of the car in a busy city, he deserved to have what people did to him made right. After 3 years, he has become loving and loyal and he is so in love with my 4 pound yorkie and my 5 year old son that giving him a second chance has gone from a gift to him to a gift for us.

[Harley_chik]

Thanks for telling your story. I don't have a pit, but I think they are great dogs. Unfortunately they are appealing to lowlifes. I have a Rottweiler and know how ignorant people can be about certain breeds. My brother has a gorgeous dark brindle pit named Hawg. He just wandered up to them on the street one day and they took him in. He and my Rottweiler have changed a lot of minds among our family and friends. It's up to owners like you to tell the truth about the breed b/c the media prefers to go with the hype. If you would like to PM me, I would love to hear more about your pit.

[m102262]

Originally Posted by Harley_chik

Thanks for telling your story. I don't have a pit, but I think they are great dogs. Unfortunately they are appealing to lowlifes. I have a Rottweiler and know how ignorant people can be about certain breeds. My brother has a gorgeous dark brindle pit named Hawg. He just wandered up to them on the street one day and they took him in. He and my Rottweiler have changed a lot of minds among our family and friends. It's up to owners like you to tell the truth about the breed b/c the media prefers to go with the hype. If you would like to PM me, I would love to hear more about your pit.

I loved this because it really points out that it's really all about education! I love shows like the ones shown on Animal Planet because honestly in the mind of a good person, I don't know about you but I had no idea that people could do the things that they do to animals. It's all about how you are raised to think; to have respect for life, human as well as animals or view animals as livestock. I have met quite a few Rotties and some Pit Bulls. One of our friend's is a dog trainer who is often featured on Animal Planet and loves big breeds. These are the sweetest, loveable, LOYAL dogs you can imagine as you know. So, if some of this money was spent on media and PSA's to try to make it uncool to mistreat or fight a dog, just like they have with drugs we may start to live in a world that is kinder and wiser!

I have got to take a picture of Buddy, our Pit with Barclay our 4 pounder who is constantly trying to wrestle with him. He tackles Buddy until finally he noses him off and then when they get worn out, they lay down together.

By the way- what a great Pit name- Hawg. Too bad we didn't think of that! We honestly named Buddy that to be sarchastic because initially he was no ones Buddy!