I am writing this on the morning of Valentine's Day, looking out at a
beautiful sunny morning that makes me feel like it is spring. The calm
and tranquil morning takes me momentarily away from the stress of daily
life.
Reality, however, calls for keeping my feet on the ground while I take
hold of my sensitive heart. An enduring question about the Humane
Society of the United States has continually bothered me. I wonder what
actual shelters the society helped financially after the devastation of
Hurricane Katrina.
I remember one of the spokesmen for this multimillion- dollar non-profit
organization at the site of one shelter reassuring the public, "We need
substantial financial donations to rebuild the shelters." His request
touched many hearts of pet and animal lovers. The television crews were
showing dogs desperate for survival: clinging to trees, swimming through
debris-ridden water, perched on top of roofs surrounded by rising water.
Emotions were raw as we watched the animals left behind. In less than
two weeks, the Humane Society raised millions of dollars.
It has been some time now since the aftermath of the hurricane, and I
have made inquires about financial help given by the Humane Society of
the United States to shelters in that area. I have been told, however,
that there are no records of monetary donations. There were, however,
many publicity pictures taken next to dogs and cats that appeared to
have been rescued by this agency.
This made me reflect on a time some 15 years ago when Merritt Clifton,
editor of Animal People, stated: "The Humane Society of the United
States is not, and never has been, a collective voice for all, most, or
any other humane societies. Neither does it shelter animals, adopt out
animals, neuter or spay animals or share funding with local humane
societies. In fact, (it) is an advocacy organization representing just
itself."
During the Katrina emergency, many individuals and organizations
independent of HSUS rescued and transported animals to shelters outside
of the disaster area of New Orleans without any compensation from HSUS.
I know of a few that saved many animals, housing them and giving them
proper medical treatment. To them, a heartfelt thanks.
It is disappointing, though, that whenever there is a disaster, a couple
of organizations always seem to be on site for the publicity pictures
that bring the most donations.
This appears to be the case for the HSUS; more publicity, less action;
more money for administration costs, less for actual help. Grassroots
organizations seem to be more effective in providing the real help
needed in disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.
