HSUS Lashes Out at U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance- (02/04)

http://www.ussportsmen.org/interact...Read.cfm?ID=995

The U. S. Sportsmen’s Alliance has drawn the ire of the nation’s largest animal rights group, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), due to the Alliance’s campaign to inform the public about PETsMART Charities’ $15,000 contribution to the anti-hunting organization.

In a recent alert to its supporters, HSUS claims the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance had “poor aim” in directing its sportsman constituents to oppose a sizeable donation from PETsMART, the pet supplies retail giant, to the anti-hunting group. The HSUS says that it will use the grant to fund spay and neuter clinics in Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia.

The Alliance does not take issue with the spaying and neutering of pets. However, sportsmen must realize that every dollar the anti-hunters receive from corporate America to fund their programs represents money that is freed up for use in national campaigns to end hunting, trapping and fishing.

According to a recent article in Worth Magazine, the Humane Society of the United States brought in $65 million in revenue in 2000, but gave out only $1.6 million in cash grants to other animal protection groups. In fact, the American Institute of Philanthropy “gives the group a D for spending as much as 53 percent of its expenses on fundraising,” said the Worth article.

The HSUS is on record in opposition to all hunting. The animal rights organization calls hunting “fundamentally at odds with the values of a humane, just and caring society,” and has been the principal opponent of hunters and trappers in dozens of campaigns in the 50 state legislatures, in Congress, in the courts and in over a dozen voter issues.

Wayne Pacelle, vice president of HSUS and former Director of the Fund for Animals, has been quoted by the Associated Press as saying, “If we could shut down all sport hunting in a moment, we would.”

“Sportsmen are encouraged to tell PETsMART and other businesses that support animal rights groups that they are supporting an agenda that is working to end our outdoor heritage and our traditional way of life,” said U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance President Bud Pidgeon. “When you support an organization, you support everything it stands for, not just the parts that you think are good.”

Take Action! Sportsmen and sportswomen should continue to contact PETsMART to express their dissatisfaction with its support of the HSUS. Contact Philip Francis, President & CEO, PETsMART, Inc., 19601 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027. Phone: (800) 738-1385. Fax: (623) 580-6518.