quicksilver,

I think you may be right as far as stating that many members of peta that are not really active volunteers or protestors or whatnot being misguided contributors thinking about puppies and I would bet that much of the literature they receive reflects that clouded misrepresentation.
However, IMHO, peta's 501(c) status as a federally recognized charitable organization should be revoked as they funnel money to other, more radical animal rights groups like ELF. It's hard to believe that people should be able to realize a tax deduction for an organization that wants to take my hunting AND FISHING rights away. Although you can earmark your contributions for a particular cause within a cause, it still gives them more financial flexibility overall. Because if they have a certain budget for puppies, you help them meet that so that other monies can be contributed to what many see as there primary purpose.
As a hunter/fisherman/lover of the outdoors, I would personally ask you to convince your fiancee to possibly rethink her/your contributions (sounds like she wears the pants) to something more on the local level, if possible, or perhaps she can contribute a little time as a volunteer or something else to feel good. I don't really have any concrete alternative avenues for good donations, but perhaps others here will, or maybe talk to a local veternarian who is an avid outdoorsman(????). Anyway, I think no matter what idea your money is given for, contributing to peta is contrary to our outdoor way of life.
hb