Cute Kittens, Playful Puppies & HSUS Lies
Like many pet lovers, it’s hard for me to resist a fuzzy little kitten or puppy dog playing. I was the official kitten rescuer on our farm and saved the lives of several by bottle feeding them. Many of my childhood memories center around animals – trying to persuade the Saint Bernard to pull me on a sled, hours in the hay mow with cats and fun with calves. I also remember going to local animal shelters and feeling terrible for the animals who had no home. So I “get” the attraction to campaigns run by the Humane Society of the United States – after all, who wants to see these cute little creatures suffer?
The reality is that the Humane Society of the United States is falsely advertising to attract animal lovers’ dollars. Many great people and organizations have unknowingly contributed because they wanted to help animals. Just this week, Yellow Tail wines announced they were contributing $100,000 to HSUS – and subsequently have found wrath on Facebook and Twitter with hundreds asking how an agricultural company could come to such a decision.
Why? Take a look at a law school article that outlines “The Myth of the Humane Society of the United States” and illustrates how the bulk of HSUS balance was spent on fundraising, campaigns and lawsuits. “There is one minor detail left out of these commercials. The Humane Society of the United States is not a large network of animal shelters, as it would have you to believe. In fact, the HSUS does not own, operate, or lease a single animal shelter in our country.”
2008 HSUS Expenditures
Before you chalk this up to another farm person who doesn’t value animals as much as you do, consider this. I have shed thousands of tears about my cows dying, held them in my arms while they took their last breath, gave them I.V.s with more love than most nurses show, supported baby calves who could not stand, nurtured kittens from near death, watched my 4-H animals be loaded on the trailer for slaughter and still remember the heartbreak my first cat getting run over by a UPS truck. I’ve also had my body implanted into the side of a truck by an irate show heifer (yes, I left a dent), been cornered in a box stall by a protective mother cow and had a cow flip me up over a free stall, slammed on to my back.
I “get” animals. I love animals, even when they’re rotten. I believe they should receive the best possible care and be treated with respect. However, I know animals are not human and should not be valued the same as humans. Farm animals, as much as we may love them, serve a purpose. That purpose is to provide food for humans. Our society, generations removed from the farm, doesn’t talk about that without getting squeamish. This makes us susceptible to falling prey to false advertising by groups such as HSUS that ARE working to end farm animal production in the States, funded by the campaigns of cats and kittens. As Mike Rowe says “I happen to believe that using emotion to manipulate voters is just plain unethical and wrong.”
In a recent article questioning the campaigns of animal rights groups such as HSUS and PETA, Rowe goes on to say “Who wouldn’t get choked up to see a mistreated animal? And look, I’m sure that some farmers use methods that are not humane. I’m equally sure that there are many who don’t. Just like all blondes aren’t dumb and all polish people aren’t stupid, the few bad eggs shouldn’t represent the many good ones (sorry – I just couldn’t resist saying that). Should we put every good citizen in prison and let the prisoners run free? Just like you can’t say that every person who owns a puppy is going to treat it like the bozo down the street that runs a puppy mill, you can’t say that all farm animals are abused and all farmers are to blame. I don’t believe that keeping a chicken in a cage, free from bad weather or predators and feeding them well and making sure they stay healthy is a bad thing.”
Support your local animal shelter if you want to help companion animals. As this article points out, “local donations will result in aid reaching animals.” Get involved and volunteer if you love animals and are concerned with their welfare. But please know there is a substantial difference between your local humane society and the Humane Society of the United States who spends less than 5% of nearly $200 million in assets on local shelters. And, if you are concerned about what farmers are doing to animals, go to a farm (not a petting zoo) and ASK A FARMER. I’ll be glad to help you find one to visit if you’re at a loss of where to get started.
If you’re a farmer, share some of these facts with your friends – and while you’re at it, tell them about your farm. Who knows, you might help someone understand that your cow is not their dog.
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Thanks Michele, I came from the city to marry a farmer – been around dairy farms since I was little. But I will never forget the first calf I lost…..she had a navel infection that went into her joints…for three weeks I soaked her swollen ankle two times a day for 20 minutes…ever tried to hold a calf still who is vigorious…mind you this was in the dead of winter in Michigan. She came back for a month, then declined again, then got better…after she was weaned she again declined. Finally my husband and I decided to put her down. I held this 200+ pound calf during the process with streams of tears…I was sobbing by the end…I still think of her and vow to always do whatever I can to care for our dairy calves and cows. I get really upset to see HSUS working to destroy what the American Farmer and their ancestors have done to provide a quality food supply to Americans and the global market. It is a thankless job, but one we are proud to do and will do until we can pass the farm to the next generation. I only hope we can better educate the public on those who fight against us.
Thank you so much for this article. I too vow to care for my dairy cattle as if they were apart of my family. I can name each cow on our farm, its mother, father and birth date becasue dairy farming is not just a livilhood, it’s a proud way of life. I am so thankful that I was raised on a dairy farm and positive promotion like yours protects that upbringing for future generations and the lives of all consumers worldwide.
Mike Rowe’s comments say it all. Assuming that all farmers abuse their cows is like assuming that all parents abuse their kids. Not true.
Thanks again!
I had a two-hour conversation with an attorney in NYC who is against “factory farming” this week about this subject and he wants to hear more stories about how livestock producers have “shed tears” over their animals and take care of calves born in the middle of a blizzard. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for this post. When it comes to stories of sheding tears over animals, I vividly remember as a child when we had a calf born on Christmas Eve during a heavy snowstorm. The calf was born pre-mature and was subsequently very small. My dad brought her in the house, where she lived in our basement during the holiday and into the first days of the new year. The tears that were shed, belonged to my sister and I as our “friend” who our family had strengthened into a healthy, thriving calf was moved back to the barn as she was getting too big to continue living in our basement! My parent’s special gift of caring for young calves was passed down to me and just a few years ago, we had another calf born pre-mature – this one was about 7 weeks early and born during late fall. I cleared out a space in my laundry room where I bottle fed and cared for the calf for a couple of weeks until I moved her to a special pen in my garage (and ended up parking my car outside in the snow the entire winter). For me, tears were shed about two years later when she delivered her first healthy, calf. I was proud to know that I helped her as she struggled through her first few weeks and had the joy of seeing her as she grew into a promising young cow!
Hi Michele- I am wondering, since I’m writing about the horse industry and the HSUS affects it’s having on us, can I re-publish this blog in its entirety on mine? I will make sure the links all work, and give you credit for writing it, but you did such a great job! Thanks so much!
I think there needs to be a bit of balance on both sides of this conversation. I totally get that not all ag folks are evil. But realize that the reason so much of HSUS dollars are spent on lawsuits is that unfortunately, the only way to get some businesses to change is by bringing them to court. They often need to sue the government to affect change there as well. And the campaign costs are to make sure that the public is aware of what’s happening.
This is a wonderful illustration of an inside the DC beltway organization that is far afield of it’s stated mission..which is to prevent cruelty to animals. I no longer support HSUS but choose to support local shelters instead. HSUS not only attacks local farmers but has also chosen to partner with convicted dog murderer Michael Vick because, in my opinion, his fame could help elevate their profile to gain a fundraising advantage. I’m glad that others are beginning to see the HSUS for what it really is, an advocacy group for particular political ideologies.
Cari, we are a ‘factory farm’ as so many non-farmers like to call us. My father-in-law began as a very small farm in the 50’s with the pigs, chickens, and cows. Once my husband was about 8 years old, he wanted to milk the cows, but because “dad” called them by name some of them won’t come in to milk….the family farm has come a long way from that time in the 60’s. My husband has built our family farm from 200 cows in 2000 to 650 today. For father’s day we gave my father-in-law a book of pictures from our most productive cow – she has 6 generations of offspring, 19 of which are still on the farm. He views it with pride. Tell your NYC friend that the vast majority of ‘factory farms’ were once small family farms. Because there isn’t huge profits in dairy farming, it is necessary to build on your farm for future generations to be able to farm. We have two small boys we hope to pass the farm to, but there is no way 3 families (husband/I and 2 son’s families) could survive on 200 cows or 650 cows. I would invite your friend to learn more. As you do get bigger of course you cannot have a ‘name’ for each of your animals, but that doesn’t mean you care any less for them. The cow mentioned above died last fall and I was saddened by the loss, as I am when any of our cows go. She was a gentle cow and will become part of our new logo – she was 12 years old upon her death. Anyone who thinks dairy farmers is ‘just a business to make profits’ hasn’t known any farmers. We do it because we love the animals, how else could you work 24/7 without vacations, staying up to help a heifer have her first calf, and in 2009 taking major hits financially, losing 40% of your income and equity to stay afloat, but you still have to feed, milk, and care for your animals ….
Thank you so much for this post. I would just like to know how we can publicize this as far and wide as possible. May I reproduce this on my blog and website? Giving the proper credits to the author?
I am a city girl turned farmer. Due to the decline (my husband lost his off farm job due to layoff), both my husband and I BOTH now work off farm and on farm. We love each of our animals. My house is regularly a mess as the barn continues to stay clean.
I am deeply offended by the video that made HSUS so popular, their lying commercials and now next week Katie Couric will be doing a piece on anti-biotics. We really need to respond, BEFORE this so-called group, legislates all of us out of our lives. This impacts all of us including the consumer that doesn’t know what they are “voting” for.
Thank you again for the truth about the HSUS!
These stories are all useful. We need more folks talking about the real facts of life on the farm. Being hard at work on the farm will only keep our heads in the sand. I’ve been sending folks to read causematters and I know people have come to read my story from this blog and others. Let’s stop being an easy target.
Animal use cannot be morally justified no matter how much you love your property. Even if you name them before they are killed. Most people can agree that harming or killing nonhuman animals unnecessarily is wrong. We can also agree that eating animals is not necessary and that taste does not justify treating sentient nonhumans as property. Animal agriculture is terribly inefficient in converting usable protein and an environmental nightmare. Think. Then go vegan.
I agree that HSUS is not very helpful to any animals.
Chris,
Meat protein is very important for the development of the human brain. Homo Sapiens evovled to the intelligent species we are today largly due to us eating meat since before we stood upright.
Lions hunt to eat, does this mean they are cruel? No. It means that just like humans their systems have evolved to eat meat to thrive.
Humans are omnivouris; our systems require the comsumption of meat (and vegetables) for optimum development and health. Sure, we could survive on a ‘vegan’ diet, but it’s not a completely ideal diet.
I especially fear for children raised in vegan households, as their development would very likely be hindered on such a diet. There is much evidence to support the fact that growing brains need meat protein and other animal products for proper development.
Milk and milk products are very important for proper bone and teeth development, ask any denist. Specific enzymes found in milk are also very important for strong teeth that will last a lifetime.
I have nothing against vegans, but please don’t accuse people who choose to eat what our bodies require as being unjustified or immoral.
Penny
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Excellent information and followup on the Humane Society of America vs local humane society shelters. Our donations and adoptions from the local shelters help fund animal care almost 100% as the bulk of the staff are volunteers, putting in many long days giving attention and love to animals that others have either lost or discarded. Support of local organizations should always take precidence over national ones.
I find I always keep coming back to your weblog. Great material. Thank you for posting.
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