There seems to be considerable confusion lately about the relationship between the Humane Society of the United States and local animal shelters. We’ve had several calls at the shelter inquiring about this and as hard as we tried to explain this, we aren’t quite sure the callers understood so I thought I’d try to take a moment to clarify.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest and most effective animal protection organization. They help animals by advocating for better laws to protect animals, they conduct campaigns to reform industries such as puppy mills, they investigate cases of animal cruelty on a national basis, etc.
The Humane Society of the United States does not own local animal shelters, nor do they provide any direct financial support for operations. None. Not one penny. Whether you donate to HSUS, or, for that matter, the American Humane Association, or others, does not impact whether Scruffy dog in Houlton, Maine is rescued, cared for, and re-homed.
The Humane Society of the United States does not tell local shelters how to operate, what projects to support or have any direct control over operations.
HSUS does have a foundation through which shelters across the country can apply for grants for various programs such as spay/neuter, coverage for medical care or equipment, but no grants for operational costs.
When you donate to HSUS, it does not say that your money is going to a specific pet or project, it says your donation will help HSUS continue to protect dogs, cats, seals, and all other animals at home and worldwide well into the future. So it is true, if your heart is for helping the dogs, cats, and bunnies in the greater Houlton area, then the most efficient use of your funds is to donate locally. Houlton Humane would be grateful for your donation and every penny donated is in some way used to save a life, whether it goes to the cost of keeping the facility operational or purchasing food and medicine for the animals. Each donation directly impacts a local critter.
Now, Houlton Humane as a corporation has not voted nor discussed the issue that HSUS is addressing in Maine so the following statement is my personal statement only, not a corporate position, I want to make that very clear. In a recent column in the Houlton Pioneer Times, Joe Rodweller mentioned that Maine has some of the best laws in the country related to animal welfare and he is absolutely correct about that. I believe we stand somewhere around seventh, right up there at the very top. Maine, however, is the only state in the entire country that still allows trapping, baiting, and hounding of bear. What HSUS is working on in Maine is a grassroots effort, not to stop bear hunting in Maine, but to stop trapping, baiting and hounding.
My understanding is that this grassroots effort is funded by Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting, not by your direct donations to the HSUS, but I could be wrong about that.
My hope is that if this is an issue that concerns you, you do your homework, make sure you understand the issue. If you wish to contribute, know how your funds are best distributed, and if you would like to attend a meeting, I believe there will be one in Houlton on October 3 but I’m not sure where yet. This is just information I saw on the HSUS website.
My other hope is that you do understand that the HSUS does not own or control Houlton Humane Society, nor do they financially support the shelter. Houlton Humane has no official position on any of the HSUS projects. We are busy saving lives, locally, one at a time, one day at a time, with your support. If you have any questions about this, give me a call anytime.
Cathy Davis is a longtime volunteer for the Houlton Humane Society. She can be reached at houltonanimalshelter@gmail.com or 532-2345.
