The Humane Society of the United States has mounted a huge campaign to raise money to care for the dogs rescued from Michael Vick's dogfighting ring. The plea comes complete with a heartbreaking picture of one of the injured dogs. (Not surprisingly, studies have shown that people donate more when shown a picture of or told a story about a single animal needing help. HSUS is very clever at fundraising.) But before you contribute, please note:
1) There is a disclaimer in fine print at the bottom of the form which says your donation may be used for other HSUS programs and may not be used to help the dog fight victims.
2) There has been no accounting for the nearly $20 million HSUS raised for the Katrina dogs and cats. The organization is under investigation by the Louisiana Attorney General for their handling of that situation.
http://tinyurl. <http://tinyurl./>; http://tinyurl.com/25avhp>com/25avhp
3) HSUS has NO shelter. It is a corporate office building in Washington, DC. It is supposedly "overseeing" the care of the dogs that were seized from Vick's house, but we don't know where the animals are, Will the shelter actually providing their care receive all the donations this campaign generates?
4) There is no reason to believe that your contributions will go to help the dogs seized from Michael Vick or any other dogs or cats. HSUS spends most of its money on legislative efforts to make dog breeding impossible and pet ownership more difficult, more expensive, and more dangerous.
5) HSUS claims its servers crashed from the response to their first appeal for money for these dogs, yet they are still out there beating the drum for more money, still claiming more is needed for the Vick dogs.

And if you are still considering writing that check, read the following
quotes from Wayne Pacelle, president of HSUS "I don't have a hands-on fondness for animals.To this day I don't feel bonded to any non-human
animal. I like them and I pet them and I'm kind to them, but there's no
special bond between me and other animals." quoted in Bloodties: Nature, Culture and the Hunt by Ted Kerasote, 1993, p. 251. "We have no problem with the extinction of domestic animals. They are creations of human selective breeding." quoted in Animal People, May, 1993 When asked if he envisioned a future without pets: "If I had my personal view, perhaps that might take hold. In fact, I don't want to see another dog or cat born." Wayne Pacelle quoted in Bloodties: Nature, Culture and the Hunt by Ted Kerasote, 1993, p. 266.
==============================
Where are the millions in contributions they already receive every year?
If you have money to contribute, please send it to your **local** shelter.
Donations received by local shelters do help animals.
The money sent to HSUS does not.



Carol, the Golden Lady

Melanie

BocaDog [n: bowkadawg, bocadog] noun, verb, expression,

Bocadog, bocadog*ging, bocadog attitude

Fluffy, fabulous and meaningful; dedicated to the humane and educated care of canines everywhere

HSUS "hounds" you constantly for more contributions.  I was receiving solicitations every week from them.  They also sell your personal information to other (probably affiliated) animal organizations.  It took me several months to get my name off of their mailing list.

Thanks for the "heads up" on them. 

All Creatures Great and Small

Ed. note: We at MVKD find some irony and a great deal of hypocrisy in the high profile role PETA has assumed in the Vick case -- a case which is primarily an issue of exploitation and abuse of pit bulls. PETA is, in fact, no friend to the breed. Not only is PETA in support of breed bans against pit bulls but, moreover, espouses the complete extermination of the breed, regardless of their temperament, history or behavior.
	Ingrid Newkirk, president of PETA, has herself been highly vocal in speaking out against pit bulls, and in so doing has perpetuated the harmful myths and negative stereotypes surrounding this much maligned breed. Newkirk wears her hatred for pit bulls on her sleeve, allowing her personal bigotry to fuel public hysteria and discrimination against all pit bulls, the majority of which have proven themselves many times over to be gentle, loving and loyal companions.
It should also be noted that it has only been a few short months since PETA themselves stood trial. In January of this year, two PETA employees, fully backed by PETA's Newkirk and a highly-paid legal team, stood trial on 24 felony counts, including 21 counts of animal cruelty and obtaining property under false pretenses (lying to the shelters PETA adopted dogs and cats from, then euthanizing the animals rather then finding homes for them.) Thanks to a skilled and manipulative defense team, the two PETA staffers were found guilty only of lesser charges; however, the trial exposed PETA's shocking record of euthanizing healthy dogs and cats - up to a 90% euthanasia rate -- as well as the fact that PETA is singularly responsible for the deaths of over 14,400 dogs, cats and other companion animals during the period of 1998 - 2005. (Source: PETA's Dirty Secret)

Star: *Proud Eskie/golden mix*

I herd a song tonight on the radio, another girl sings about a boy. She sees his face in every space
every room, and I know that if I turn around you won't be there. If I close my eyes, will you be there?
I don't wanna lose your face, and I don't wanna wake up one day and not remember what
time erased. I don't wanna turn around cause im not scared of what love gave me and took away
and I don't wanna lose your face. I've got a photo of you in my bedroom and I hope it never falls. I
hope I never lose that feelin' I use to get when you called. I don't wanna lose your face.
 
- Taylor Swift

*~♦ ♦~*