January 23rd, 2008 at 4:38 pm
.I like how I referenced the HSUS and claiming they were caring for Vick’s pitbulls and now there’s a link to that story right up top in “related posts”.
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That is interesting because the group supposedly outing HSUS in that article is the ‘Center for Consumer Freedom’ which is a group without credibility. I think it is a mistake for the anti-HSUS faction to use this entity as a mouthpiece. What if that tactic has the opposite effect as that intended? Maybe the average pet owner will ally themselves with HSUS more so than the animal $$$ interests hiring ‘Center for Consumer Freedom’ because they are turned off by disengenuous tactics?

You are trying to reach moderates, not fringe extremists or special interests with this campaign.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....01956.html
Our Pious Babylon

By Harold Meyerson
Thursday, April 6, 2006; Page A29
“Working chiefly under the aegis of his Center for Consumer Freedom, Berman has accused Mothers Against Drunk Driving and kindred groups (in the words of one of his Web sites) of “junk science, intimidation tactics, and even threats of violence to push their radical agenda.” Another Berman Web site was devoted to dismissing the dangers of mercury levels in fish.

Berman’s center was jump-started in 1995 with money from Philip Morris, and, thanks to memos that were made public in the discovery process during the lawsuits against Big Tobacco, his strategic vision is now plain for all to see. “The concept,” he wrote Philip Morris at the time, “is to unite the restaurant and hospitality industries in a campaign to defend their consumers and marketing programs against attacks from anti-smoking, anti-drinking, anti-meat, etc. activists.” The industries apparently have appreciated Berman’s work. According to the Center for Media and Democracy, a former Berman associate has produced documents showing that Coca-Cola, Wendy’s, Tyson Foods, Cargill and Outback Steakhouse are among Berman’s largest donors.”

“the AVMA has shown itself to be in the service of the industry that ground up about a million pets and spit them back in the faces of the pet parents.”

This is absolutely true. AVMA stands for nothing but industries that profit from animals, and where the economic interests of industry are at odds with humane treatment, they reliably side with the economic interests of industry and AGAINST humane treatment.

For example, they were against the horse slaughter prevention act; they refuse to come out against Fois Gras production, etc.

AVAR has been vocal in pointing out the hypocrisy of the AVMA on these larger issues, as well as some other issues — such as the use of companion animals in “terminal surgeries” in veterinary school. These are completely unnecessary surgeries in which vet students operate on and then kill the animals.

However, while AVAR is strong on those “larger” issues that affect large numbers of animals, they are SILENT on issues such as:

1. The need for enforcement of standards of care in the VETERINARY field itself — i.e., reducing veterinary malpractice
2. Veterinary practices pushing “prescription” diets many of which are at best, no more effective than commercially available diets, and at worst, horrible nutrition,
3. Veterinarians prescribing dangerous drugs for our pets, or failing to advise owners of possible severe side effects and what to look out for.

In short, AVAR is silent on the widespread problem of veterinary malpractice.

When I asked Holly Cheever of AVAR, at an HSUS conference, about stronger enforcement of standards in the profession, her answer made it clear that that is just NOT one of their priorities.

When I asked representatives of HSUS at a conference WHY they don’t speak out about the LACK OF STATE ENFORCEMENT of regulations applying to the veterinary industry, I was told “off the record” by someone who works for them that 1) they know that it is a problem — that states don’t regulate vets well enough and don’t discipline bad vets or enforce the laws strongly enough, and 2) they CAN’T or WON’T do anything about it because they “need veterinarians” for their other larger campaigns.

So, this new organization may speak out about issues of global animal treatment, but they will not be interested in doing anything about one of the biggest threats to YOUR PETS — the ones you love, who share your life with you — and that is the danger posed to them by VETS THEMSELVES.

Not all vets are bad, but when good vets tolerate bad ones, it poisons the whole industry, and that is what is happening. Good vets refuse to speak out even though they know this is happening.

While HSVMA may strive to make good changes in terms of humane treatment of farm animals, ending terminal surgeries, etc. (all good things which I support) they will no doubt remain silent on the very pervasive problem of

VETERINARY MALPRACTICE AND ABUSE.

Stefani
The Toonces Project
http://www.TheTooncesProject.com
“Is Your Pet Safe at the Vet?”

I refuse to live in a world where we are a bunch of bobbleheads agreeing on everything..now how boring would that be?

Here’s the other beauty of the internet..you don’t agree or like what’s being said, click the red X on the upper right hand side of your screen.

Why don’t I like PETA and the HSUS? Because they operate under a guise of protecting our animals. Ingrid Newkirk has publically stated that she supports BSL, especially if it means euthanizing Pit Bulls. For me personally, I don’t even need to go any further than that to have a severe dislike for PETA. Nevermind that PETA themselves have been convicted of killing and dumping animals. Nevermind that they believe that having animal companions is something that needs to be eradicated.

Why don’t I like the HSUS? Because they LIE. They took donations from people under the guise that they were sheltering Vick’s pitbulls. They had full page emails asking for donations to help take care of these dogs that were in their care. These dogs have NEVER been in their care. They also lead people to believe that they fund local Humane Societies and actually run shelters, THEY DONT. They build their organization on LIES. Now back to PETA who is very very much in bed w/ the HSUS.

So that’s what my problem is, I cannot support ANYTHING that is going to cause these liars to become stronger and put MY RIGHTS as a pet owner in jeopardy.

If all of this makes some yawn (pam), others are paying attention and waking up because it aims limit our choices and ultimately change our relationship with our pets in the future.

Good question. Perhaps this is what people mean when they say HSUS does “some good”. I think most would agree that if efforts and resources were spent on helping shelters in need and programs like RAVS, instead of lobbying for laws that threaten our rights as owners, HSUS would be viewed in a favorable light. RAVS began as Remote Area Medical Veterinary Volunteer Corps in 1995 before it was acquired by HSUS in 2002.

The carefully worded press release above does not say HSVMA will be involved with the RAVS program at all. This merger (HSVMA), according to the press release “will result in a powerful new veterinary advocacy organization”. In plain English that means, more lobbying efforts and lending credibility from a small sector of veterinarians to push bills like AB1643.

Since 2002, The HSUS has operated the highly successful Rural Area Veterinary Services ( RAVS ) program, delivering free services to animals and people in remote communities often underserved by veterinarians. In 2007, RAVS delivered more than 30,000 treatments to animals. More than 700 veterinary students a year participate in RAVS program, providing veterinary students with invaluable clinical experience with animals in need.

Ok PETA haters, what’s your problem with this? I too am getting tired of rants by people who appear to have an agenda that involves trashing anything that remotely looks like it might help animals.

once again, read this. Perhaps then you will feel differently. They have full out admitted they are an ANIMAL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION.

Most people think that their local Humane Society is governed by the HSUS, WRONG…they see NOT A DIME from the HSUS. The HSUS doesn’t even RUN a shelter. The HSUS takes in enough money to alleviate the financial hardship of EVERY SHELTER IN THIS COUNTRY…but they DONT GIVE THEM A DIME.

Yes I lurk, and I won’t post until I have something to say..what’s wrong with that? Do I need to post awww how cutie pootie pootie that picture of that dog with the raccoon like mask is? I’ve been reading here since the dog food crap went down and posted then as well. Nothing gets my dander up like the HSUS, Peta and the government tryign to tell me what to do with pets (or my vagina, but I digress that’s another board and another topic).

Game plan of allied animal $$$ interests:

1. Use PETA’s own techniques to blow it back on them.

2. Call any other organization that is not in lock step with $$$ animal interests, (i.e. We will do it OUR way; butt out of OUR business!) , a PETA-clone.

The PETA clone accusations are going way beyond HSUS now so I’m not impressed anymore by any of this. (Y-A-W-N)

All I know is that very little concern is being expressed for animal welfare in all this sensationalistic fear-mongering. (Which is what hardline animal rights groups are accused of doing, too.)

I don’t know what I think of this. When did the HSUS become so whacked out?

I agree there need to be middle of the road solutions, not just for vets but for anyone who cares about helping animals.

~The Lioness

PETA has the clout to get media coverage. Pet parents don’t.
PETA is going to be a voice in how things change, whether you like it or not.
I don’t much care for that either but facts are facts and if _anything-
is ever going to change the forces that have the clout need input and support.

Since the AVMA has no problem with killer vets and killer food and the suffering of pets and pet parents is nothing to the AVMA, I cannot support them in anything.
ANY organization that hassles the AVMA is ok with me.
These days HSUS and PETA are a lesser evil.