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The Letter Sent To HumaneWatch From the NFHS
National Federation Of Humane Societies
The National Federation of Humane Societies has come out shooting against HumaneWatch, an organization created by Rick Berman and the Center For Consumer Freedom.
CCF, according to NFHS, “is an industry lobby and paid representative for the restaurant, tobacco, agricultural producers and alcoholic beverage industries with a well documented history of opposing public health and animal welfare reforms.”
The letter then goes on to say, “For anyone to begin to take CCF seriously you will need to disclose those companies which fund your lobby activities so informed consumers can draw their own conclusions as to credibility and the agenda you promote. We urge you to cease your smear campaign against HSUS that negatively impacts the efforts of our members to improve the lives of animals in their local communities.”
The National Federation of Humane Societies is a group made up of over 50 Humane Societies and Animal Shelters across America, including St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, which is where Max, the Dog Files Mascot came from.
Below my name is the complete letter and below that is the shelters and humane societies that belong to the NFHS.
– Kenn
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Dear Mr. Berman,
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The National Federation of Humane Societies is the nation’s first trade advocacy
federation representing the animal welfare industry. We are comprised of local, state
and national animal welfare organizations with a focus on animal sheltering and
companion animal issues.
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We understand that the Center for Consumer Freedom is an industry lobby and paid
representative for the restaurant, tobacco, agricultural producers and alcoholic
beverage industries with a well documented history of opposing public health and
animal welfare reforms. That being said, we find your statements regarding the
Humane Society of the United States to be inaccurate based on our collective
experiences. In a March article published by the Chronicle of Philanthropy the
“charitable purpose” of the Center for Consumer Freedom was questioned as “the
pattern of payments to one individual and company might constitute a private benefit
because the charity appears to be benefiting Mr. Berman and his lobbying firm rather
than the public.”
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While the HSUS does not provide direct community service through local sheltering of
animals, its charitable purpose has never been questioned. It has a long history of
supporting the local animal welfare community through programs like Animal Care
Expo, the Animal Services Consultation program, publishing Animal Sheltering
magazine and the many training and educational programs offered to shelter
employees through Humane Society University, in addition to its puppy mill and
hoarding investigations and disaster response efforts that few local sheltering
organizations could possibly underwrite individually.
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The HSUS mission has always included a focus on large-scale animal cruelty and
eliminating animal suffering. HSUS has always been transparent about that mission.
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While HSUStakes on many large issues, local humane organizations generally focus on
companion animal issues but many share an interest in ending animal cruelty or
neglect.
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For anyone to begin to take CCFseriously you will need to disclose those companies
which fund your lobby activities so informed consumers can draw their own
conclusions as to credibility and the agenda you promote. We urge you to cease your
smear campaign against HSUS that negatively impacts the efforts of our members to
improve the lives of animals in their local communities.
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On behalf of the Board of Directors & Members,
~~
Steve Putnam, Executive Director
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Member Organizations
A Refuge for Saving the Wildlife, Inc.
American Humane Association
Anderson Animal Shelter
Animal Humane Society
Animal Care League
Animal Lovers League
Animal Welfare Society
Asheville Humane Society
California Anima! Control Directors Assoc.
Capital Humane Society
Chatauqua County Humane Society
Colorado Federation of Animal Welfare Agencies
Dumb Friends league
Erie County SPCA
Greenhill Humane Society
Hawaiian Humane Society
House Rabbit Society
Humane Society of Broward County
Humane Society of Indianapolis
Humane Society of Kent County
Humane Society of the United States
Illinois Animal Welfare Federation
Iowa Federation of Humane Societies
Kokomo Humane Society
larimer Humane Society
Michigan Humane Society
Monroe County Humane Association
Naperville Area Humane Society
Nashville Humane Association
New Hampshire SPCA
Norfolk SPCA
Oregon Humane Society
PAWS Chicago
Peggy Adams Animal Rescue league
Peoria Humane Society
Pet Haven of Minnesota
Potter league for Animals
Richmond SPCA
Sacramento SPCA
Salem Animal Rescue league
San Francisco SPCA
Southeast Area Animal Control Authority
SPCA Cincinnati
SPCA Los Angeles
SPCA for Monterey County
SPCA Tampa Bay
SPCA ofTexas
St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center
Tails Humane Society
Tri-Countv Humane Society
Virginia Federation of Humane Societies
Washington Animal Rescue League
Washington Humane Society
Wayside Waifs Humane Society
Wisconsin Humane Society
Atlanta Humane Society Helps With Dog-Fighting Raid In N.C.
Dog Walk Raises $330K For Michigan Humane Society
Humane Society Saved Many Pets Lives In 2009
