When it comes to dogs, cats, and other animal companions, the coronavirus pandemic has brought out the best in people. Shelters have put out the call to the community for help with animals and the community has emptied out those shelters, by adopting and fostering. In New York, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, Texas, Nevada, Iowa, and more, shelters are find homes for every single animal in their facility. The placement rate is upwards of 24 times…
Americans have a soft spot for animals and are not very discerning when it comes to which animal groups to support. In fact, according to a new study, they falsely equate having heard of a group with it being effective. In other words, because most Americans have heard of the ASPCA or the Humane Society of the United States, they wrongly also believe those groups are on the front lines leading and effecting positive change…
Two weeks ago, I wrote about a nationwide tour by Roger Haston of PetSmart Charities. Despite being called “The Future of Animal Welfare,” PetSmart Charities harkens back to the days when killing was central to sheltering, especially of dogs Haston says no one wants and calls “blocky-headed whatevers” (but which most people label “pit bulls”). The presentation was entirely consistent with PetSmart policy, which prohibits “pit bulls” from playgroups and other services because of the…
What Pixar’s masterpiece says about how far the No Kill movement has come, how far it still has to go, the need for shelter reform legislation, and corruption within groups like the ASPCA. Kitbull is the new short film by Pixar. The name “Kitbull” comes from a combination of kitten and pit bull for the inseparable bond that forms between a feral kitten and an abused pit bull. It is a film that explores…
“Which red-blooded male hasn’t sexually harassed somebody? Women should be able to take care of themselves.” “We’re not an association that investigates sexual harassment. We raise funds for animals.” Quotes from Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Board Member explaining why CEO Wayne Pacelle will not be fired after an investigation confirmed sexual harassment allegations against Pacelle, including telling a female staff member he wanted to masturbate in front of her. When employees working…
It is long overdue. The Chronicle of Philanthropy is reporting that “The Board of Directors of the Humane Society of the United States, the nation’s most influential animal-welfare group, has hired a Washington law firm to investigate an allegation of workplace misconduct against its longtime chief executive, Wayne Pacelle: “Among the topics, insiders say, is an alleged sexual relationship between Mr. Pacelle and a female employee.” “Among the topics” suggests there are others. That’s not…
Help needed to get Florida shelter reform legislation passed. It is the most powerful piece of shelter reform legislation ever introduced. Short of a ban on killing, its passage would be a game changer not only in Florida, but across the nation. It is more sweeping than California’s Hayden Law which increased rescue transfers by over 350% (over 45,000 animals a year) and arguably saved over 1,000,000 animals since its passage. It is more comprehensive…
These groups have become lobbyists for animal shelters, rather than lobbyists for the animals those shelters kill.
Animals in Florida, Maryland, Connecticut, and Minnesota To Die