I have always been a supporter of the Humane Society of the United States, and I have to admit some of the articles that you have links to disturbed me. I am not, however, willing to drop my donations just yet. I have read many articles of groups that support the Humane Society, and I have personally used their services time and time again. I subscribe to their Sheltering Magazine, have taken classes offered on their online university, utilized their literature for our shelter, and so on. So I will be researching more and determining all sides and then deciding. I might decide to stay a supporter and write letters of protest on issues I do not agree with.

I am perfectly aware that they do not financially support shelters, but they do offer many services that shelters take advantage of. Services that if each individual shelter had to do for themselves - would be totally cost prohibitive.

I am also not disturbed that they occasionally support the same causes as PETA and ALF. Although I do not support every PETA initiative there are some that I do support. Just like there are Humane Society initiatives I support and those I don't. Let me ask you this - when you vote for a representative - do you support everything they do? or do you look for the representative that is the most reflective of your political views and then try to influence the rest?

I also financially support the ASPCA - mainly because they are our political lobbyists. They are our voice in both the state legislatures and federal government. That being said - for the last several years, there has been an animal activist group in NYC that has protested the ASPCA's animal care procedures. Can't find the link right now, but I could dig it up and post it later if anyone is interested.

I appreciate you posting the links - I will definitely be reviewing them further and decide what I will do.