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July 23, 2010
My Vet Supports HSUS! :( - 14
by Brian Lynn
 I had to board the dogs this week and when I went to pick them up, I made a discovery that might force me to change vets. When the girl went to the back to retrieve my Lab and bulldog, I perused the selection of magazines on a tabletop. There I found the latest copy of the Humane Society of the United States member magazine. That means that my vet supports the largest anti-hunting/animal-rights group in the world. The address and member number on the mailing label confirmed it. I have to draw a line in the sand. It's a matter of principle over convenience, of business vs. beliefs. Hopefully, education and information wins out in the end. When the nice girl brought my pooches to me, and she is very nice, I asked her about their support of HSUS. She didn't really know anything about it, she said. That delegation of duties weighed on the shoulders and time schedule of a fellow named "Darryl." She was apprehensive and seemed somewhat confused. I quickly explained that HSUS is the largest anti-hunting and animal rights organization in the world and that less than one-half of one percent of their budget ever trickles down to local humane society shelters; those are strictly dependent upon local support. The nice girl saw where this was going and didn't want to step in a political landmine. She quickly said that "Darryl" would be the one to talk to, but that he's out of town for the remainder of the week. He'd be back in on Monday. So next week I will give "Darryl" a call and explain my issue with their support of HSUS: I'm a hunter. I can't support an organization or business that supports something so antithesis to my belief system; hunting puts food on my table both literally and figuratively. If he's the office manager, hopefully business acumen wins out over any belief or support he has for HSUS. I have spent more than $600 there between boarding, vaccinations and medical attention in the last three months. If he's under the impression that HSUS is somehow affiliated with local humane society shelters, hopefully a little education and information will do the trick. I plan on arming myself with many facts and figures from U.S Sportsmen's Alliance and HumaneWatch.org, among them:
I don't know if any facts or figures will make a difference or not. What I do know is that I'll tell him how much I enjoy coming to this group of vets (there are three or four in the office), how convenient it is (I can walk the dogs down), they reasonably priced and that their care of my dogs has been great to date. Then I'll ask him to end any support of the HSUS. While I thoroughly enjoy their office, there are lots of good vets around; many of which not only don't support HSUS, but that do support hunting. Finding a new vet isn't a problem. I'll suggest that he donate any funds intended for HSUS should instead go directly to our local humane society shelter. I'll even match their donation (upto a "reasonable" price; I'm an outdoor writer after all and don't have the financial resources of four vets!). If none of that sways him, then I'll thank him for the good care that the office has provided my pooches and I'll get to work finding a new vet. It might not seem like much, but if I can end one donation to HSUS, educate one person on their conduct/misrepresentation, then I consider it worth it and in a small, yes, very small, way have struck a blow to the largest anti-hunting organization in the world. The line in the sand is drawn. I'll let you know how it goes. |
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Comments (14)
Brian, I like your strategy of talking first before you decide to leave. But unless you have an extremely encouraging discussion, I think you should take your money elsewhere. As charlie pointed out, leaving and telling them why sends a powerful message.
Brian, it is well worth the effort to educate. But, if you do decide to switch vets, make sure you tell those vets why you are leaving the practice. Could by Darryl will get educated about the importance of keeping good clients. Or not, but at least you will have pushed all the buttons.
A noble effort, BL. Keep us all posted. If all outdoorsmen armed themselves with facts, be them about animal-right groups or anti-gun groups, and were willing to use them in situations like this, we'd be a lot farther ahead as outdoorsmen.
Brian, Keep fighting the good fight! Best of luck with your new vet. Chris & Divot
Just to be clear: this guy isn't one of the vets, he's an office manager or something. The vets are three women. Here's one of the pamphlets I plan to print off:
http://humanewatch.org/index.php/ads/detail/not_your_local_humane_societ...
You should explain to your vet what HSUS means to you and ask him if he understands that HSUS is not affiliates with the Humane Society. The Humane Society is a great organization but HSUS not. If your vet still maintains his membership to HSUS I would find services elsewhere.
I am not saying leave without talking to the vet, I would make certain he knows why I am leaving and informing my friends who hunt. Most people check out organizations before donating so this tells you something about the man one way or the other. If he didn't check out the HSUS then what kind of animal treatments is he not vetting thoroughly. I would no longer trust his judgement.
Bottomline, telling your vet why you are leaving IS educating him.
later,
charlie
Not for profit organizations are required to make public their 990 IRS form. It takes little effort to see that the top execs of HSUS make very good money.
It has been over a year since I studied the HSUS tax returns so I cannot give exact figures but can say for sure the HSUS collects and spends money for themselves and not animals.
Another curious thing I remember were the number of contributions to the Carribean Islands. A large number of donations over a period of months. No other agency rec'd more than one donation from HSUS throughout the year. I suspected these "donations" to be vacation packages for HSUS employees.
Good for you to educate them, lot's of people wouldn't have the stones. Hopefully it'll change their outlook on HSUS. Those commercials sure are appealing to the pet lover, I can see how people get tricked. The sad part is that most people don't really investigate where the money they are donating actually goes. Good luck!
that's supposed to be "half" their money...
I'll get a new vet if need be; but is it not better to try and educate people? if I just leave without trying, they'll just keep donating and nothing is gained. I should be able to tell whether or not he supports them or is misguided. I give him/they the option of ending their membership (with some sort of proof) before just leaving. Much better, I think anyway, to try and change their mind, take the pittance of money HSUS would get and redirect it to a more worthy charity while simultaneously educating someone(s)...you never know who they might educate down the line!
Find a new vet.
New vet is in order pronto. He could simply take the magazine out of the waiting room give a story about not knowing then continue supporting HSUS. As a knowledgeable vet he should know better.
later,
charlie
Hey Patrick,
Check out HumaneWatch.org. They've got a lot of info on there, including tax returns. Short and sweet of it is, HSUS is a fundraising machine. Almost have their money goes into raising more funds. They're also horribly inefficient...and employees have some nice pension plans! What puppies and kitties???? :/
no one seems to know where the money goes at hsus i think someone needs to find out because it does not go where it is supposed to.the animals!
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)
Hey Patrick,
Check out HumaneWatch.org. They've got a lot of info on there, including tax returns. Short and sweet of it is, HSUS is a fundraising machine. Almost have their money goes into raising more funds. They're also horribly inefficient...and employees have some nice pension plans! What puppies and kitties???? :/
New vet is in order pronto. He could simply take the magazine out of the waiting room give a story about not knowing then continue supporting HSUS. As a knowledgeable vet he should know better.
later,
charlie
that's supposed to be "half" their money...
I'll get a new vet if need be; but is it not better to try and educate people? if I just leave without trying, they'll just keep donating and nothing is gained. I should be able to tell whether or not he supports them or is misguided. I give him/they the option of ending their membership (with some sort of proof) before just leaving. Much better, I think anyway, to try and change their mind, take the pittance of money HSUS would get and redirect it to a more worthy charity while simultaneously educating someone(s)...you never know who they might educate down the line!
Good for you to educate them, lot's of people wouldn't have the stones. Hopefully it'll change their outlook on HSUS. Those commercials sure are appealing to the pet lover, I can see how people get tricked. The sad part is that most people don't really investigate where the money they are donating actually goes. Good luck!
I am not saying leave without talking to the vet, I would make certain he knows why I am leaving and informing my friends who hunt. Most people check out organizations before donating so this tells you something about the man one way or the other. If he didn't check out the HSUS then what kind of animal treatments is he not vetting thoroughly. I would no longer trust his judgement.
Bottomline, telling your vet why you are leaving IS educating him.
later,
charlie
Find a new vet.
Not for profit organizations are required to make public their 990 IRS form. It takes little effort to see that the top execs of HSUS make very good money.
It has been over a year since I studied the HSUS tax returns so I cannot give exact figures but can say for sure the HSUS collects and spends money for themselves and not animals.
Another curious thing I remember were the number of contributions to the Carribean Islands. A large number of donations over a period of months. No other agency rec'd more than one donation from HSUS throughout the year. I suspected these "donations" to be vacation packages for HSUS employees.
You should explain to your vet what HSUS means to you and ask him if he understands that HSUS is not affiliates with the Humane Society. The Humane Society is a great organization but HSUS not. If your vet still maintains his membership to HSUS I would find services elsewhere.
Just to be clear: this guy isn't one of the vets, he's an office manager or something. The vets are three women. Here's one of the pamphlets I plan to print off:
http://humanewatch.org/index.php/ads/detail/not_your_local_humane_societ...
Brian, Keep fighting the good fight! Best of luck with your new vet. Chris & Divot
A noble effort, BL. Keep us all posted. If all outdoorsmen armed themselves with facts, be them about animal-right groups or anti-gun groups, and were willing to use them in situations like this, we'd be a lot farther ahead as outdoorsmen.
Brian, it is well worth the effort to educate. But, if you do decide to switch vets, make sure you tell those vets why you are leaving the practice. Could by Darryl will get educated about the importance of keeping good clients. Or not, but at least you will have pushed all the buttons.
Brian, I like your strategy of talking first before you decide to leave. But unless you have an extremely encouraging discussion, I think you should take your money elsewhere. As charlie pointed out, leaving and telling them why sends a powerful message.
no one seems to know where the money goes at hsus i think someone needs to find out because it does not go where it is supposed to.the animals!
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)