12.19.2010
There it was in The New York Times sports section (such as it is).
An organization called HumaneWatch.org placed a full-page that, if you didn't stop to read it, could easily have been passed over as an ad from the Humane Society of the United States.
Quite the opposite.
In 56-point, bold-faced type, the headline read "The Eagles wrote the Humane Society of the U.S. a GIANT check. Guess who now says Michael Vick can own a dog?"
The headline's clarity could have been sharpened by including "Philadelphia" prior to the word "Eagles" — to keep us from thinking rocker Don Henley had taken a Ted Nugent turn — but that's when it hits you.
This is no anti-dog-fighting message from one of America's leading animal rights organizations.
This is a claim that one of America's leading animal rights organizations was shushed up by a $50,000 charitable donation.
In a pre-emptive, face-saving move, three days prior to the Time's ad, Humane Society CEO Wayne Pacelle wrote a blog post as to why it is "too soon" for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick to have a dog. "Pet-keeping is a privilege and he lost that privilege when he committed atrocious acts of cruelty in the months and years before his arrest in 2007," Pacelle writes.
However, in its no-doubt-costly New York Times ad, however, HumanWatch quotes Pacelle saying Vick "would do a good job as a pet owner."
"Michael Vick was a dog fighting kingpin," the ad continues. "He went to federal prison for participating in the unbelievably cruel deaths of (at least) eight dogs."
"The Philadelphia Eagles made a $50,000 donation to the Humane Society of the United States this year. And now the animal rights group's leader says Eagles' quarterback Michael Vick should be allowed to own dogs again."
"It’s absolutely shocking that the leader of America’s biggest animal rights group would side with a convicted dog fighting felon instead of with helpless pets,” said David Martosko, editor of HumaneWatch.org which, as it turns out, is a project of another 501(c)(3) watchdog called the Center for Consumer Freedom.
"There may be some who would forever deny Michael Vick the opportunity to have a pet. I understand that sentiment," Pacelle counters. "We at The HSUS are about the business of change — personal and societal change. Our work with Michael Vick is helping to change the view of pit bulls in urban communities from fighters to friends."
Still, the Humane Society of the United States spends tens of millions every year supporting a staff of more than 700, lobbyists in all 50 states, and has an $11 million executive pension plan," according to HumaneWatch.
"Yet during the past two years, HSUS shared less than 1 percent of its money with hands-on pet shelters," Martosko points out.
Money matters in today's charitable industries. Influenced by bottom line, bloated staffs, mission creep and "stretch goals" to increase financial margins and cover operational costs, the entire industry is long overdue for the same sort of microscopic assessment that has recently dogged (no pun intended) Wall Street.
Like our federal government, too many national non-profits have become more about themselves and not those they are purportedly serving.
However, we're mystified that a professional sports team would so conspicuously attempt to offset its incredibly talented star's track record with a major charitable donation.
We're equally confounded that a national charity could be so easily bought. It would be like the American Cancer Society receiving a major gift from — and then making nice with — R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Ugh.
One thing is clear from this Humane Society mess, however. Somebody is going to be spending a lot of time picking up after it.
Randall White, President
Elettore
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