CONSUMER GROUP RUNS ADS ACCUSING HSUS OF DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING

Humanewatch.org, a national consumer advocacy organization, has launched a TV ad campaign warning consumers that only one penny of every dollar donated to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) actually goes to local animal shelters. The ad accuses HSUS of deceptive advertising, and alerts donors to the "D" rating given HSUS by Charity Watch, a leading charity watchdog.

A news release posted on the Humanewatch.org website said, "A recent study by the Campaign Media Analysis Group found that 68 percent of Americans mistakenly believe that HSUS spends most of its money on local shelters. In fact, only about 1 percent of the $131 million HSUS raised last year actually went to animal shelters."

"More than 85 percent of the animals shown in HSUS ads were dogs and cats. Only 3 of the 28 ads that HSUS ran on television contained a disclaimer that HSUS is independent from local humane societies, and those ads that have a disclaimer didn’t air very often: Less than 100 airings, compared to more than 20,000 airings of ads with no disclaimer."

A 2-page summary of the advertising study is available for download at Humanewatch.org.