National animal charities snub NM pet shelters

New Mexico residents give more than $700 million to charity every year. But in some cases, donors are being misled or confused by national charities with ambiguous advertising. A new report published by my organization, the Center for the Environment and Welfare, pulls back the curtain on two notable offenders in the animal space.

New Mexico donors should beware.

The Humane Society of the United States, HSUS, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ASPCA, which are thought to be the country’s two premier charities that care for pets, are not what they seem. Despite similar sounding names, neither organization is affiliated with local animal shelters, humane societies or SPCAs.

According to recent public polling, name confusion is running rampant. Roughly 8 in 10 adults wrongly believe these two national organizations are umbrella groups that represent thousands of local pet shelters across the country. In reality, HSUS doesn’t operate a single one while the ASPCA runs an adoption center in Manhattan, 1,900 miles away.

Local shelters across the country are barking mad about the brand confusion. For example, while under the stewardship of now Vice President Kamala Harris, the California Attorney General’s Office received a formal complaint from the State Humane Association of California. Why? Because ASPCA fundraising was effectively diverting dollars into their own bank account that would have arguably supported California pet organizations otherwise.

The state group’s executive director noted, “(o)ur member humane societies and SPCAs frequently report hearing from people who gave to the ASPCA believing they were giving to their local shelter. These shelters believe they are missing out on funds that were intended for them.” It’s a brand mix-up that both the ASPCA and HSUS continue to capitalize on in New Mexico.

Beyond not actually being affiliated with local shelters, financial support of local pet shelters by these two groups is also extremely underwhelming. According to tax documents, HSUS gives just 1% of its $138 million budget to pet shelters as financial grants. Meanwhile, the ASPCA only contributes about 2% of its $302 million budget.

Both organizations snub New Mexico animals. Despite state residents generously supporting both HSUS and the ASPCA, both organizations’ most recently available financial reports, 2021, show that not a single dime went to any of the many shelters in the state that support thousands of displaced pets. It’s an upsetting truth that should leave state donors fuming.

New Mexico is not alone. It’s a dubious pattern that is playing out across the country. Overall, pet shelters in 32 states receive zero cash grants from HSUS. Twenty-one states get the same neglectful treatment from the ASPCA.

It begs the question: If the lion’s share of spending doesn’t support local shelters, where does the money go?

A significant portion of donor contributions goes toward fundraising, self-promotion, and other expenses like executive salaries. ASPCA CEO Matt Bershadker, for example, makes nearly $1 million a year in compensation. HSUS spends more than $50 million on fundraising, including $950,000 on postage and shipping alone.

This isn’t to say either organization does nothing good for pets. But New Mexico donors hoping to help pet shelters would be much better off giving directly to local groups.

New Mexico animal lovers that contribute to HSUS and the ASPCA deserve to know how their donations are being used. Donors that want to help homeless pets in their communities should give directly to their local shelter or rescue. That way, the money can actually help shelter pets in the Land of Enchantment.

Jack Hubbard is the executive director of the Center for the Environment and Welfare. He previously served as COO of American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization.

Editor's note: The ASPCA disputes assertions it doesn't operate or support local pet shelters. To read a rebuttal from ASPCA, go to: https://www.abqjournal.com/opinion/grants-to-local-partners-are-one-of-many-ways-aspca-helps-animals/article_b79a28f6-58cd-11ee-ba23-83a26a575f67.html