Post by Woody Williams on Jan 18, 2008 11:10:57 GMT -5
Humane Society merging anti-hunting forces
By Bob Frye
TRIBUNE-REVIEW OUTDOORS EDITOR
Monday, December 31, 2007
The voice of America's anti-hunting forces is trying to become more powerful.
In what the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance is calling a "precisely-calculated effort," the Humane Society of the United States is attempting to consolidate all of the animal rights movement's political power under a single umbrella.
Humane Society director Wayne Pacelle reportedly told one publication that his organization may soon merge with at least three unnamed animal rights organizations.
"The HSUS is playing up a mainstream reputation in hopes of becoming the primary mouthpiece for the animal rights movement," said Bud Pidgeon, president of the Sportsmen's Alliance. "It is not difficult to convince a smaller group to unite with a multimillion dollar organization that will push its political agenda, be it to end hunting or eliminate animal research.
"Sportsmen will no doubt see HSUS continue to grow in this way."
The Humane Society previously absorbed the Fund for Animals in 2005 and the Doris Day Animal League in 2006. It has 10.5 million members or supporters -- 3.1 million more than it had just five years ago.
The group has an annual budget of $112 million, some of which it used -- for the first time ever last year -- to back or oppose candidates for public office based on their animal-related voting history
By Bob Frye
TRIBUNE-REVIEW OUTDOORS EDITOR
Monday, December 31, 2007
The voice of America's anti-hunting forces is trying to become more powerful.
In what the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance is calling a "precisely-calculated effort," the Humane Society of the United States is attempting to consolidate all of the animal rights movement's political power under a single umbrella.
Humane Society director Wayne Pacelle reportedly told one publication that his organization may soon merge with at least three unnamed animal rights organizations.
"The HSUS is playing up a mainstream reputation in hopes of becoming the primary mouthpiece for the animal rights movement," said Bud Pidgeon, president of the Sportsmen's Alliance. "It is not difficult to convince a smaller group to unite with a multimillion dollar organization that will push its political agenda, be it to end hunting or eliminate animal research.
"Sportsmen will no doubt see HSUS continue to grow in this way."
The Humane Society previously absorbed the Fund for Animals in 2005 and the Doris Day Animal League in 2006. It has 10.5 million members or supporters -- 3.1 million more than it had just five years ago.
The group has an annual budget of $112 million, some of which it used -- for the first time ever last year -- to back or oppose candidates for public office based on their animal-related voting history
