HSUS sends $26M to Caribbean [mainly Cayman Islands], but little to pet shelters
From Humane Watch
The deceptively named Humane Society of the United States only spends 1% of its budget on grants to help local organizations care for pets. But HSUS can afford to send $26 million—the equivalent of 20% of its budget—to offshore hedge funds. It’s a case of putting tax shelters ahead of pet shelters, and it comes on top of the $25.7 million HSUS put into the Caribbean in 2012.
In 2013, HSUS reports that it sent $26 million to the Caribbean and Central America. Where exactly did that money go? A supplemental document tells us:
Convexity Capital Offshore LP [Class Q] (Cayman Islands): $3,500,000
ESG Cross Border Equity Offshore Fund (Cayman Islands): $5,000,000
Holowesko Global Fund (Bahamas): $5,000,000
Steadfast International (Cayman Islands): $5,000,000
Convexity Capital Offshore LP [Class G] (Cayman Islands): $5,000,000
This only adds up to $23.5 million, and HSUS declared $26 million going to the Caribbean and Central America. Where’s the other $2.5 million?
A better question is:
With all this money, why can’t HSUS afford to spend more on pet shelters? This holiday season, make sure your friends and family know to avoid this rip-off of a charity and support their local pet shelters—which probably don’t get a dime from HSUS—instead.
For more on this story go to: http://www.humanewatch.org/hsus-sends-26-million-to-caribbean-but-little-to-pet-shelters/
Related story:
Humane Society of the United States
From Give.org
In evaluating Standard 15, which calls for solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, that are accurate, truthful and not misleading, both in whole and in part, the Alliance considered the following: A complainant has alleged, in full-page newspaper ads, television ads and in communications with the Alliance that HSUS appeals are misleading. Among other things, the complainant notes that HSUS appeals feature images of dogs and cats, yet “HSUS gives only 1% of its budget to local shelters.” In response, the Alliance reviewed The HSUS’s 2011 appeals and found that most did not specifically reference assistance to local shelters but identified other HSUS program activities. In addition, although HSUS cash grants to local shelters are a small portion of its program activities, The HSUS states that it provides direct and indirect assistance to shelters through training, publications, spay/neutering promotions, adoption campaigns, animal rescue and other activities.
Humane Society of the United States meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Complaints
Number of complaints processed by the BBB in the last 36 months: 16.
Mailing List and Phone List Removal
The organization addressed the complaint issues brought to its attention: 12.
(These complaints involve an individual seeking to have his or her name and contact information removed from the organization’s mailing and/or telemarketing list).
Financial Credits and Gifts
The organization addressed the complaint issues brought to its attention: 4.
(These complaints involve an individual seeking a refund of their donation or the delivery of a promised premium item).
