Industry front maligns work of Humane Society

A letter writer from Billings gets it wrong when she falsely characterizes the work of The Humane Society of the United States ("Local donations will result in aid reaching animals," Jan. 30). She relies on false information from the misnamed Center for Consumer Freedom, an industry front for tobacco, alcohol and agribusiness, which serves no function other than to attack organizations that promote food safety, public health or animal welfare.

This group started with a $600,000 grant from tobacco giant Philip Morris and has even attacked Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CCF has always griped about our work to combat factory farming, puppy mills, animal fighting, the Canadian seal slaughter, commercial whaling and other large-scale cruelties.

For more than a half-century, The Humane Society of the United States has stood as the nation's most important advocate for local humane societies. The HSUS provides training programs, hosts the nation's largest trade and educational show for shelter professionals and provides national shelter standards. The HSUS also provides millions of dollars of support for spay and neuter programs and has just launched a national advertising campaign to promote the adoption of shelter animals.

The HSUS aids animals during disasters, rescuing thousands of animals from floods, fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, puppy mills and animal fights. We also provide no-cost veterinary care to dogs and cats in low-income communities around the world.

Visit Humanesociety.org to learn more or to get involved in our work.

Wendy Hergenraeder

Montana state director

The Humane Society of the United States

Billings