Humane Society Spars With Consumers Group
Caroline Preston // The Chronicle of PhilanthropyFebruary 23, 2010
The Humane Society of the United States is barking back after the start of a high-profile campaign that includes a new Web site attacking its work.
The Web site, HumaneWatch.org, was created by the Center for Consumer Freedom, a nonprofit group run by Washington lobbyist Richard Berman that advocates in behalf of restaurants and other companies.
The Center for Consumer Freedom ran a full-page advertisement in Tuesday's New York Times announcing the new Web site and saying that "the dog-watchers need a watchdog."
The advertisement attacks the Humane Society of the United States for giving only a tiny fraction of its roughly $100-million annual budget to "hands-on pet shelters." It also slams the group for putting $2.5-million toward its retirement plans for employees.
In a blog post entitled "Follow the Money," Humane Society president Wayne Pacelle criticizes the motivations of the Center for Consumer Freedom, saying it represents corporations that seek to undercut animal-protection work. He says the Humane Society's mission includes not only supporting animal sanctuaries but doing advocacy for all sorts of animals.
"Yes, the HSUS funds its pension obligations to its loyal staff," Mr. Pacelle continues. "Only in the perverse minds of CCF would that be a cause for complaint."
David Martosko, who says he has worked with Berman and Company since 2000, is blogging at HumaneWatch.org. His recent posts include a request to donors who regret supporting the Humane Society: "I'll collect recommendations from shelter professionals so I can match you up with a needy pet shelter in your community."
In 2007, the Center for Consumer Freedom received about $2.47-million in contributions, according to its Form 990 filing. It paid Berman and Company roughly $1.5-million, and the New York Times, U.S. News and World Report, and Interactive Media around $100,000 each.
Richard Berman has been a regular front man for business and industry in campaigns against consumer safety and environmental groups. Through his public affairs firm, Berman and Company, Berman has fought unions, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, PETA and other watchdog groups in their efforts to raise awareness about obesity, the minimum wage, the dangers of smoking, mad cow disease, drunk driving, and other causes. Berman runs at least 15 industry-funded front groups and projects, such as the Center for Union Facts and holds 16 "positions" in those organizations.
Each year, Berman, using his front groups to spread misinformation, spends millions of dollars distracting the public with misleading ads.
As a result of his largesse, in 2006, Richard Berman used $2,000,000 in cash to buy this $3.3 million house.
