HSUS IFAW ASPCA Mislead Members
AnaiRhoads.org — In response to the catastrophic 7.0 earthquake in Haiti this week, non-profit animal welfare groups joined forces with the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH). The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) created this organisation and subsequent collaboration with the groups in order to rescue the animals who were left behind after the quake. Seems like a worthy cause, but nothing seems to fit.
The ASPCA announced in its press release, “There are an estimated 5 million head of livestock in the country (mostly goats).”
The area hardest hit did in fact have goats, as the non-profit groups pointed out. However, the 5 million figure for livestock was been greatly exaggerated.
The ASPCA and HSUS also claimed that there are companion animals. “…a large stray dog population, an untold number of companion animals.” This is really tough sell, in an area so poor that scanning trash for food was the norm. It would be utter suicide for the more than 80 percent of those are poor in the country to house and feed a companion animal. Approximately 57 percent were deeply impoverished, and the figure is now expected to rise significantly.
“I didn’t see one cat while I was there, and I would have noticed that because I’m very much a cat person,” said James Patrick Jordan, who was in Haiti for a human rights delegation just six days prior to the quake. “There didn’t appear to be a lot of overcrowded factory farming of animals, and since they weren’t, as a rule, confined to buildings that would have fallen on them.”
In 2008, a series of strong storms ravished Haiti, which wiped out most of the livestock and crops. The people there were left with nothing and the situation was grim. Food prices were distended and children were in desperate need of aid. Before Tuesday’s quake, it was said that Haiti never fully recovered from these storms. Jordan told AnaiRhoads.org that the people mainly survived sparingly on goats, and that there were no companion animals. This fits with the statistics left over from the 2008 storms.
The groups involved in raising funds for a mass number of animals, which don’t seem to exist, includes the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). The ASPCA and its number of animal welfare groups, are also involved. These include American Humane, Best Friends, HSUS and Humane Society International (HSI).
The ASPCA’s alert also states, “IFAW and WSPA have also begun to stock a mobile clinic with vaccines, antibiotics, bandages, food, and other supplies in anticipation of bringing direct aid to animals.” In an e-mail sent out to its members on 13 January, IFAW had stated that it would wait 1-2 weeks before heading into Haiti.
The animals are being eaten at a rapid pace. By the time anyone steps in - there will be none to save. During such a cataclysmic natural disaster, one would think of saving all living things not just those they deem “valuable.”
IFAW statement - “As always with disasters like this, the humanitarian rescue efforts will be the focus in the first week or so… The immediate priorities will be getting food, clean water, shelter and medical attention to the survivors.”
Knowing this and knowing that in 2008 nearly everything was wiped out to feed over 9 million people in Haiti, IFAW chose to wait. The main objective of this org, and the other orgs collaborating with them, is to save animals and not necessarily human-animals.
“After those immediate human needs are met, IFAW’s Emergency Response team will be ready to assist the animal victims in any way that we can.”
Piles of dead men, women and children strewn the streets. Over 40 percent of the population consisted of children under the age of 14 prior to the quake. The mortuaries cannot keep up with the bodies. People are languishing in the hot sun, wandering aimlessly desperate for shade.
Several women have given birth this week - without assistance. They are encouraged to breastfeed, all the while having nothing to eat or drink to sustain their flow. Those with babies caught in this nightmare, who were not breastfed, are now using contaminated water to mix baby formula.
The wounded are piling up in hospitals. Many are being treated by the side of the road. The situation in Haiti is grim and waiting for aid is not an option. That’s the reality.
Being an animal and human rights advocate for the last 17 years, I can tell you that supporting orgs which only focus on one or the either in times like this, should not be supported. Especially ones that toy with our emotions through misleading campaigns with exaggerated figures.
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20 Comments
On January 17, 2010, Jutta von Sivers wrote:
Tell me why the three main animal protection groups cannot combine efforts instead of criticizing other groups’ efforts.
Friends of Animals is a noble but at least for now unachievable. Concentrate on the most dire plight first then move on.
FoA comments:
Animal protection groups that already have millions of dollars sitting in the bank are obviously not spending that money on protecting animals and should not be fund-raising off a human tragedy to further increase their coffers.
On January 17, 2010, Cynthia wrote:
This confirms a suspicion I had when sending money to WSPA upon receipt of an email stating that they, HSI and another organisation would be working with the Dominican SPCA to rescue Haitian animals. Two days later, HSI wrote and said that this project was under consideration—much more honest, in my view. As an animal advocate who writes on behalf of twelve organisations, I am disappointed to read here that HSUS jumped the gun. I was in Punta Cana and saw only one cat the whole time I was there. I don’t see how such poor countries can afford anything other than so-called food animals. Mind you, second-level countries like Portugal have several stray or feral animals which are often abused or left to die in the streets. I don’t regret sending WSPA money, although I have lately questioned the big TV ads they seem able to afford. I just hope my money is used for what was claimed. Cynthia
On January 17, 2010, Priscilla Feral wrote:
Special thanks for the research and insight that Anai Rhoads put into the essay above on the plight of human and nonhuman animals in Haiti. One productive medical team on the ground, performing many needed surgeries, is Doctors Without Borders.
One person with the initials, DP wrote, with no independent facts or on-the-ground observations, to complain that the piece couldn’t be true; there must be more animals in Haiti, and one of the groups mentioned works in disasters. All disasters are not the same. There’s a logistical bottleneck in Haiti and people are desperate for water, food and medical care. If there’s no evidence of dogs or goats in a crisis, and no way to reach any, might we suggest that very well-heeled animal charities stop fundraising off a tragedy under the guise of helping animals?
Priscilla Feral
President, Friends of Animals
On January 17, 2010, Ellie Maldonado wrote:
Thank you to Anai Rhoads for a very informative article. As an eye witness to conditions in Haiti, Patrick Jordan confirms that pet keeping is not possible in desperate poverty, and that there isn’t a huge population of homeless animals who need to be rescued.
Also, besides exaggerating the number of goats and other nonhumans, what exactly is the goal of these groups in “rescuing” them? Do they intend to “rescue” goats so that they can be eaten? There’s a big difference between true rescue and inventing a sham to get donations.
Ellie
On January 17, 2010, alice in LALA land wrote:
II cross posted this to my all breed list. HSUS and the rest are despicable.. asking for money they have NO intention of spending in Haiti or really any other place.. except in the hall of the state capitals and federal building where they lobby constantly with donated dollars to take animal ownership out of the hands of the individual.
Sadly, few animals will be left .. if any at all after this as they will all be eaten.. .
On January 17, 2010, Edith Kraemer wrote:
Thanks for the information. It makes sense that there are not many, if any, companion animals in Port-au-Prince due to the poverty of the people. I have not received a request from IFAW yet and will not contribute towards Haiti. However, I only send them a contribution once a year anyway.
Again, many thanks for the good work that Friends of Animals does - I am looking forward to receiving information on my adopted chimpanzee!
FoA comments:
Your intelligent remarks and continued support are very much appreciated.
On January 17, 2010, Anai Rhoads wrote:
Thank you for your supportive comments.
As I mentioned in my article, livestock and crops were nearly wiped out in 2008. This is such an important point, because it not only proves that there aren’t 5 million “heads” of livestock currently in this impoverished country, but that our delegate-contact confirmed it first-hand during his 10-day stay there.
The spirit of my piece was not to attack, it was meant to point out how some groups tend to manipulate a tragedy in order to cash in. This is not what animal rights is about.
Please support known Haitian Relief groups, or as Priscilla Feral mentioned, Doctors Without Borders. DWB has had a large operation in Haiti since 1991 and run hospitals, ER clinics and rape centers there.
On January 18, 2010, Maureen Sheridan wrote:
I have been in discussion with James Sawyer the person in charge of WSPA’s disaster relief team questioning why it has taken so long for anyone to actually set foot on Haitian ground. His responses to my questions have reiterated the excuse that they are awaiting the “go ahead” to get into the country and are involved in “delicate” negotiations…with whom they were not able to say. Nor was there any answer to my question regarding who was supposed to give them the “go ahead” to get in (no one else has needed this). As the founder and operator of an animal sanctuary in Jamaica, the island closest to Haiti, I am extremely concerned that six days after the quake there is still no one present to help the animals. Only requests for donations.
On January 18, 2010, kevina wrote:
I would like to know what was Haiti’s food source before the quake?
I hope if there are animals over there that all the organizations already have monies to help, after all a lot of our population sends donations on a regular basis.
On January 18, 2010, Maureen Sheridan wrote:
I have now been accused of personally criticizing James Sawyer and attacking his reputation when all I did was quote him (see above)and sum up what had transpired between us. When I tried to respond to this false interpretation on the forum we were discussing the matter in, the moderator refused to let me do so saying that my views did not match those of the majority of respondents. Correct me if I am wrong but as an official representative of WSPA what Mr. Sawyer says is relevant to the issue and for him to take the repeating of his own words as criticism is in my view gross misinterpretation of intent. And I certainly had no intention of attacking his reputation (not sure how he came to that conclusion at all).
My apologies if I offended him in voicing my concern over the delay in getting help to Haiti’s animals.
On January 18, 2010, Priscilla Feral wrote:
Crops and animals known as livestock were wiped out during
the multiple hurricanes which struck Haiti in 2008. In short, goats, unfortunately, were a major food source before the earthquake.
Maureen, please know that you’re entitled to your opinion about WSPA officials who are fundraising and offering their reasons for saying they have work to perform in Haiti. Challenging any group’s interventions, or promises is what it’s all about. Some donors think they look foolish if they question someone’s authority and reasoning. I feel differently. If it doesn’t make sense, it probably isn’t true, as Judge Judy says.
Priscilla Feral
Friends of Animals
On January 20, 2010, Franny wrote:
It would be helpful to have information on group animal organizations who bring in “alot” of money and how they are spending it and if it is being used in the best interest of the animal populations in need. Like so may organizations these days there will always be the groups who start to lose sight of their reason for being here as originally intended. It is hard to stay informed of who is keeping up to snuff and who is not. We need that kind of information disseminated to we animal lovers and donaters who want our monies going to the animals in need and not the pockets of folks who are losing their way morally in their job. Money corrupts and we need to make sure that no one suffers from this human weakness, neither our organizations or most importantly the animals we are all trying to protect. Thank you for your time. :)
On January 21, 2010, Elle Simpson wrote:
I’m just baffled by this whole article. In most cases where there are humans there are dogs/cats probably feral populations running loose. In Haiti these people could barely feed themselves less care for their pets so chances are any they had or kept would not of been spayed/neutered. The first thing I saw being lifted off the planes were rescue dogs. It breaks my heart all they unselfishly give to us and the little we give back to them. I can understand the government being concerned for the safety of volunteers at such a critical time when so much help is not being reached to the suffering people resulting in fighting for what little there is. It is a disgrace to use a catastrophe for monetary gain by any organization.
On January 22, 2010, Cindy Smith wrote:
Thank you for writing this article. It was informative and makes complete sense to me. Thank you.
On January 23, 2010, kaylor wrote:
It appears that HSUS was so successful raising money to “help the abandoned animals” after hurricane Katrina that they will now take advantage of every possible disaster to raise more funds. and yes, that would be funds to line their pockets with very little going to the care of animals. The state of Louisiana did threaten them with a lawsuit, so the built a shelter ($400,000 our of millions raised). They are quite willing to spend 3/4 of the money donated to raise more money.
I also want to point out, it isn’t just major disasters. All of these groups receive horrendous amounts of money after a very public “seizure of abused animals”, even when the abuse is mostly of their own fabrication.
We all need to watch these organizations more carefully. Too many people are making too much money and/or their living off these so-called abused animals.
On January 26, 2010, Jutta von Sivers wrote:
shouldnt all three animal welfare association pull together instead critizing each other. Makes no sense.
[Blog editors’ note: HSUS, IFAW, ASPCA and WSPA pulled together, apparently. And the Animal Rescue Site reported that they had raised $231,000 for IFAW for animal rescue in Haiti, but what’s that?]
On January 27, 2010, soho wrote:
How tragic are Weir’s comments caring about human life vs. animal life which is one in the same, except these mammals don’t execute humans for fashion.
On January 27, 2010, michelle wrote:
I sympathize with the plight of the human suffering in Haiti, but let us help the animals too, and don’t discredit the organisations trying to do so, hunger is hunger, we all feel it!!!!!!!!!!! Be us human or otherwise
On January 28, 2010, Mike wrote:
As for the animals in Haiti, most of them are for food. In the real world people have to do what it takes to survive. The people in Haiti never had the luxury of being able to buy a tofu burger or other fake crap like that. They did what they had to do to survive. ..
If any animal rights organization is making money off of bogus claims, then every other AR org. should call them out. If not, it looks like all of y’all are a bunch of crooks. ..
Why is there no contact information for Friends of Animals? No address, no phone number, nothing. If you go on any hunting organization website, you can easily find contact info. Makes me think your hiding something or that you just don’t want to be confronted and asked questions about certain things…
[Blog editors’ note: On our Web site, click onto the “about” tab at the top of the page and you’ll find Friends of Animals’ contact information in detail.]
On January 30, 2010, sara wrote:
The HSUS/HSI claims in its “emergency appeal” to be working in Haiti saving animals in distress. They are not doing that but the group IS at the Sundance Film Festival courting celebrities - this year with live puppies (Stop Puppy Mills/Donate Now) at the Sky Lodge’s exhibit booths. Last year, their focus at Sundance was on Save the Seals/Boycott Canadian Seafood. HSUS actually gave Paris Hilton an award at last year’s festival (shortly after she donated $100,000) Deceiver.com covered the hypocricy (“One Night in Paris’s Animal World). Wayne Pacelle and the HSUS are a disgrace.