Humane USA has been formed by leaders of major animal protection organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, The Fund for Animals, Farm Sanctuary, ASPCA, Doris Day Animal League, Animal Welfare Institute, The Ark Trust, Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, and others. Its board or directors, advisory board, and advisors are top grassroots and national animal protection leaders.

Because of their charitable status with the Internal Revenue Service, other animal protection groups - such as The HSUS and Farm Sanctuary - are legally barred from endorsing candidates. Humane USA is the only national animal protection group that is allowed to participate in candidate election campaigns.

So, how does Humane USA obtain money to donate to candidates? We raise money through direct mail, our website, person-to-person solicitation, and fundraisers.

What's the difference between lobbying and electioneering? Lobbying entails persuading elected officials to support a specific position on legislation. Electioneering involves endorsing a specific candidate, donating money to his or her campaign, holding a fundraiser for a candidate, or otherwise attempting to influence the outcome of an election. Nonprofit groups can and should lobby (although there are limits to the amount of time and money that can be devoted to lobbying under Internal Revenue Service rules). However, nonprofit groups cannot electioneer without breaking the law. If they do, they jeopardize their tax-exempt status.



The news media makes it sound like political action committees are unscrupulous. Is Humane USA any different? There has been a lot of negativity surrounding PACs, especially as Congress considers legislation to regulate the influence of money in campaigns. Humane USA does not oppose current efforts to regulate "soft" money and impose other restrictions on funding campaigns. That said, it is vital that animal advocates fully participate in political activity in order to be effective. Without the work of Humane USA, our movement was at a distinct disadvantage in the political sphere. Now, we can compete for the attention of all lawmakers and make sure that our issues are recognized as worthy and important.


When choosing whether or not to donate to a candidate, does Humane USA consider other important issues as well - such as education, abortion, civil rights, defense spending, etc.? No. There are many vitally important issues that come before legislative bodies. However, Humane USA has a single focus - animal protection. If we were to consider other issues, no matter how important, it would be difficult to find a candidate to support. Humane USA believes that animal protection voters must be viewed as an identifiable voting block in order to gain greater respect and attention from candidates. When we can influence the outcome of elections, more candidates will embrace our agenda.



Ernie Eison
Westwood Acres Reptiles Farms Inc.

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