[accmemberdiscussion] "HSUS, IFAW, ASPCA Mislead Members." Reality Check on "Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH)"

From: Theresa M Cook <southnmist@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Legal Samoyed <legal_samoyed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, ALPet-Law <alpet-law@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, ACC <accmemberdiscussion@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Meg Kelly <kell2525@xxxxxxxxxxx>, Deb Ray <dray9106@xxxxxx>, Suzy Cook <skjcgm@xxxxxxxxxxx>, Kristen Rector <ten6384@xxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:50:46 -0600

Please get the word out! 
 

Theresa
HSUS helping Haitian pets?  Don't fall for it!  HSUS just wants your money!
http://tinyurl.com/y9outqn
RAOAL Responsible Animal Owners of Alabama
The video HSUS wants to hide!
~~~If you can't stand BEHIND our troops...feel free to stand in FRONT of 
them!!! ~~~




---Please cross post/forward widely.----

*HSUS IFAW ASPCA Mislead Members.*

17 January 2010**

*by Anai Rhoads*

-- 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 a 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...

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 ...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...

"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.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
                                          
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[accmemberdiscussion] "HSUS, IFAW, ASPCA Mislead Members." Reality Check on "Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH)"

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