Archive for April, 2008
The Case for Animals

Michael Van Dusen, the Center’s deputy director, introduces me. I had the privilege of speaking this morning at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars—a living memorial to former President Wilson. It is a setting where policy experts, authors, scholars, and others talk about the . . .
More to the Story

Newsweek has an online story about the supposed divide between animal groups over the issue of euthanasia. It’s an overly simplified and somewhat inaccurate story, and it bears some comment. First, The HSUS does not oppose "no kill" sheltering operations as alleged in the article. . . .
Common Denominators

Tomorrow at 10 a.m. EDT, I will be speaking at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and you can watch it live here. The invitation to speak at the Center came from its director, former Congressman Lee Hamilton, whose name should be familiar for . . .
Keep It Civil
I am not one who sees a conspiracy at every turn. While I have seen a fair share of greed and collusion and even corruption in observing the workings in our nation’s capital, I do have a fundamental faith in our government systems and the . . .
Art, Examined

During the last month, I’ve received a torrent of email about Costa Rican artist Guillermo Vargas featuring a starving street dog as “art” in a Nicaraguan gallery. According to accounts we’ve received, Vargas picked up the poor creature and displayed him in the gallery—attempting to . . .
Changing of the Guard

It is a special privilege to advance the work of The HSUS and to be able to serve our members and supporters, whose generous support and active participation in our programs enables the work of the organization. It is also a distinct privilege to serve . . .
Response Required

Every animal protection organization worth its salt has known that trafficking in "downed animals" is inherently inhumane. This moral question was brought to light in a dramatic way with The HSUS’s Hallmark/Westland Meat Co. investigation—with large, ailing downed cows being tormented in the most barbaric . . .
Put a Fork in Global Warming

It’s Earth Day, and we rightly hear exhortations on recycling, responsible energy use, and lightening our step on the planet. This year’s celebration of Earth Day is dominated by discussions of climate change, and the personal and public policy responses to the crisis. Indeed, the . . .
Talk Back: Save Our Seals
Readers have responded full force to Canada’s slaughter of baby seals and to Rebecca Aldworth’s dispatches from the ice with calls for the killing to come to an end. Since the hunt began, messages of outrage, sympathy, encouragement and despair have poured in. Among those . . .
Historic Crossroads for Seals

©The HSUS/Marcus GygerAlternatives to the seal slaughter make more sense. We’ve known for a long time that Canada’s mass seal slaughter makes no moral sense. In looking at the revenue generated by the kill, and the many costs associated with it, we now know it . . .
Pope Benedict: A Voice for Animals

During his historic visit to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI probably will not address the question of human responsibilities to animals and the environment, but his thinking on these issues is particularly important to The Humane Society of the United States given our new . . .
Protecting the Vulnerable

© North County TimesThe infant bear cub. Warning: dangerous video. Your heart may melt more than just a little watching the footage of a baby bear cub, rescued on a road in southern California and then taken to refuge at The Fund for Animals Wildlife . . .