Talk Back: Attacking Animal Cruelty from All Angles

The HSUS works to reduce suffering and create meaningful social change for animals by advocating for sensible public policies, investigating cruelty and working to enforce existing laws, educating the public, joining with corporations on behalf of animal-friendly policies, and conducting hands-on programs that make ours a more humane world. Today I share some of your recent comments on HSUS efforts in all of these areas.

First, your thoughts on a guest blog from Ashley Mauceri, our deputy manager of animal cruelty issues, who works with concerned community members and law enforcement to respond to acts of cruelty and help animals in need:

I want to thank you for what you do. Thank God there are people like you for the animals. It is surprising how many people don't know what to do when faced with the issue of animal abuse. Sometimes it just takes a little leadership to show others how to help. Also, not giving up on law enforcement. —Barbara

Thank you for all that you do. It sickens me to hear about the horrible things that people do to animals, but I also know that there are more people out there that love them and are willing to fight for them. God bless you! —Heather Jeffcoat

Dozens of lives have been saved by your diligence and hard work. We're all animals, so let's treat one another with respect and care. —Danielle

Celebrating two recent victories in our efforts to combat factory farming—news that a federal legal case against a polluting egg factory farm in California will proceed to trial, and that major cruise lines Carnival and Royal Caribbean will each switch millions of eggs from caged hens to eggs from cage-free hens:

Many thanks to everyone at HSUS who are bringing these amazing changes to industries that abuse and exploit animals. For a long time, I read about these awful practices but there didn't seem to be much happening to change them—now there does. It gives me and I'm sure many others hope and inspires me to do more to be involved and help. Keep up the great work and know that we are behind you! —Jenny Saccenti

About another step forward for the YES! on Prop B campaign in Missouri to advance commonsense and long overdue reforms against puppy mill cruelty in the state:

Excellent! Such exciting news. I know puppy mill reform will sweep the country. —Sara N.

These puppies and their mothers are living beings who hurt just like we do. They hope, and feel depression and anxiety, just like we do. … All this for money, with no feelings for these little guys. Sad. Please put an end to this. —Nancy Coppola

And, finally, in response to a video documenting the recent rescue of more than 100 dogs from the filth and squalor of a Mississippi puppy mill:

Watching these videos of your team rescuing these dogs is both heartbreaking and infuriating at the same time. It makes me angry that people can treat animals this way and have no regard for their well being. Seeing the horribly matted dog reminded me of a little rescue who is living in my home. His hair was much longer, but matted to the extreme that his skin was torn. Please keep up the great work! One day maybe people buying puppies from these greedy people will wake up and see they are contributing to the suffering. I know I am grateful to have access to the Internet to be able to share this information. —Nancy

Thank you so much for rescuing these dogs. The footage is unbelievable! —Sharon

I watched this video and was brought to tears. I was literally sobbing. Being such an animal lover I just cannot fathom how these animals even survived those horrific conditions. I am SO THANKFUL and GRATEFUL for all involved in this rescue. I thank God that there are such wonderful, kind souls out there to help all of our animals. It makes me happy to know these animals are on their way to a much better and happier existence. May God bless all of you involved and animals too! —Karen Wagner