Actually "disinformation" is the more accurate term, because misinformation simply means one is misinformed. Disinformation is the purposeful, strategically planned distribution of false and/or misleading information. Alicia Drakiotes writes: >While in the late 90's great strides were taken to promote the >companion ferret via HSUS ... that acceptance of the ferret as a >companion animal was short lived. This is far from true. In fact, you can see a beautiful photo of a ferret on the front cover of the Fall-Winter 2008 issue of Animal Sheltering magazine (an HSUS publication). HSUS has also had tip sheets on caring for ferrets (both for consumers and for animal shelter operators) since 1999. >In fact, folks who were involved in the ferret embrace at HSUS were >demoted, removed from office. There was (and is) no HSUS "conspiracy" against ferrets or ferret supporters. That's just silly. There is a belief among many in HSUS that exotic animals should not be kept as pets, and there are still some people out there who can't distinguish between a ferret and a crocodile. Unfortunately, shelter operators (and police, ACOs, firefighters, wildlife rehabbers, etc.) are all too familiar with what happens when somebody brings a sugar glider or baby raccoon home and then decides it's too much trouble to feed and house properly. Oh yeah- the same thing happens to ferrets! >It was a short lived dream as the movement was in place to move HSUS >into a PETA based organization. IN fact, I believe you will find that >in the recent past they have merged. Huh?????!! That's just funny. Seems like an editorial published on the American Shih Tzu website has gotten pretty wide dissemination. It is a harsh and severely biased look at various animal welfare, advocacy and animal rights groups. Most of the information is unsubstantiated, biased, misleading and just plain wrong. If you scroll to the bottom of the editorial, you'll find a list of suggested charities where people should send their money. This list includes hunting and purebred dog owners' lobbying groups. That shouldn't come as a surprise ... http://www.shihtzu.org/info/peta_hsus.asp?menu=Info And here you will find the complete interview with Wayne Pacelle, for those who really care to discover one source of so much DISinformation and quotes taken out of context: http://www.satyamag.com/jun05/pacelle.html Here is some factual and unbiased information about HSUS's funding, programs and administrative costs, etc.: http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3848 <http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/animal-protection/humane-society-of-the-united-states-in-washington-dc-3129> The same information is available for PETA: http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4314 <http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/animal-protection/people-for-the-ethical-treatment-of-animals-in-norfolk-va-1160> >There is a GREAT and GRAVE difference in animal WELFARE ADVOCACY AND >ANIMAL ACTIVISM AND FOLKS SHOULD LEARN THAT WELL. Ummm ... not really. There IS a huge gap between how people and organizations define these terms. For some, simply demanding adequate food, water, shelter, exercise and protection from unnecessary pain and extreme temperatures constitutes "animal rights extremism." An activist is simply a person who publicly stands up for his/her beliefs. This sort of debate even occurs within animal organizations. Does HSUS promote the same policies as the ASPCA, and do they approve of and support the sensationalist media techniques of PETA? Heck no. Not even close. In the macro view, does your company CEO speak for you, or for all employees? Do you always agree with what he/she says? Of course not! A few other observations: 1. People can always find justification for whatever they want to believe. 2. A lot of people never let facts get in the way of a good argument. 3. Sound bites are easy, the deep stuff isn't. 4. You can't fight illogic with logic. Happy reading, over and out- Susann Thiel [Posted in FML 7023]