Last week Congressman Don Young (R-Ala) stood on his laurels and refused an award from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) honoring his work with animals in the past year. While many believe that HSUS does good things in communities, it is important to realize that there is a difference between the HSUS and the Humane Society of America. The latter is in fact the organization that helps to establish pet rescues around the country. HSUS does not actually rescue any animals despite their budget of more than $100 million and heart felt, puppy filled, marketing.

 

In an interview with The State Columnist Young explained why he did not accept the award.

 

"HSUS are hypocrites, plain and simple, and I will not join them by accepting this award," said Rep. Young. "Local animal shelters and humane societies do excellent work by caring for neglected and homeless animals, and through their spaying and neutering programs. This organization, however, has absolutely nothing to do with animal welfare. Instead they prey on the emotions of big-hearted Americans. They flash images of abused animals on our television screens to raise money that will eventually go to pay their salaries and pensions, not to helping better the lives of these animals.

 

"They run anti-hunting and anti-trapping campaigns and are of the same cloth as PETA and other extremist organizations. I can only guess that I was to receive this award due to my support of the Wildlife Without Borders program, which develops wildlife management and conservation efforts to maintain global species diversity. That program is true conservation; what this group wants is preservation. To accept this award would be supporting their manipulative ways and misguided agenda, and I want no part of that."

 

Do you support his decision?