The Humane Society of the United States claims to be the largest animal protection organization in this country. Their website proudly proclaims that 11 million Americans or one in every 28, send off a financial contribution to support their mission.

A closer look at the HSUS tells us that in 2008, the group collected more than $86 million in contributions. The report from the Center for Consumer Freedom (www.consumerfreedom.com) shows that of those funds, $24 million went to raise more money. Put another way, 28 cents of every dollar HSUS collects goes to raising more funds. Another $30.9 million went to employee salaries with 41 of HSUS employees making over $100,000. Based on Center for Consumer Freedom research, only $450,000 - just half of 1 percent of its total budget - went to organizations that provide hands-on care to dogs and cats.

The HSUS is a humane society in name only - it operates no pet shelters or adoption facilities. The HSUS funds no research on farm animal care, despite the fact that they claim that it is a problem.

The true agenda of the HSUS is to eliminate animal agriculture, end all meat and milk consumption and create a vegan society. A vegan by the way is someone who avoids consuming meat, eggs and dairy products or using animal products of any kind.

Targeting children

In 2008, Dan Mathews, vice president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said, "when you consider any movement for social change, it's really got to be seen as a generational one.

You've really got to start with kids and re-shape their ideas about things . reaching consumers as they're starting to form their life-long habits is the most important thing."

While the above quote is from PETA, a different animal rights group, the PETA strategy of targeting children with radical animal rights messages is a standard tactic. What occurred at the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., earlier this spring is an illustration of why all of us in agriculture must be more watchful of traditional organizations that we trust and hold near and dear to our heart.

On March 23, HSUS representatives presented two workshops "Animal Instincts: Service Learning and Animal Welfare" at the National 4-H Conference. I am told that, the students who attended the HSUS workshop were never made aware that the HSUS was the organization putting on that particular session. While students were innocently learning about the political process and becoming an advocate, the HSUS was able to sneak propaganda into the hands of agriculture youth. The only way for the youth to know the HSUS was the featured organization was if a student had actually asked the speaker where she worked and what she did for a living. This was a slick, sneaky and dishonest way for the HSUS to try to influence youth at a vulnerable age.

In a prepared statement dated April 2, the National 4-H Center said the Humane Society of the United States proposal was reviewed by the planning committee and found acceptable and that the proposal addressed the National 4-H Conference central theme of citizenship and showed alignment with programming areas for community service, youth volunteerism, service learning and youth voice. The statement from the National 4-H headquarters was certainly not an apology.

Those of us who have been involved with 4-H most of our lives expected more.

Poor judgment

I am not writing to chastise national 4-H. I have great respect for 4-H and the work they do. I am willing to acknowledge that what happened at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Case, Md., (where I used to work) was an act of poor judgment. Hopefully, this is not a case of the fox getting into the chicken house; and let's hope this is the last time 4-H teams up with the likes of the HSUS or any other radical group whose mission is to destroy the livestock industry.

We can all support humane animal care because it is the right thing to do. Abuse or neglect of animals in homes, or on the farm, must not be tolerated. There is no place in agriculture for improper animal treatment and cruelty laws must be vigorously enforced.

The Minnesota Beef Council (http://mnbeef.org or http://bqa.org) and other livestock groups conduct educational workshops and certification programs that focus on responsible animal care. Farmers and ranchers care about their animals, the environment and feeding a hungry world.

Hang onto your wallets and credit cards. Make sure that you know what your contribution will be used for. Check to see if the group has animal shelters to house unwanted dogs and cats. Find out if the staff is volunteers or is paid a salary. If the group has a paid staff, you have a right to know how much of the budget goes to pay salaries. Make sure you know how the money will be spent and what percent of it will be used to raise additional funds. Don't provide support to activist groups and their overpaid executives whose goal is to destroy our farms and ranches and dictate what you're going to have for dinner.

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This commentary was submitted by Ronald Eustice, executive director of the Minnesota Beef Council.