Despite state residents generously supporting both HSUS and the ASPCA, both organizations’ most recently available financial records (2021) show that little cash support went to any of the many shelters in the state that support thousands of displaced pets.
Michigan is not alone. It’s a dubious pattern that is playing out across the country. Overall, pet shelters in 32 states reportedly received zero cash grants from HSUS in 2021. Twenty-one states got the same neglectful treatment from the ASPCA, according to their own tax documents.
It begs the question: If the lion’s share of spending doesn’t support local shelters, where does the money go?
A significant portion of donor contributions goes toward fundraising, self-promotion, and other expenses like executive salaries. ASPCA CEO Matt Bershadker, for example, makes nearly $1 million a year in compensation. HSUS spends more than $50 million on fundraising, including $950,000 on postage and shipping alone.