Right now is probably not the best time to post about it seeing that the Human Society is on everyone’s shit-lists right now, but……..one thing that I was sent recently was a link to Humane Society University. Humane Society University offers B.S. degrees and graduate certificates in Animal Studies, Animal Policy and Advocacy, and Humane Leadership. I know absolutely NOTHING about this program, but it’s certainly intriguing. They are  licensed under the Degree Granting Institution Regulations of the District of Columbia so it sounds legit. Classes are $900 for a 3 credit course which is pretty reasonable. Has anyone ever heard of it or taken a class? It could be a great resource for people who are looking to help animals as part of their educational experience without having to go through programs in the agriculture department. Some text from their recruiting materials:

HSU offers non-credit professional instruction on diverse topics — everything from mastering animal sheltering basics and leadership to combating compassion fatigue and illegal animal
fighting. Professional development courses are offered as in-person workshops throughout the country, and as user-friendly online courses that can fit any schedule.

Their academic program begins on October 24.

So if you’re not all AR conferenced out after the 2009 Animal Rights National Conference in Los Angeles from July 16 – 20, head over to Arlington, VA for the Taking Action for Animals 2009 Conference sponsored by The Humane Society of the United States. The event is happening from July 24th through the 27th and if you register before June 20th you can get an extra $25 off the regular conference rate. Not a bad deal for just being a little prepared. Click here to visit their website and find out more info about the speakers (including Ginnifer Goodwin!) and schedule of events.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is putting on parties nationwide to get political for animals with their Put an End to Puppy Mills Party campaign on Sunday, April 19th. Lola’s in West Hollywood will be donating 10% of all martini sales to the cause as well as hosting a party starting at 5:30 PM. If you happen to live in another area, there’s a whole slew of parties happening around the country and you can find the entire list on the Human Society’s Party Animal’s website here. Here are all the details for the party at Lola’s:

Martini’s Against Puppy Mills
Date: April 19th, 5:30 PM
Location: LOLA’S
Address: 945 N FAIRFAX AVENUE, WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90046

You can RSVP for the event here.

ABC News program Nightline is having a special in-depth report tonight where they go undercover inside a chimpanzee research facility with an investigator for The Humane Society of the United States. For nine months they investigated the wretched existence of chimpanzees and other primates who are warehoused or used for research in laboratories at a cost of millions to taxpayers. The subject is very timely with all the news talking about interstate commerce of primates dominating congress and the news. You can check out a preview of tonight’s episode here or tune in at 11:35 PM tonight to see the full story.

Last week was National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. If you missed it, you’re not the only one. I just got an e-mail from spcaLA saying they are celebrating this week instead. This year’s sponsor was Guess Clothing. 100 percent of the net profits from their “Shelters Rock” t-shirts will be donated to the Humane Society US. The shirts are available online in both mens and womens sizes. Guess stores will also be selling tote bags in their stores though November 15th and donating $5 from each sale to HSUS.

As I’m sure most are aware, Proposition 2 passed in California. Today’s Los Angeles Times has the best reaction I’ve heard so far:

The American College of Poultry Veterinarians, decried the measure as economically disastrous for California egg producers

Congratulations to The Humane Society and Wayne Pacelle. You can read the full LA Times article here.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund has posted its 2008 Humane Scorecard, and you can read it here. The scorecard, which is published annually, provides the records of U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives on major animal welfare policies. This most recent report card covers 2007-2008, the two-year span of the 110th Congress. This is extremely timely seeing that 33 Senate seats and all House seats are up for grabs in just 3 weeks. This only provides information on incumbents, but you can see if they are worth supporting or if it’s time to clean house, literally.

In their last push for funds leading up to November 4ths Prop 2 vote, the Humane Society Legislative Fund are sponsoring parties all across the US. It looks like the closest one to Los Angeles is at “Rick and Kelle’s Place” in Redondo Beach. Their fund raising goal is $2,000 and they are already half-way there. If you’re interested in going, you can get all the details and RSVP here. I’m sure they are nice people and would love to have anyone stop by that is a supporter of Prop 2.

Last week I was greeted with this short little video in my e-mail. In an animated 2 minute clip HSUS was able to sum up everything to hate about Prop 2.

The biggest issue I have with Prop 2 is that it promotes the concept of “Happy Meat.” HSUS is really pushing the idea that these animals are only one measure and opposable thumbs away from starting their own band. The first piece of information you are given on the the Yes on Prop 2 website under “Facts” is Prop 2 “stops cruel and inhumane treatment of animals.” Statements like that give the false impression that if this measure passes, the standards of factory farming will be changed so dramatically that it is now OK to eat dairy/meat. “You’ve done your part, now go out and reward yourself with a basket of New Original Recipe KFC Chicken Strips!”

What it really means is that animals are going from this:

To this:

I don’t know about you, but I still don’t see too many smiling faces in the cage free picture above. Oh, I forgot, they will still be debeaked, so they can’t smile. Woops!

There is one reason why I am voting Yes on Prop 2. The only benefit I can see is that it will add an additional financial burden on these factory farms. You certainly can’t count on Americans to change their behavior out of compassion, but you can count on them changing their behavior out of greed. Increasing the cost of production will in turn increase the cost at the grocery store. If there’s one thing Americans like, it’s their cruelty served to them as cheap as possible. So despite taking issue with virtually everything this bill stands for, I will still be voting Yes on California’s Prop 2 measure this November.