HumaneWatch.org

HumaneWatch.org is a website created by millionaire Washington, D.C.-area lobbyist Rick Berman and his corporate-funded front group, the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) to attack and attempt to de-fund the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Berman typically targets activist charities that criticize big business, or lobby for policies that conflict with the views of big business. The HSUS lobbies for policies that mandate humane treatment of animals in commercial animal industries, like puppy mills, dairy and confinement meat industries. In addition to attacking HSUS, CCF is known for attacking other public interest and pro-consumer groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Other CCF-funded projects include FishScam.com, funded by the food-and-beverage industry to counter scientific evidence about the dangers of mercury levels in fish; CSPIscam.org, which is dedicated solely to criticizing the Center for Science in the Public Interest; and SunlightScam which represents indoor tanning manufacturers, distributors, and facility owners, and which claims tanning is not dangerous in any way.

Strategy
HumaneWatch's strategy is to convince people that the national Humane Society should spend its money solely on animal shelters instead of lobbying for pro-animal policies. The national Humane Society of the U.S. engages in lobbying for pro-animal policies and corporate reforms that respect and protect animals from cruelty, thus earning the wrath of corporations that engage in animal cruelty as part of their routine commercial operations.

Sourcewatch resources

 * Rick Berman
 * Center for Consumer Freedom
 * CCF selected campaigns

External resources

 * Ian T. Shearn Investigative Report: Richard Berman -Corporate front-man makes a fine living attacking charities, Investigative report, May 11, 2010
 * http://humanewatch.org/

Contact
HumaneWatch P.O. Box 34555 Washington, DC 20043

Phone contact for media: Allison Miller 202-463-7112