WASHINGTON-With schools and non profit organizations across the country in need of money to support their programs, many use auctions as a way of raising those funds. An increasing number of these organizations are going beyond the standard dinner-for-two and theatre offerings and are placing live animals, including cats and dogs, up for grabs. The Humane Society of the United States is strongly against this practice, and urges schools and other fundraising groups to avoid using live animals to raise money.
Bringing a pet into one's home is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Animals depend on their human caretakers, not only for food and shelter, but also for a lifetime home. Making an impulsive decision is not beneficial for the animals or the family.
"People spend weeks or months planning a couch or camera purchase, but many people don't think through how much money and time a pet requires when they bid on a live animal at a charity auction or fundraiser," said Kelly Connolly, issues specialist for the companion animals section of The HSUS. "Often it is a spur-of-the-moment decision, an overwhelming desire to outdo a fellow bidder. The HSUS believes this is not how a pet should be brought into a family."
Some common questions that should be answered before bringing home a pet include:
- Do you have time for a pet?
- Can you afford a pet?
- Is it a good time for you and your family to adopt a pet?
- Have you discussed getting a pet with other members of your family?
- Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind?
- Are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime?
While many states prohibit using live animals as giveaways for raffles, fairs, and to entice new business, animals auctioned at charitable fundraisers are usually not protected.
"Adding a pet to the family is a serious commitment," Connolly continued. "Auctions and other fundraisers that feature live animals can undermine this commitment, and put more animals at risk for ending up at animal shelters or simply being abandoned. If a person or family has done careful research and decide they are ready to bring a pet into their home we recommend going to a local animal shelter or animal rescue group to adopt a friend for life."
For more information on pets as prizes, visit www.hsus.org/petsasprizes.
For information on choosing the right pet for your family, visit www.petsforlife.org.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than 9.5 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammals, animals in research, equine protection, and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy and field work. The nonprofit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country. On the web at http://www.hsus.org/.
