Political lobby group joins disinformation campaign

May 31, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Political lobby group joins disinformation campaign

CHICAGO, (EWA) – A fight is brewing in Washington over equine issues, including slaughter (HR 503), Mustang protection (HR 1018) and humane transport (HR 305). Now a group calling itself the “Center for Consumer Freedom” (CCF) has joined the barrage of disinformation campaigns with a new twist. While other groups such as the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) are circulating disinformation on equine issues, CCF is hiding behind their non-profit status and attacking the messengers that oppose their agendas.

The most recent target of their attack is the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). HSUS, through their legislative arm, has been extremely successful in promoting animal welfare through legislation as well as litigation. EWA considers the CCF attack as a blatant attempt to discredit HSUS, a mainstream organization supported by an overwhelming number of Americans in backing the federal legislation to end the slaughter of American horses.
CCF recently circulated an email soliciting funds to create a $75,000 documentary targeting HSUS. This email was conveyed to EWA by dues paying AQHA members who are opposed to horse slaughter, but whose voices are drowned out by unscrupulous breeders within their association.

“… We are seeking one-time contributions to finance the production and distribution of our own short online documentary about the Humane Society of the United States. It will be similar to the news coverage HSUS has managed to bully off the Internet, but the group will not have any legal right to impact its distribution. We are trying to raise $75,000 during the next week to finance this project, and we need your help today! Click here to make a tax-deductible online donation to assist with our efforts.”

In past reports, major news outlets, including USA Today, and the Washington Post have gone on record condemning CCF for misleading the public. ABC News exposed CCF as a “front” group for lobbyists hiding behind a non-profit.

In response to the CCF attack, 7 Things You Didn't Know About HSUS, HSUS refuted all seven allegations. In a response, HSUS states, “The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF), while organized as a 501(c) (3) charity, is a flack agency and industry front group for tobacco, alcohol, and agribusiness interests.”

Contrary to CCFs allegations, HSUS has never portrayed itself as a “rescue” nor the umbrella organization for local humane societies but as an organization that is involved in animal welfare on all fronts from dogs, to cats, to gerbils and to horses. Their emergency services team was recently instrumental in the rescue of Mustangs from a ranch in Nebraska and did indeed provide a home for eighty-four of the Mustangs as well as saving thousands of dogs from life in a puppy mill.

With President Obama taking a strong stand against lobbyists, EWA anticipates an increase in lobbying organizations masquerading as non-profit advocacy groups to hide their real agenda.

Contacts:
John Holland
540.268.5693
john@equinewelfarealliance.org

Vicki Tobin
630.961.9292
vicki@equinewelfarealliance.org

www.equinewelfarealliance.org