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Conference misery::feline

Title:	Meower Power - Where Differing Opinions are Respected
Notice:	purrrrr...
Moderator:	JULIET::CORDES_JA

Created:	Wed Nov 13 1991
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	1079
Total number of notes:	28858

603.0. "American Humane Association: Question About." by WMGEN2::SULLIVAN_E () Tue Sep 14 1993 07:17

    
    
    Hi,
    
    	Does anyone have information about:
    
    	 American Humane Assoc.,
    	 Animal Protection Division, 
    	 63 Inverness Drive East
    	 Englewood CO  80122
    
    	 In particular:
    				American Humane Association
    				Card Processing Center
    				PO Box 96005
    				Washington, D.C. 20077-7042
    
    
     	Since I subscribe to Cat Fancy Magazine, I am sure that I ended
    	up on the mailing list for the American Humane Assoc.  I don't
    	mind that as long as this organization is a bonafide organization
        that operates in an efficient fund-raising manner on behalf of
    	animal protection.
    
    	I recently received a "fund raising offer" to purchase Christmas
    	cards to benefit this association.  I was very interested in doing
    	this until I read through the brochure, which vaguely stated how
        much of the money from the purchasing of these cards would actually
        go for the cause of animal protection.
    
        The only specific reference was, and I quote, "...our cards cost us
        nothing!  Even the samples enclosed are provided at no charge. 
    	Best of all, we'll be able to put a full five percent of each sale
    	towards sustaining our animal prpoteciton operations."
    
    	My question is, what about the other 95%?  Can administrative costs
    	and marketing account for 95% and only 5% goes to the benefit of
    	animals.  If this is the case, then I am outraged, and I would like
    	to complain, but to whom?  We all know that precious funding
        dollars are hard to come by, and I for one expect that a far
    	greater percentage than 5% needs to go for the cause.  I remember
    	reading somewhere that, before donating towards any organization,
    	you should find out what % of donated dollars actually go towards
    	the benefit as marketed.
    
    
    	Has any one else received this mailing?  What is the consensus out
    	there about this approach to raise money for the protection of
        animals?
    
    
    Eleanor

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
603.1		MAGEE::MERRITT	Kitty City	`Tue Sep 14 1993 10:07`	11
	Hi, I did buy my X-mas cards from the Amercan Humane Assoc last year... and just received my new package this year. Of course I bought them without reading the entire package they provided....and I'm very disappointed in knowing only 5% goes to the cause!! (that's sad!) I'm going to go home and read before I react this year!! Sandy
603.2	I'll send a letter instead of an order....	STUDIO::COLAIANNI	I have PMS and a handgun ;-)	`Tue Sep 14 1993 11:05`	23
	I also received this package, and I am totally disappointed that they get these cards for free, yet only 5% goes to the cause? They list a LOT of causes in the letter too! These cards are not cheap to purchase either! They cost between 18.00 to 21.00 for a box of 25! I'd rather give 20.00 to my local shelter. I'm glad I read the letter though. The base noter beat me to asking the same questions. 8-) I think instead of buying the cards, I may instead write a letter asking why, if all this stuff is donated, does only 5% go to the cause? I have a feeling there are a lot of large paychecks going out, using the money of popele who 'think' they are helping animals, because they didn't read the whole letter. :-( It seems all too reminiscent of the United Way scandal a while back. Blah! I wonder if I'll get a response? I'll let you all know if I do. Maybe we all should write! FELINERs UNITE!!!! ;-) Sorry, I got carried away as usual! ;-) Love, Yonee
603.3		BREAK::GIOMBETTI		`Tue Sep 14 1993 11:26`	9
	Hi, I also received these samples from the American Humane Society. I was all set to send in my order until I just read your note stating only 5% was donated to the Humane Society. That's appalling... Disgusted, Joanne
603.4	Donate those dollars wisely for the animals.	WMGEN2::SULLIVAN_E		`Tue Sep 14 1993 11:34`	33
	Hi Sandy, I did get a response from someone who contacted me by phone with some good insight about non-profit organization fund raising appeals. Basically she said that it is important to be an educated consumer. If you are interested in donating (in whatever form - direct donation, thru promotions....like the cards, etc.), it is wise to call that organization or write a letter and find out more about that organi- zation. Then you can make an individual decision about whether or not you want to contribute. In the case of these Christmas cards, it may be that you want to buy the cards anyway, knowing that 5% of the sale goes directly to the animals. On the other hand, if you want more of your money to go to the animals and not the cards, then you probably should contribute directly to the organization and specify what you would like you money to go towards and buy your Christmas cards discounted elsewhere. I'm not sure yet what I am going to do about the cards, because my intent was to buy them for the benefit of the animals. I was very disappointed to read the brochure to find out only 5% would be apportioned. I also did not like the way that this information was "sandwiched" in the the rest of the letter. There is an 800 number which I am going to call to find out more about the American Humane Association and this particular fund raising effort. I'll post whatever I find out. I don't mean to discourage anyone from donating in this manner if they so desire. Eleanor (OPVAX)
603.5		JULIET::CORDES_JA	Four Tigers on my Couch	`Tue Sep 14 1993 11:48`	6
	I got a package like this last night. I was thinking about purchasing the cards since I found a couple of them to be really cute. I was still on the fence till I read this. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I'll be taking this information into consideration. Jan
603.6	If it looks good, read it all!!! ;-)	STUDIO::COLAIANNI	I have PMS and a handgun ;-)	`Tue Sep 14 1993 12:06`	26
	I think the part that irked me the most, was that they flaunted that they get the cards donated, and then made 5% sound like an enormous percentage to go to the cause! I don't normally spend 20.00 for 25 cards, but if I think the money is going toward something good, I tend to overlook the cost much more. The cards are cute though! :-( That makes it even worse! I send out MANY Christmas cards, and would go broke if I bought them all from this association, but would have been willing to get them to send to my FELINEr buddies, and folks from my shelters. Sigh, I guess I'll have to find another worthy (worthier?) cause to take all my money! ;-) I'm just glad I learned to read the WHOLE letter before buying. It takes some time, but if I think I may be interested, I read it, then decide. If the envelope looks like something I'm NOT interested in, it goes into file 19 without even being opened. Why tempt myself too much! ;-) Anything you find out about this group will be appreciated I'm sure. Love, Yonee
603.7	mmm	PARITY::DENISE	And may the traffic be with you	`Tue Sep 14 1993 19:10`	7
	I too, got this package and thought the cards were cute, but didn't see the part about the %5. that's all!!! yikes! If there is an 800 #, I think we all should call and find out, be realllllly interesting to see the various responses we'd get in finding out why it's only %5. I will plan on calling...... denise
603.8		POWDML::MANDILE	medium and messy	`Wed Sep 15 1993 07:21`	4
	Always thoroughly check out any request for $$$. Of course it's important to help out where you can, but there are a lot of "not too good" agencies out there........