Nevada’s Animal Shelters Are Being Ignored By National Charities
Are you ever up late at night watching commercial television? It seems that you’ll always catch at least one of those heart-wrenching animal cruelty commercials. With this in mind, a new report shows that very little of your donation filters down to the local level. In fact, Nevada’s animal shelters are being virtually ignored.
The Charitable Organizations That Collect Money For Animal Shelters
A new report conducted by the Center For Environment and Welfare reveals some disturbing details. Basically, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) are considered our nation’s top pet-care charities. These two organizations plead for donations with those tear-jerking commercials. Whenever I see one of those ads that show a mistreated animal, it really gets to me.
Certainly, I may be naïve, but I always assume that the money donated to these two organizations will trickle down to local animal shelters throughout the nation. After all, those TV ads claim that donations will go directly to help mistreated animals. But how much of that money actually makes it to the local level?
The Shocking Facts About Where Your Money Goes
In the case of The Humane Society and the ASPCA, not much. Only 1-2% of their huge budgets make it to local animal shelters. For example, according to this report, the HSUS had a 2021 operating budget of $138 million dollars. That year, they collected revenue of $260 million dollars. That’s a pretty good haul. However, only $1.6 million dollars made it to local shelters in the form of grants.
Furthermore, the numbers for the ASPCA don’t look much better. In 2021, they raked in $390 million dollars in donations. They spent $302 million of that cash. Unfortunately, only $5.5 million dollars trickled down to local animal shelters. That’s only 2% of the ASPCA’s budget that year.
So, where does all that money go? In reality, according to the Center For Environment and Welfare, a huge chunk goes to fundraising, advertising and self-promotion. That’s right, we’re talking about those heart-wrenching TV ads that make you feel guilty unless you donate. All those pleas for donations you get in the mail cost money too. Executive compensation also takes up a large portion of the annual budget. Additionally, a good deal of the cash is stashed in offshore accounts or targeted for investments.
How Much Of The Money Goes To Nevada’s Animal Shelters?
In short, none. Zero. Zip. Nada. Per this report, the HSUS granted money to shelters in only 18 of the 50 states. Nevada is one of the 32 states which did not receive a grant in 2021. Moreover, the ASPCA donated money to animal shelters in 29 states. Once again, Nevada was one of the 21 states which did not receive a grant that year.
If you’re as shocked as I am about these numbers, you’re not alone. The report goes on to say that 8 out of 10 Americans incorrectly believe that the HSUS and the ASPCA represent the thousands of local pet shelters across the nation. The simple fact is, they don’t.
If you’d like your donation to go directly to a local Nevada SPCA animal shelter, you can click here. If you’d like to support the Las Vegas Valley Humane Society, donate online by clicking here.
25 Pet Products Under $25 You Will Be Disappointed You Didn't Get Sooner
1) Foldable Dog Water Bottle – $9.99
Attention all dog walkers, travelers, hikers, etc. If you plan on taking your dog on long walks (especially during the summertime) then this product is going to make your pup so happy. This is a foldable water bottle that also acts as a small bowl for your dog to drink out of. Its small, compact size makes it ideal for people who go on walks or even for hikers who have lots of gear to pack.
2) Pet Canopy – $15.99
It can get really hot outside during the summer months, and our dogs probably feel the heat even more than we do. A pet canopy like this is a great place to provide shade for your pups. It’s also water-resistant so if you’re a camper and love talking your dog on camping trips with you this could be a great sleeping or napping spot for them. Keep in mind the medium size is the only size under $25.
3) Adult Dog Hip & Joint Pills – $16.79
Some larger dog breeds will start to get hip and joint issues the older they get. My dog Bailey is definitely already feeling some hip and joint discomfort so vitamins like these can help with that soreness and stiffness.
4) Cat Door Flap – $13.86 (Limited Time)
Do you have an outdoor cat that loves going in and out whenever they please? Save yourself the time of having to let them out with this door flap. It’s easy to install and is good for cats up to 12 pounds.
5) Fuzzy Donut Pet Bed – $24.99
These pet beds are not only adorable, but they’re also incredibly comfortable for your pet. So many of my pets love sleeping in that curled-up position, so I know they’d love this item. The round donut shape is said to help soothe anxiety and provide a cozy, claiming space for your pet to relax.
6) Pet Bed Warmer – $19.99
Some pets love being as warm as possible. I know that’s exactly why my cat loves to snuggle up at night. She’s absolutely trying to get as much warmth as possible. Just inset this pet bed warmer into their favorite bed and give them a comfortable, warmer spot to rest their little heads.
7) Cooling Mat – $10.99 (Limited Time)
On the flip side, if your pets are outside a lot a cooling mat like this one might come in handy. It’s a self-cooling mat that can be placed inside your pet’s kennel or even outside so they can relax in a cooler, shadier area instead of the hot sun.
8) Dog Grooming Kit Clippers – $20.99
It can be hard to get a groomer to see your dog sometimes. If you know how to groom your pet though this can be a good resource for you. This kit comes with different guards as well as scissors and other essentials to help you groom your pet.
9) Cat Harness – 16.98
Ever wanted to take your cat outside for a walk? This cat harness is the way to go. It comes in a couple of different colors too.
10) Rubber Ducky Dog Rain Poncho – $12.00
I know it may seem silly to some people, but tell me you haven’t wished your dog wouldn’t get that wet dog smell during a walk? This dog rain poncho is your solution to that problem. It comes in a few different sizes and colors.
11) Dog Booster Seats – $16.99
Car rides can be so fun for your pets, but it’s important to make sure they’re safe and protected. Booster seats like this are great for small to medium dogs. It helps protect them from flying forward in the car during any stops.
12) Cat Window Scratching Mount – $13.01
My cats love to scratch things up. And although they haven’t tried scratching the window, I’m always on the lookout for things to prevent that. This is easy to apply to any window, glass door, and most appliances. It’s also easily refillable, so when the cardboard is all torn up, you can swap it out for a new one.
13) Self-Warming Pet Hut – $24.95
Cats love to be warm little cuddle bugs. This pet hut is great for cats because it helps take their body heat and warms up the tiny dome to keep it all warm and cozy for them.
14) Mother’s Heartbeat Calming Toy – $19.75
If you have a puppy and you’re looking for a way to help calm your little one down, these mother’s heartbeat pillows could be a great option for you. It has a medium-sized dog’s average heart rate, but also comes in other size breeds.
15) Dog Food Puzzle – $15.99
Dog food puzzles are really great for helping dogs eat their food slower and helping promote brain activity. Dogs are really intelligent animals and food puzzles like this are one way to help boost your dog’s smarts!
16) Cat Calming Diffuser – $22.79
Some cats have a lot of anxiety. We have one in my house that is very anxious and we’ve actually seen a change when we’ve used this type of diffuser in the house.
17) Pet Water Fountain – $23.99 (Limited Time)
Okay, I scored one of these during last year’s Amazon Prime Day and my cat absolutely loves it. So much so that my parents bought one for their two cats. Even the dog loves it. Some animals really love running water and so a pet water fountain is a great solution for them.
18) Cat Hammock Perch – $22.99
Listen, cats loved laying in front of the windows. Whether it’s to sleep in the sun or watch the birds and other animals go by like the hunters they are, they love doing it. This cat hammock perch is a great gift idea for them. The hammock comes with suction cups that can hold up to 60 pounds.
19) Motion Activated Cat Laser Toy – $16.99
This is sure to keep your cats entertained for a while. It’s motion activated so once your cat goes by it will light up and start moving. It’s also rechargeable so you don’t have to deal with batteries.
20) AirTag Dog Collar Holders – $15.99
So many pet owners have Apple AirTags nowadays on their pets. It’s a really great solution for being able to locate them if they go missing. These are AirTag holders that work as dog collars. You can add them to any collar of your choice and add your Apple AirTag so you know exactly where your pets are wherever they go.
21) Dog Potty Doorbell – $19.99
This one may require a little bit of training, but it can certainly be worth it. If you’ve seen the dogs on TikTok that are learning how to speak via the buttons on the floor, this is very similar. This is a doggy doorbell made to let you know that your dog wants to go outside to use the bathroom. Definitely better than them barking at you to go outside.
Please note that items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time we published this list. Have an idea for a fun theme for a gift idea list you’d like us to create? Drop us a line at shopping@bbgi.com.
Larry Martino is the long-time afternoon drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of Larry Martino and not necessarily those of Beasley Media Group, LLC.
