Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    	Generally SPCAs are privately funded. They often receive some
    money from municipalities for acting as dog catchers, and caring
    for strays that are picked up.
    	Out here (Colorado) they like to try to outlaw rodeo, and publish
    pamphlets that are not only misleading, but outright lies. I worked
    rodeo animals for a few years, and if there's such a thing as rein-
    carnation, I want to come back as a rodeo animal. There were very
    few injuries, they weren't often serious. The animals are well cared
    for, and work a couple of hours a year.
    
    	I suspect that the SPCA's crusade against hunting is probably
    equally ill informed, and stupid. The problem is that non-hunters
    and non-rodeo fans believe this junk. 
    
    	George
    

    The Springfield, Ma. MSPCA uses a questionaire that asks if the
    dog you wish t o adopt is going to be used for hunting. Guess what?
    Your Right!!!! You want to hunt? You can't have the dog. I believe
    this issue is still in the courts.
    
    			John
    

    Another one I didn't take great pleasure reading was that the "United
    Way" sponsors anti gun groups! So when the United way and MSPCA comes 
    looking for money I know what to tell them: "I do not like where your
    money is spent so save your breath."
    
	Rich

    
    
     I know here in Maine the Humane Society is funded by United Way.
    I don't know about SPCA but I'm going to find out. Not that I donate
    to UW (stopped after I found out that HS was anti-hunting several
    years ago), but it would be good info to have and pass on to any
    hunters who donate to UW. 
     I take that money and donate to Ducks Unlimited or something
    worthwhile that supports conservation and hunting/fishing.

    
    When I found out the United Way was against guns they lost my money
    ($104 yearly), and I too have found better ways to apply it.
    
                                                            GTP

    re: .2
    
    Does that mean that if no one else, other than a hunter, wants the
    dog that the MSPCA will destroy it after the 10 day? waiting
    period?????   Up until reading this note I had no idea that U.W.
    was cutting our throats with the money that we've (wife and I) been
    giving them.  Maybe I should just make contributions to the local
    soup kitchen!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    - Dave

 I have always found that my contributions were best spent by local 
organizations if for no other reason than they have less administrative expense.

 The  Doctah

    I've stopped contributing to MSPCA and others already, but I'm really
    shocked that the United way sponsors anti gun groups.  Rich, can you
    give us any more details and hard facts on this?  The reason I ask is
    I would like to take that to Digital and complain about the corporation
    doing their work to get contributions from us.  Afterall, they
    shouldn't be supporting an organization that doesn't "value MY
    differences"!!!!!
    
    Thanks,
    Mark
    

    I dont recall where I had read it, but it wasnt a long time ago. I'll
    see if I can dig up the source. Might try giving them "United way" a 
    call to see if they admit giving to the MSPCA, and gun control 
    orginisations. I'd be interested to know. Durcell also contributes to
    anti gun. We should start a file called Boycott and put all these
    bleeding harts in the file so we know who not to buy or contribute to/
    from. 
    
    Rich 

    re: .6
    
     Dave,
    It is my understanding that the animals are processed as normal.
    If someone comes in to adopt a dog and passes the questionaire test
    then they get the dog after paying a fee. If you fail the test because
    you are a hunter or some other reason, then the dog continues through
    the SPCA process. I think we all know what that means.
    
    					John

    I seem to remember that it was either in this notes file or FIREARMS,
    but someone had mentioned something about the United Way using some
    of their funds for lobbying for anti-hunting and also anti-gun
    legislation. Since I found that out, I have not contributed to the
    United Way. 
    							Bret

    
       There is a note discussing the United Way issue in the firearms
      conference.  You can get to firearms via BEING::FIREARMS and the
      note is #710.
    
       The first year I attempted to cancel they sent my form back and
      said I was to late in returning it.  Thats funny considering it
      was put in the box next to the cafateria with everyone elses.

       The second time around I returned it within seconds to insure
      there would not be a problem.  Again they returned it, but this
      time the said I'd have to get a form from my PSA in order to
      cancel any deductions.
    
       I think they play these games to keep people from canceling
      thier donations.  I bet you can send a card in 6 months late
      and as long as there is an increase they would proccess it.
    
       I did end up canceling.  I also kept coppies of the form with
      my reps signature on it just in case they had some other way
      of avoiding the issue.
    
 
      Steve 

     I called the local United ways in my area when I got home to see if 
    indeed they do support MSPCA and gun control groups. I was told by
    the Southbridge United way that they do not contribute to the MSPCA
    or gun control groups. When I called the Worcester United Way they 
    were very proud to tell me that they do contribute to the MSPCA. They
    even gave me last years $ amount ($75,849). I know you can specify
    which local you contribute to but I'll stick to a charity that suits
    my tast like Ducks Unlimited.

    Rich

    Although we may not agree with the political positions of the various
    state-level SPCAs, please remember that they DO provide a service
    to pet owners and animal lovers alike.
    
    Mark.

    	Mark, my experiences with SPCAs has been that they provide damned
    few services and at high prices. There are a number of other organ-
    izations that do it better and cheaper. SPCA has gotten big, and
    now often suffer from administrative obesity.
    
    	George
    
    P.S. If you'd like info about other groups, check CANINE::Canine