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Letter: Humane Society is being misrepresented

Shelter dog Austin looks out from his pen Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, at the Cache Humane Society in Logan, Utah. Austin is one of seven dogs taken in from Houston-area shelters to help make room for dogs displaced by Hurricane Harvey. ( Sarah Welliver /Standard-Examiner via AP)

Another day, another distortion from Will Coggin of the Center for Consumer Freedom. In his latest attack on the Humane Society of the United States (Letters, Feb. 8), Coggin misrepresents our mission and ignores how we supplement the vital role of local animal shelters and rescue groups nationwide.

As the nation’s most effective animal protection organization, the HSUS works to help all animals, pets, wildlife and farm animals. Rather than duplicate the efforts of our local counterparts, we support them by advocating for tougher animal protection laws. We have trained thousands of law enforcement professionals, providing education to help them root out cruelty and so much more.

Above all, HSUS is committed to constant self-improvement. As we move forward for our employees and our mission, we are continuing to review and strengthen existing policies, and focus on working tirelessly to ensure a safe and supportive workplace for everyone. As acting president and CEO Kitty Block has affirmed, the compassion we seek in the world is our foundation.

Having worked with animal shelters and rescues for more than 10 years, I know firsthand that national and local organizations provide different but critical services. It’s important to support both.

Sarah Barnett, Public Affairs Adviser, The Humane Society of the United States, Washington, D.C.