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Readers of this blog may be familiar with recent efforts from The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to confront the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF), an industry-backed front group that targets animal advocates and misinforms the public about a wide range of consumer issues. While CCF, its people, and its actions are certainly deplorable, it's worth asking whether or not a public response is the best option for HSUS or any other animal advocacy group being publicly attacked. In this post we provide a point/counterpoint on HSUS's "counterpunch," and we invite readers to weigh in with your own thoughts.

Max Planck, the German physicist and Nobel Prize winner once remarked, "a new (scientific) truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it." This may seem like a cynical point of view, but Planck understood that truth is neither self-evident nor easily accepted; it requires time to erode strongly held falsehoods and persuade people to accept new concepts.

Our goal with HumaneSpot.org is to help animal and environmental advocates be more effective by empowering them with informative research. During the two and a half years since we launched HumaneSpot.org, I'm pleased to say our user base has grown significantly and we consistently receive positive feedback. To help advocates get even more from using HumaneSpot.org, here are a few essential tips and resources...

HRC recently announced our latest collaborative research study designed to measure the progress of the U.S. animal advocacy movement. Supported by both organizational sponsors and contributions from individuals, the new study is a truly collaborative project designed to inexpensively gather reliable data. The new study will be on ongoing resource showing the status of animal protection in the U.S. according to a set of "key indicators." To learn more, please read our email to HRC's supporters...

The financial assets of U.S. foundations declined by an average of about 26% in 2008, which is said to be the biggest drop in recorded history. A fourth of donors have reduced the amounts that they give to charity as a result of the economy. The current financial situation is a difficult one for everyone, especially nonprofit organizations that often run on shoestring budgets. This post shares a few words from the experts and ideas for staying afloat and effective during these tough economic times.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) was founded in 1980 and has since become the most recognizable animal protection group in the world. They deserve a lot of credit for almost single-handedly putting animal rights issues on the radar of the U.S. public. As concern for animals becomes more mainstream, however, much of PETA's public education work seems outdated and potentially even counterproductive. Has PETA outlived its usefulness and/or has its approach to generating media tarnished the image of its fellow animal advocates? Whatever the answer, it's a question worth asking.