Animal rights groups are in power struggles instead of handling the problems we've paid them $$ Billions to solve.   Here are the facts - reasons why we still see so few results. Checking some of the prominent news sites that tend to cover animal related issues, this is, unfortunately   not the exception.  Do you want your hard earned dollars to go to these groups so they can hire attorneys to battle with each other?  Things to think about.   We have the answers.  We know what to do.  So, why aren't we doing them?

FROM THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER.  January 27, 2004

Ingrid Newkirk and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have taken aim at the larger, well-heeled Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

The Fund for Animals wants a piece of the Audubon Society's hide.

Paul Watson of the lightly financed but virulently anti-hunting Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is on the Sierra Club's board of directors and plans a takeover attempt.

Wayne Pacelle jumped ship a while back, moving up from The Fund for Animals to the mighty HSUS. Now the executive vice-president of HSUS is caught in the middle.

PETA's Newkirk has chastised the HSUS for bedding down with Iams, a dog food company, to boost the HSUS's $116 million in assets. Iams is sponsoring Pet Fest America in six cities and HSUS is a happy partner.

PETA also took jabs at HSUS for joining Pet Fest America sponsors Veterinary Pet Insurance and PetSafe. It's bad enough that PetSafe makes pet containment systems and bark control collars that could stress out a pooch. Veterinary Pet Insurance CEO Jack Stephens is a big-game hunter.

PETA may be jealous of the $65 million that HSUS is given each year by millions of animal lovers. PETA's outrageous antics generate only a paltry $17 million. But both are in the business of animal rights.

The Fund for Animals, which reported $8.5 million in revenue last year, is trying to steal a little limelight by going after the venerable Audubon Society. They obviously didn't know that John J. Audubon, the group's founder, hunted many animals in order to illustrate them.

The Audubon Society recently opened a 285-acre piece of property it owns in Greenwich, Conn., to bowhunters. Too many deer is a common problem all over America and the Audubon Society should be praised for allowing hunters to help solve its problem.

The most amazing power grab is taking place in California. Watson, who relishes the title of captain and doesn't mind being called a pirate, is in the thick of a takeover of the 112-year-old, 750,000-member Sierra Club that has, most important, an annual budget of almost $100 million.

Watson, 53, was a founder of Greenpeace. He moved on to create the more radical Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which has a meager $1 million budget. Watson says his group has sunk 10 "illegal" commercial fishing boats around the globe.

Watson is not hiding an attempt to take over the Sierra Club, which has anglers and hunters as members, and push his animal-rights agenda. He claims he is only three votes shy of a majority on the 15-member board. A recent letter signed by 11 former Sierra Club presidents expressed concern over a takeover by Watson and a trio of confederates vehemently opposed to immigration and population growth.

It is quite noble to work for the welfare of animals and many do around northern Ohio. To send hard-earned dollars to pay for exorbitant salaries, addled wildlife schemes, naked protesters or a vitriolic campaign against fishing, hunting and the consumption of meat is proof Americans can be soft-hearted suckers.

PETA's latest comic book (see it at www.furisdead.com) for kids, "Your Mommy Kills Animals!" should be required reading for them.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

degan@plaind.com  216-999-6136