I got a call the other day from a fellow who works for an activist organization seeking to end abuses of animal cruelty, and, in this case, stop the wolf slaughter in Alaska. I have signed petitions on line for several of these causes. He wanted me to join his group because influence is often in the number of members you have.

But what I have learned recently is that signing petitions and giving your information, and contributing, as I have done, and sending money to the Humane Society and getting on an orgnization’s membership list, that often means they will sell the list to similar causes, escalates the number of solicitations you will get. I receive two or three solicitations for funds daily, whether it’s in the regular mail, or on line, beseeching me to “take action.”

I can’t extend myself to the degree that these people want. I figure if I contribute once or twice a year, that should be the limit of what I am asked. Has anyone heard that the economy is down? How about the time it takes to deal with all these requests? I told the fellow that I was willing to sign petitions expressing my dismay at abuses, but that was as far as I was prepared to go. I made him believe me, finally, by gently saying goodbye (he wouldn’t stop) and hanging up.

The humane society and others also send “gifts” – key rings, tiny adding machine cards, return address labels – to shame you into contributing because you got “free stuff” and pictures of adorable kittens and puppies you are saving. They should put the money for these mailings into their programs.

I am as big a bleeding heart as anyone out there, but I am also anti-patsy.

xx, Teal