Donald Trump’s rise has fueled support for Hillary Clinton from all kinds of sources: The Atlantic, which has only endorsed two other candidates in the past, Glamour magazine, an array of of traditionally conservative newspapers, not to mention the scores of Republican politicians. The latest unusual organization to say “I’m with Her” is the political arm of the Humane Society, an animal rights organization that hopes to convince pet owners of all stripes that a Trump presidency “would be a threat to animals everywhere.”
The endorsement by the Humane Society Legislative Fund, which was published on Oct. 5, and first noticed by The Hill, is written by Michael Markarian, the president of the group.
One ticket has a clear, compelling record of support for animal protection, while the other has assembled a team of advisors and financial supporters tied in with trophy hunting, puppy mills, factory farming, horse slaughter, and other abusive industries.
Markarian takes aim at Trump’s sons who have bragged in the past about their trophy hunting. He even compares them to the killer of Cecil the Lion, Walter Palmer. He criticizes people from Trump’s inner circle such as oil tycoon Forrest Lucas who has formed a Super PAC specifically to fight animal rights groups such as the Humane Society. Clinton gets lauded for her record as senator, which included co-sponsoring bills to crack down on puppy mills and horse slaughter, as well as her fight against wildlife trafficking while she was secretary of state, and the work of the Clinton Foundation.
For the Humane Society Legislative Fund, a big minus on Trump’s ledger is a lack of a proven track record as a pet owner:
While the Clintons have owned pets much of their adult lives, it appears that Donald Trump never has. If elected, Trump would be the first president since Harry Truman without a pet in the White House. It’s hardly unusual for pets in our lives to humanize us, and to bring into sharper focus the importance of national policies to help animals. The Clintons seem to have long felt the pull of animals, while the Trumps have not, with two Trump sons being better known for killing animals as a recreational pursuit. Donald Trump has even called for the Food and Drug Administration to stop regulating pet food—not long after thousands of dogs and cats were sickened or died from consuming contaminated pet food and treats.
The organization came out with an ad accompanying the endorsement: