Pilot backs away from $52k in donations to HSUS

Knoxville based Pilot Travel Centers, LLC is essentially apologizing for for more than $52,000 in employee and customers contributions to the Humane Society of the United States.

On Thursday, the Humane Society acknowledged support from the travel centers.

"We're giving a shout out to Pilot Travel Centers for standing up against animal cruelty and supporting us!" HSUS said on its Facebook Page. The post garnered 2,411 people who said they liked that message, and 106 comments.

Then Pilot started taking flak for the support on its Facebook page, with many of the comments arguing the group does not fight the for the interests of Tennessee families who work and depend on agriculture.

Friday, Pilot issued a statement regarding the relationship of the company with the animal rights organization.

"We sincerely regret any actions that led to the misperception of our support of this organization. Pilot Travel Centers is a strong supporter of agriculture interests in our home state of Tennessee and across the country," the statement said.

Also in that statement, the company said they gave the HSUS the money for three specific areas:

1.Rural Veterinary Care
2.Disaster Relief
3.A foreclosure fund to house animals impacted by the housing crisis.
The statement went on to say, "Since 2007, less than $52,000 in voluntary donations from customers and employees was collected in stores as part of an employee-driven charity event. The money went to three specific areas: rural animal veterinary care services, disaster relief and a foreclosure fund to help rescue animals left behind in homes during the foreclosure crisis."

"In order to avoid any further misunderstandings, employees will immediately cease collections of donations to HSUS. Pilot corporate has never matched a single dollar of these donations and will not support any organization that has an agenda that works against agriculture interests."

Pilot didn't have any comment beyond the statement released.

The Humane Society released a statement in response to the online fracas:

We thank employees and customers of Pilot Travel Centers for three years of loyal support for animals in need. We regret they are no longer being given the opportunity in stores to support our work to help animals abandoned in the foreclosure crisis, to help end pet overpopulation and aid animals in distress.
Source: WBIR news Knoxville