18 Facts About Wayne Pacelle

Wayne Pacelle was born on August 4,1965 and is an American animal rights and animal welfare activist, non-profit businessperson and author.

Wayne Pacelle was the president and chief executive officer of the Humane Society of the United States.

Wayne Pacelle took office June 1,2004, after serving for nearly 10 years as the organization's chief lobbyist and spokesperson.

Wayne Pacelle was born in New Haven, Connecticut, of Greek and Italian descent.

Wayne Pacelle attended Notre Dame High School and graduated with degrees in history and environmental studies from Yale University.

Wayne Pacelle's activism led to his appointment in 1989, at age 23, as Executive Director of The Fund for Animals; an organization founded by Cleveland Amory.

Wayne Pacelle has been associated with 26 successful statewide ballot initiatives to protect animals, including measures to prohibit cockfighting and mourning dove hunting, restrict steel traps and certain poisons, and ban certain farming methods.

Wayne Pacelle has been vocal in criticizing individuals and groups who he says resort to intimidation, vandalism, or violence.

In late February 2008, Wayne Pacelle testified on the downer cow issue before a subcommittee of the Senate Agriculture Committee on a panel with USDA Secretary Edward Schafer.

Wayne Pacelle is a cofounder of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, a 501 social welfare organization that lobbies for animal welfare legislation and works to elect humane-minded candidates to public office.

Wayne Pacelle cofounded Humane USA, a nonpartisan political action committee that supports candidates of any political party based on their support for animal protection.

The HSUS experienced major growth since 2004, primarily as a result of corporate combinations Wayne Pacelle forged with The Fund for Animals in 2005 and the Doris Day Animal League in 2006.

Since leaving HSUS, Wayne Pacelle founded Animal Wellness Action, a 501 organization that does lobbying and political work, and Animal Wellness Action PAC, which does non-partisan giving to candidates who support animal welfare.

The HSUS has faced criticism from various groups during Wayne Pacelle's tenure, including the Center for Consumer Freedom, which receives money from the food industry, and Protect the Harvest, which is funded by oilman Forrest Lucas.

In 2018, Chronicle of Philanthropy reported that Wayne Pacelle was under investigation for a "sexual relationship with an employee".

Wayne Pacelle was formerly married to the American singer Kirsten Rosenberg.

Wayne Pacelle has been the subject of profiles by the New York Times Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Newsweek, and other major publications.

In 2008, Wayne Pacelle received a Special Achievement Award for Humanitarian Service from the National Italian American Foundation.