A campaign launched earlier this month with full-page advertisements in major newspapers is urging contributors to animal causes to give to local shelters rather than to the Humane Society of the United States, reports the Associated Press.

The national charity contends the campaign is spearheaded by public-relations executive and activist Richard Berman and supported by agribusiness interests that oppose the Humane Society’s investigations of conditions for farm animals.

Mr. Berman’s nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom operates HumaneWatch, a group that has targeted the Humane Society for criticism since early 2010. He said the Humane Society for Shelter Pets, the group publicly behind the ad campaign, is independent of his operation but that his PR firm has provided it with volunteer work and services.