My guest on "Talking Animals" Sept. 9 will be WAYNE PACELLE, the president & CEO of the Humane Society of The United States, the nation's largest animal protection organization, with more than 10.5 million members and constitutents, annual revenue of $120 million, and assets of more than $200 million.

Since becoming HSUS' top dog five years ago, Pacelle has guided the organization in powerful, notable ways: For one thing, he's largely responsible for those numbers.

He practically doubled the budget, merged the HSUS with a number of smaller animal welfare groups (with an eye toward ones with particularly bright, gifted leaders) and--befitting his experience as HSUS chief lobbyist for 10 years before becoming CEO-- placed a premium on affecting seismic change through legislation, including spearheading the 2008 passage of the landmark farm animal measure Proposition 2 in California.

He's also been in the news lately--and at the center of an emotionally-charged debate--for his decision to have HSUS team with Michael Vick, post-prison, to conduct educational efforts about dog fighting.