The money was invariably returned, as neither Abel nor Henry wished to be charged with mail fraud by accepting donations for a bogus charity. SINA actually acquired ardent supporters, some of whom attempted to contribute a great deal of money to the organization. Some letters were from people looking to subscribe to SINA's occasional newsletter others were from potential newsletter contributors, as the organization also sponsored mail-in essay-writing contests such as "Why I Choose To Be A Decent Person." SINA also (falsely) claimed to have branch offices in London, Chicago, St. There was no membership fee to join SINA, as the official society policy for membership stated that "you must only demonstrate a desire to be decent by clothing your animals, and in some instances those of your neighbors." Headquarters were at 507 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York, a real address which Abel used to receive SINA mail.
Press releases and media appearances continued for the next few years, until the hoax was finally revealed in late 1962. Clifford Prout on NBC's Today Show on May 27, 1959. The group received widespread American media coverage, beginning with an appearance by G. An alleged debate within SINA was how large an animal had to be to require clothing the official position quoted by Prout was "any dog, cat, horse or cow that stands higher than 4 inches or longer than 6 inches." Slogans such as "Decency today means morality tomorrow" and "A nude horse is a rude horse" were offered. Clifford Prout, Sr., and was being carried on by his son. The group had been founded some years before by G. Over time, the history of SINA and some of its specific aims were codified into a coherent (if unlikely) backstory. Abel (seen far less frequently) played the group's executive vice-president Bruce Spencer. During the interviews, Prout was often presented as an amusing eccentric, but was otherwise taken seriously by the broadcasters who interviewed him. Henry, who had improv training, was able to play Prout with an intense deadpan sincerity, as well as to stay in character through unscripted interviews. television news and talk show appearances.
Looking to expand the range and impact of the hoax, Abel persuaded the actor Buck Henry to assume the role of the group president, G.
Abel then transformed his story into a series of press releases from the organization that garnered media attention. In 1959, Alan Abel wrote a satirical story about an imaginary organization for The Saturday Evening Post but the editors rejected it.