Take Action
1. Speak for Animals
Animals can't speak up when they are being abused, so when you see something,
say something. If you witness an act of animal cruelty in your neighborhood,
contact the authorities immediately. Report the incident to your local police
department, animal control or humane society. Animal cruelty, neglect and abuse
are illegal in every state in the nation under the Animal Welfare Act.
2. Teach Children to Respect Animals
Help stop animal abuse by being a role model to your
children and showing them how to properly take care of and handle animals. To
reach even more kids, talk to your children's school or neighborhood community
center and see if you can arrange an assembly on responsible pet ownership.
Respecting animals needs to start young because acts of violence towards pets
can sometimes be an indicator of violence towards people later in life.
3. Vote!
Put politicians in office who support animal protection legislation. Check
out candidates' websites or call their headquarters and find out how they plan
to help stop animal abuse in your area. You can also write to your current
representatives and ask them to support laws that increase punishment for animal
abusers or increase the number animal control officers.
4. Say NO to Puppy Mills
Puppy mills are a horrible reality of the pet
industry. Help stop animal abuse by refusing to buy pets or supplies from any
store or website that sell animals. While you may think buying a puppy mill pet
is saving an animal, it is only encouraging these mills to stay in business by
keeping up the demand for their product. Only adopt from shelters or buy from
reputable breeders and tell your friends to do the same.
5. Volunteer or Donate
Prevent animal cruelty by volunteering your time and talents to a worthy
cause. Even a few hours a week holding and petting animals at a shelter
increases their chance of being adopted by making them more people friendly. If
you are a writer, offer to help write the newsletter or lend your design skills
to their website and advertisements. If you don't have the time to volunteer,
you can still make a difference by donating to an animal rights organization in
your community.
Animals can't speak up when they are being abused, so when you see something,
say something. If you witness an act of animal cruelty in your neighborhood,
contact the authorities immediately. Report the incident to your local police
department, animal control or humane society. Animal cruelty, neglect and abuse
are illegal in every state in the nation under the Animal Welfare Act.
2. Teach Children to Respect Animals
Help stop animal abuse by being a role model to your
children and showing them how to properly take care of and handle animals. To
reach even more kids, talk to your children's school or neighborhood community
center and see if you can arrange an assembly on responsible pet ownership.
Respecting animals needs to start young because acts of violence towards pets
can sometimes be an indicator of violence towards people later in life.
3. Vote!
Put politicians in office who support animal protection legislation. Check
out candidates' websites or call their headquarters and find out how they plan
to help stop animal abuse in your area. You can also write to your current
representatives and ask them to support laws that increase punishment for animal
abusers or increase the number animal control officers.
4. Say NO to Puppy Mills
Puppy mills are a horrible reality of the pet
industry. Help stop animal abuse by refusing to buy pets or supplies from any
store or website that sell animals. While you may think buying a puppy mill pet
is saving an animal, it is only encouraging these mills to stay in business by
keeping up the demand for their product. Only adopt from shelters or buy from
reputable breeders and tell your friends to do the same.
5. Volunteer or Donate
Prevent animal cruelty by volunteering your time and talents to a worthy
cause. Even a few hours a week holding and petting animals at a shelter
increases their chance of being adopted by making them more people friendly. If
you are a writer, offer to help write the newsletter or lend your design skills
to their website and advertisements. If you don't have the time to volunteer,
you can still make a difference by donating to an animal rights organization in
your community.