This week is Prevention of Animal Cruelty Week, but there are simple things you can do every week of the year to prevent cruelty. In just minutes, you can help save pets from abuse and make a difference in your community.
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 is illegal in every state in the nation under the Animal Welfare Act.
2. Teach children to respect animals
Be a role model to your children and show 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 that support animal protection legislation. Check out candidates’ websites or call their headquarters and find out how they plan to help protect pets 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. Refuse 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
Volunteer 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
Know any more great ways to help prevent animal cruelty? Send an email to comments@petside.com and let us know!
Want more ideas for helping pets? Check out our Tips & Treats section!
