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 How You Can Help Animals
There are many things you can do to help protect animals and make a difference in the world.
The most important thing is get involved. Even if you've never volunteered or never written a letter concerning an issue you care about, step up and take a chance.
Cats and Dogs
Wild Animals
Farm Animals
Our charity wish list allows you to announce your event to friends and family and collect donations online.
Cats and Dogs
Spay or neuter your dog or cat, which stops them from having babies. There
are already millions of dogs and cats without homes. Why Spay or Neuter your pet?
Help out at your local shelter by walking the dogs and cleaning the cat cages.
Donate blankets, newspapers, cat litter, and old towels. Find
your local animal shelter.
Tell your parents if you see children or adults hurting an animal. What
to do if you see someone being cruel to an animal.
Offer
to help an elderly neighbor. Ask if you can help walk or brush their dog, change
kitty litter, and/or clean a bird cage. Find
out more things you can do.
Adopt cats and dogs from shelters instead of buying them from a pet shop. Many of
the puppies in pet shops come from puppy
mills. Shelters have many wonderful dogs and cats of different shapes and
sizes just waiting for a loving home. Visit
PetFinder for animals up for adoption.
Keep cats indoors. Indoor cats live longer, safer, healthier lives. As long
as they have fresh air, toys, and, when possible, other cats to play with, they
will be very happy. Read
about the dangers to outdoor cats.
Buy only products that have not been tested on dogs, cats, and many other
animals. Encourage your parents to buy "cruelty-free" toothpaste,
shampoo, and household cleaners. View
a list you can print and take to the store.
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Wild Animals
Create a backyard
wilderness. Let part of your backyard grow wild with weeds and brush and tall
grass. Animals love to hide and build houses in wild brush and grass. Create
a Nature Journal.
Plant a tree in your backyard with your parents. One tree can provide a home
for lots of animals like birds, raccoons, squirrels and bats. Get
help and information.
In recent centuries, hundreds of species have disappeared, almost always
as a result of human activities. Learn
more about endangered animals and what
you can do to help them.
Watch National Geographic videos, read zoology books, and visit local nature
centers instead of visiting zoos. Many zoo animals have been taken from their
homes in the wild to be placed in zoos. Read
why it is better to enjoy animals in their natural habitat.
Cut plastic
six-pack rings (like those for soda) before throwing them away (or recycling
them). These rings are commonly found around the necks of wildlife, from turtles
to waterfowl and can kill them.
Avoid circuses that have animals. In the wild, bears don’t ride bicycles,
tigers don’t jump through fiery hoops, and elephants don’t stand upright on
their hind legs. Read
more about circuses and the many animal-free
circuses you can go to.
Get help if you see a wild animal in trouble. Most young animals who look
abandoned have a parent nearby. If, after observing from a distance for several
hours you still don't see an adult, contact
a wildlife rehabilitator for assistance. If you see an injured animal, call
a wildlife rehabilitator or your local animal shelter. Don't attempt to touch
the animal yourself. Read
more.
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Farm Animals
Consider eating less meat. Encourage
your family to take the VegPledge, which is a fun way for you and your family
to eat less meat and more plant foods.
Visit a sanctuary for farm animals. If you want to rub a pig's belly, kiss
a cow, or hug a turkey, places like Farm
Sanctuary, Animal Place, and Pasado's
Safe Haven have rescued thousands of abused farm animals that you can visit.
Read
books and learn about farm animals.
Discover that farm animals are as smart and sensitive as dogs and cats. Read
some stories about how farm animals are clever, loving, and brave.
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