The reason that I started this blog was,
obviously because I care about animals and our planet/nature, but also because
I want to spread awareness to the regular Joes: Often times I have heard people
tell me that they love animals and nature, but feel like it’s an uphill battle,
like no matter what one does, animal cruelty and mistreatment of nature will
never be ceased. Others tell me that they simply do not have the time or energy
(after full time jobs, college classes, or raising a family) to be as involved
as they would like to be.
To be an activist, one doesn’t need
to put in 40 hours a week or go around throwing red paint to celebrities
dressed in fur coats (if that’s what you do, more power to you!), it only takes
simple acts, that when added up make a big difference.
There are many tips that I can give
those who want to help in simple steps; for example, when adding a pet to the
family, adopt from the local shelter as opposed to buying from a pet shop or
breeders. This is a way to combat the overpopulation of strays in the country.
If you are part of a local
organization, like church or volunteer groups, take one day a month to raise
funds for your local animal shelter. Some ways of doing this could be through
selling raffle tickets, having bake sales, or car washes. Parents can even make
this a family project and foster love of animals in their kids at a young age.
Shelters often run low on supplies,
so donating your old towels, blankets and sheets for the animals is useful.
Here is an example of Miami-Dade’s Animal Services wish list. Search online or
call your local shelter for their suggestions.
Donating to local shelters and
organizations like ASPCA, PETA, the Humane Society and others that fight animal cruelty is an important way of combating animal
abuse and takes less than five minutes.
Lastly, sometimes the best way to
help is to simply not get involved. This might seem contradictory, but if you
cannot take care of an animal or are not willing to keep them for the long run
(that means, past the adorable puppy and kitty stages), do NOT get one. Before
getting an animal check whether you can pay for his dietary, medical and living
expenses.
