May 6-12 is Be Kind To Animals Week

[Guest guest]

" Shall we make a new rule of life from tonight: always to try to be a

little kinder than is necessary? " ~Sir James Matthew Barrie

 

~*~*~*May 6-12 Is " Be Kind To Animals Week " *~*~*~

 

Here are some things you can do in honor of " Be Kind To Animals Week "

and then continue to do in the future:

 

1. Bring your cats inside -- permanently! Indoor cats live longer,

healthier, safer lives.

 

2. Does your dog spend the majority of his/her time on a leash in the

backyard? Start to spend quality time with your dog on a daily basis and

give them a new " leash on life. " Remember not to leave dogs alone in a

car, especially during the hot summer months.

 

3. If your companion animal is not spayed or neutered, make an

appointment to have that done! Low-cost and free clinics are available

in almost every town.

 

4. Thinking about adding a new member to the family? Use this week to

research different types of companion animals to see which animal fits

best with your lifestyle. Then find a rescue or shelter and save a life!

 

5. Make a promise to not breed companion animals and devote your time,

energy, and money strictly to rescue. There are too many companion

animals dying in shelters and on the street. One life lost because there

wasn't an available home is one life too many.

 

6. Donate supplies to your local animal shelter or rescue. For ideas,

visit: Kindness In Action For Animals at:

http://www.theanimalspirit.com/kia.html

 

7. Dedicate an hour a week to hand out literature in front of your local

post office, library, or mall. Get permission first if you are going to

be standing on private property.

 

8. Go vegan! It is one of the most important things you can do to

prevent animal suffering and death.

 

9. Ask grocery stores to designate a cart for shoppers to use to donate

dog and cat food to the local animal shelter.

 

10. Stock your car with an animal rescue kit (nonperishable food for

hungry strays, bottled water, a cardboard cat carrier, a leash, towel, a

bandage to use as a muzzle and emergency phone numbers)

 

11. Send a monetary donation to a grassroots animal rights organization.

 

12. Are you aware of an animal abuse situation, but have not reported

it? Now is the time to do it.

 

13. Teach children to be kind to animals. Take your children on a nature

hike, or take them on a tour at a local animal shelter. Talk to your

child's teacher about introducing humane education into the classroom.

 

14. Are you aware of a feral cat colony? Contact a feral cat rescue

group for advice on how you can help. If you have been feeding a feral

cat colony, but have not had them spayed/neutered yet, now is the time.

 

15. Be alert when driving, especially near wildlife refuges and in rural

areas, to avoid hitting or running over wild creatures.

 

16. Pick up litter that could harm wildlife.

 

17. Is there a fur coat in your closet? Donate it to your local humane

society and make a

promise to not buy any products made with fur (or leather!).

 

18. Write a letter to your state government and demand stricter laws for

animal abusers. Demand that the animal protection laws already in place

are enforced.

 

19. Place a sticker on your window to alert firefighters that companion

animals are inside in the event of a fire or other emergency.

 

20. Do not use chemical-loaded pesticides on your lawn. Avoid harming

birds, squirrels, and other critters.

 

21. Visit the Animal Poison Control Center at:

http://www.napcc.aspca.org/ and learn how to protect your companion

animal.

 

22. Learn what companies test their products on nonhuman animals and

then do your best to avoid them! Write a letter to the company and let

them know that you are boycotting until they stop. For a list of

companies that test on animals, visit All For Animals at:

http://www.allforanimals.com/cruel1.htm

 

23. Have you provided a designated caregiver for your companion animal

in your will? It's not a pleasant thought, but many animals find

themselves in shelters or on the street after their caretaker passes

away. Make sure this doesn't happen to your companion animal!

 

24. Humans are animals too. Practice a random act of kindness.

 

 

(This list has a permanent home at:

http://www.theanimalspirit.com/kind.html)