| It is a dream of many animal lovers to do | | | | feeding, grooming etc, but also exciting and fun |
| something dramatic like start an animal sanctuary, | | | | dog walks on the beach or in the forest. Living |
| or stop the whole world eating meat (I wish), but | | | | with animals is not just a matter of caring for |
| sometimes it is the small things that count. Here | | | | their basic needs (although you must do that too), |
| are 10 things you can do right away to help | | | | but giving them the best quality of life possible. |
| animals and make a difference. | | | | Give them as much one on one play time and |
| 1. Go Vegan - Choosing a vegan diet is the | | | | cuddle time as possible. If you haven't yet had |
| ultimate form of activism. You are leading by | | | | your pet neutered, book in the appointment |
| example and sending a clear message that you | | | | straight away. |
| will not stand for animal cruelty (not to mention | | | | 6. Join/Start a Local Animal Rights Group - Do |
| environmental destruction). Not only will you help | | | | some research to find out whether there is a |
| animals by not contributing to their abuse, but you | | | | local animal rights group in your area. If you can't |
| will become healthier and have a clear conscience. | | | | find anything take steps to start your own group. |
| That's a great start if ever I've heard of one. You | | | | 7. Online Activism - If you are active in any online |
| don't have to live a life of denial to be a vegan. | | | | social groups like Facebook, MySpace or Twitter, |
| There is an amazing array of vegan food and if | | | | add links to animal rights organizations in your |
| you cook you can create beautiful dishes that will | | | | profile. You can also add links in your email |
| wow your family and friends. You can make | | | | signature. You can also join animal rights online |
| vegan versions of most meat dishes with a little | | | | groups on Facebook where you can meet |
| thought and creativity. Go on, give it a try. | | | | like-minded people and share ideas. This is also a |
| 2. Volunteer - If you love animals and want to | | | | great way to spread the message to your online |
| help in a hands on way, look up some local animal | | | | friends who don't know much about animal rights. |
| shelters in the Yellow Pages/online and give them | | | | 8. Go Shopping - We all love an excuse to shop |
| a call to see whether you can volunteer. | | | | and this is the perfect opportunity. Invest in some |
| Volunteering with animals, or even in the office of | | | | T shirts, buttons, stickers, bags or other |
| an animal rights organization is an incredibly | | | | accessories that have an anti-cruelty message. |
| rewarding experience and a great help. | | | | These are available from many charities and online |
| 3. Leafleting - Contact your local animals rights | | | | retailers. |
| organization or go online to sites like PETA or | | | | 9. Help Wildlife - Let's not forget our wild |
| Animals Australia and order some leaflets on an | | | | Neighbours. If you have a garden buy/make a |
| animal rights issue you care about. If you have a | | | | bird table and hang bird feeders. This is especially |
| decent printer, you can download literature | | | | important in the cold Winter months. Not only will |
| straight away. Once your leaflets arrive you can | | | | you be helping wildlife, you can also get the |
| walk around your local area and post them in | | | | fantastic opportunity to watch your local wildlife |
| letter boxes. You could also leaflet in public areas | | | | from the comfort of your own home. You can |
| like shopping centres or universities. College | | | | also plant native flowers and plants to attract |
| students are often very open to change. | | | | butterflies and insects. If you have some spare |
| 4. Write a Letter - I set myself a new year's | | | | time and really want to help out you can join a |
| resolution this year to write at least 1 letter a | | | | wildlife rescue group such as WIRES here in |
| week regarding an animal rights issue (goodness | | | | Australia. Becoming a wildlife carer could be |
| know there are enough issues to choose from). | | | | incredibly rewarding. |
| You can write to the editor of a local paper | | | | 10. Boycott Companies that Test on Animals - |
| regarding a local issue (such as the circus or rodeo | | | | Many cosmetics and household products are |
| coming to town), or write directly to a company | | | | cruelly tested on animals. Luckily there are some |
| that tests on animals urging them to rethink the | | | | great animal friendly alternatives. Make sure you |
| cruelty they inflict. Getting the word out about | | | | write a letter to the companies you are |
| animal rights can really make a difference and it is | | | | boycotting to let them know why and to urge |
| something you can do right now. | | | | them to change. You can also spread the word to |
| 5. Spend Time With Your Pets - For those of you | | | | family and friends to try and get them to join |
| who have pets it is important to make time for | | | | you. |
| them every day. Not only for the basics like | | | | |