All of us can make a difference for animals in our everyday lives, whether it's byadopting a pet, choosingproducts not tested on animals, eating ahumane dietor engaging your community in animal protection issues. With so many widespread problems facing animals, it takes all of our collective efforts to confront these cruelties and change things for the better.
Here are 50ideas for ways you can help animals in your community and across the country. Please share this list with any of your friends and family members who are also interested in advocating for animal protection.
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1.Sign up for email alerts to get the latest news and quick, simple actions to help animals straight to your inbox.
2.Sign up to receivetext message alertsto do the same right from your cell phone.
3.Follow us on Facebook,Twitterand Instagram.
4. Shareour videosonyour website, blog or social networking page.
5.Subscribe toour blogfor the latest animal news.
6.Attend Animal Care Expo(location varies),Taking Action for Animalsin Washington, D.C., or one of our many otherevents.
Be an advocate and spread the word
7.Writeletters to the editoron our issues.
8. Urge family and friends to consider adopting from a shelter or rescue.
9.Post flyers in your neighborhood and local places of business.
10.Distributeflyersat events.
11.Encourage radio and television talk shows to discuss animal issues.
12.Sponsor a“Stop Puppy Mills” billboardin your community.
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13.Ask your local restaurants and grocery stores to switch tocage-free eggs and to protect seals byboycotting Canadian seafood.
14.Join us in applauding pet stores that have taken a stand against puppy mills—support the more than 1,000 stores that have joined ourPuppy-Friendly Pet Stores initiative. Encourage local stores that do sell puppies to stop.
15.Organize aWorld Spay Dayevent in your community.
16.Arrange coffee or lunch dates to introduceour fightsto people who care about animals.
17.Work to get your local universities or your child's schools to participate inMeatless Mondaysoradd vegetarian optionsto their menu.
18.Book and sponsorour subject matter expertsfor lectures at schools and universities—contact usif you're interested!
19.Sponsor a local classroom and recommend our Nose-to-Tail program for elementary students or a young animal lover you may know.
Raise funds for our work
20.See how you can raise funds for animals atMyHumane.
21.Make a special one-time gift or support all animals all year round with an automatic monthly gift.
22.Make amemorial giftin honor of a friend or animal companion or givegift membershipsto friends or family members.
23.Host a house party and have anexecutive or subject matter expertspeak to your guests.
24.Ensure the HSUS is eligible for giving programsat your workplaceand explorematching giftsfrom your employer.
25.Donate your used vehicleto benefit the HSUS.
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The HSUS
26.Include the HSUS as abeneficiary in your will.
27.Shop our Amazon storefront for branded apparel that lets you wear your support on your sleeve.
28.Purchasepet health insurance from Petplanand receive a 5% discount—and with each completed application, Petplan will make a $20 donation to our Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association's Rural Area Veterinary Services program. Use codeHSUS20.
29.Purchase or renew a subscription to All Animals magazine.
30. Orderpersonal checks and createcustom gifts from Zazzle.
31.Shop with our othercorporate supportersand help animals with every purchase—coffee, flowers, wine, jewelry, and more.
32.Check out what people are selling to benefit us when youshop on eBay.
What you can do on your own
Help animals in your everyday life
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33.Purchasecruelty-free cosmeticsand household products.
34.Participate inMeatless Mondays and find delicious plant-based recipesfor your next meal.
35.Adopt a pet from a local animal shelter or rescue group.
36.Support fur-free fashion by consulting the HSUS's humane shopping guide.
37.Encourage your office to implement dog-friendly policies. Our book, Dogs at Work: A Practical Guide to Creating Dog-Friendly Workplaces, provides step-by-step advice.
38.Turn your outdoor space into abackyard sanctuaryand find humane ways tocoexist with wildlife.
39.ID your animals and encourage others to do the same—and keep yourcats safe indoors.
40.Prepare a disaster planfor your animals.
41.Learn whatlegislation is now pending in Congress and how you can help.
Get involved in your community
42. Learn how to help outdoor cats in your neighborhood.
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43.Encourage your local officials tofind long-lasting, nonlethal solutions to conflictswith wildlife such as bats, coyotes, deer and more.
44.Provide for your animals’ futurein case you can’t care for them.
45.Participate inAnimal Rescue Team trainingand sign up to help animals in crisis.
46.Attend Humane Lobby Dayfor the opportunity to talk to state legislators about passing laws that protect animals.
47. Develop humane outreach programs in your community.
48.Determinewhich elected officials represent youat local, state, and federal levels. Attend lawmakers’ town meetingsto urge them to support our fights.
49.Work for the passage of local ordinances in your community, for example, to protect chained dogsor improve the lives ofdogs in puppy mills.
50.Volunteer!