“Be Kind to Animals” Week is a great opportunity to get the word out about the animals we share God’s creation with and to champion their rights. Here are some fun and simple ways to cultivate compassion for animals this week and throughout the year:
1. Get informed. Read Peter Singer’s Animal Liberation Now (an updated edition of his seminal Animal Liberation) to deepen your understanding of the philosophy behind the animal rights movement. You can even help inform others by donating a copy to your local library. And be sure to sign up for PETA e-mails to get the latest animal rights news.
2. Go cruelty-free. Look at the labels on household cleaners, personal-care products, and cosmetics in your home and replace those that have been tested on animals with compassionate alternatives. PETA’s Global Beauty Without Bunnies database makes finding animal-friendly products a breeze.
3. Volunteer. Check with your local animal shelter or sanctuary for volunteer opportunities. Do you have an elderly neighbor who has difficulty walking their dog every day? You can offer to walk the dog for them or even arrange a rotation list of trustworthy people in your neighborhood to help ensure that your canine friend gets proper exercise.
4. Share vegan treats. Who doesn’t love free, delicious food? Whip up a batch of yummy vegan chocolate chip cookies for the office or Bible study, or host a cozy vegan dinner for friends. Be sure to tell your guests about “Be Kind to Animals” Week and how eating vegan is the most effective and compassionate way to help animals.
5. Get the word out. Speaking up for animals can be as easy as leaving pamphlets at a coffee shop! Join our Action Team to get a free activist starter kit full of eye-catching material to leave around town and receive e-mail updates on events and demonstrations being held in your area. And you’ll find plenty of essential leaflets, stickers, and more on PETA’s literature website.
6. Adopt—don’t shop. You can give an animal in a shelter a second chance at a happy life by welcoming them into yours. If you have the necessary time, patience, financial stability, and dedication, consider adopting an animal this “Be Kind to Animals” Week. If you’re a match, you could adopt the animal who has been at the shelter the longest, or, if you’re willing to take on extra responsibilities, one with special needs, as these animals typically have a more difficult time finding a home. Remember: Always adopt. Never buy an animal from a breeder or pet store, which robs an animal in a shelter of a chance to find a loving home and contributes to the companion animal overpopulation crisis.
7. Donate. Check with your local open-admission animal shelter to see what items they need, such as food, toys, or bedding. You can also make a generous donation to PETA in support of our work to make the world a better place for everyone: donate now.
