How do I adopt a Dog or Cat?
I’m glad you’re asking! There are so many benefits to adopting a dog or cat over buying your furry companion. First, adoption saves lives. Did you know that around 670,000 dogs are euthanized in shelters in the US each year? Yep! That is over half a million dogs that didn’t get a second chance, but you and your family can change that if you’re looking at add another member to your family when you decide on adopting a dog or cat, you’re not only getting a new best friend, but you’re also giving an unfortunate dog or cat a new chance at life and a loving family to call their own.
Now its time to find your new love! You’ll want to research shelters or find a dog or cat match on a site like Petfinder. https://www.petfinder.com
Sites like Petfinder are sites that match you with a dog or cat that fits your family and life. Once you fill out what you are looking for, the site will find matches in your area at shelters and rescue organizations. I found my adopted dog, Amelia using Petfinder!! She is the love of my life, and I could not be happier!
Most shelters have the same rules when it comes to the adoption process, and it looks like this:
- Submit an application for adoption
- Go through an interview with one of the shelters counselors and meet rescue dogs
- If you pass the interview and the dog or cat you choose is right for your family, you might need to pay a small adoption fee before bringing them home
https://www.rescuedogs101.com/four-quick-tips-how-adopt-dog/
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/adopting-animal-shelter-or-rescue-group
What do I do if I see a stray dog or cat roaming the streets?
If you see a dog or cat outside scared and homeless or lost, help them find their home or get them to a shelter so that they can have a home. You can be their savior!
There are a few steps:
- Capture and contain with care. After you have made sure that the area is safe or you to be in, capture and contain slowly and gently. Talk to the animal quietly and calmly. Ideally dogs should be secured using a leash.
- If you cannot safely approach the animal, call your local animal control, or police department immediately.
- Check for ID, if they have one, call the owner immediately
- If the animal is not wearing an ID tag, take the pet to a nearby shelter to get scanned for a microchip.
- Take pets with no id to an animal shelter, that’s their best chance of being reunited with their owner.
Want more info!? click on the links below!
https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/if-you-find-a-lost-pet/
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-help-stray-pet
https://www.petfinder.com/animal-shelters-and-rescues/search/
How do I organize a beach clean-up?
Some easy steps to organize a beach clean-up! You can start a group at your school or go out with your family and friends! Or have a beach clean-up party! I did, they are awesome, and everyone has a great time and feels good because they are changing the world for the better.
- Identify a clean-up site – choose a safe place that is need of some TLC
- Choose a site coordinator – that might be you!
- Visit the site in advance – so you can determine where volunteers can meet and where to throw the trash
- Gather supplies – You’ll need supplies like trash bags, gloves, wipes, water, sunscreen and a first aid kit
- Plan how to handle the recyclables – Reach out to recyclers in your area to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
- Get more volunteers to help! – Recruit friends, family, and neighbors!
- Stay safe – make sure you and your fellow volunteers always drink water and wear reef safe sunscreen.
- Take photos! – spread the word and inspire others to do the same!
Want more info!? click on the links below!
https://www.4ocean.com/blogs/blog/how-to-organize-a-community-beach-cleanup
https://www.neefusa.org/nature/land/tips-organizing-beach-clean
https://www.ecoparent.ca/eco-parenting/how-host-kids-beach-clean-party
What do I do if I see animal abuse?
Animals rely on us to protect them! Don’t look away! Report! If you witness suspected cruelty to animals, call your local animal control agency as soon as possible or call 911 if you’re unfamiliar with local organizations. If you report alleged animal cruelty, the responding agency is required to investigate. Animals need us to be their voices, it’s important not to turn away.
There are different types of animal cruelty. One of the main acts of animal cruelty is Neglect, or failure to provide basic needs for an animal. Neglect includes, pets left in cars, lack of shelter or veterinary care, tethering and abandonment, hording, as well as other forms of abuse. Don’t be afraid to contact your local authorities!
There is also Direct abuse, it is incredibly upsetting to see anyone beating an animal, but again, don’t look away, report! It’s very important to involve law enforcement quickly, as there is a direct link between violence towards animals and violence towards humans!
Want more info!? click on the links below!
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/report-animal-cruelty
https://www.humanesociety.org/webforms/contact-animal-rescue-team
How can I tell if a product is cruelty free?
Cruelty free products are products developed without testing on animals. We love animals so much why buy products that cause so much suffering to the animal when there are alternatives for everything these days!
If you want to ensure that you are buying cruelty free there are a couple symbols you can look out for on the packaging. The two most common are the leaping bunny symbol and the PETA cruelty free logo. Sometimes companies put the words cruelty free or say that there was no animal testing on the packaging. If you are ever unsure simply google if the product is cruelty free while shopping and you il get your answer.
Want more info!? click on the links below!
https://www.lemonade.com/pet/explained/cruelty-free-shopping-guide/
What do I do I if find a wild animal hurt or not moving on the side of the road?
You really can make a difference as to whether an animal hurt on the side of the road will survive! Don’t look away, lets help them!
Here are a few Dos and Don’ts:
First! Do find a safe place for you to pull over and asses the situation.
Do take a moment to figure out if the animal is alive, and if so, remember humans can be scary to wild animals. To keep them less scared and calmer, try and keep them in a quiet and dark place.
Don’t hold the animal or give the animal food or water. Especially remember not to touch a wild animal near their head, wild animals and furry animals could bite to protect themselves, especially when injured and afraid.
Do figure out where you are so you can let authorities know where to find you or where to re-release the animal once he or she has been rehabilitated back to health.
Do call for help! Once you are sure the animal needs assistance (you see blood, broken bones, or dead parent nearby) contact your local wildlife rehabilitation center, animal shelter, humane society, or veterinarian. If you don’t have aces to any of these phone numbers, call 911.
Do get the animal to help as quickly as possible. If the animal is injured, they are likely stressed and in pain. The faster you can get them to the experts, the more likely they will survive.
Want more info!? click on the links below!
http://www.wildthingssanctuary.org/what-to-do-if-you-find-an-injured-animal.html
https://www.treehugger.com/what-do-if-you-find-hurt-or-abandoned-wildlife-4868421
What do I do if I see a marine mammal hurt or stranded on the shore?
You’re at the beach having a great time and you see a marine animal lying on the shore hurt, I know you want to help! Because you all love animals but it’s very important to not disturb, move, or feed a marine mammal.
Reporting marine mammal strandings as soon as possible is the most important thing you can do to help. Call a marine animal reporting hotline, a marine animal rehabilitation center or if you do not have access to these numbers call 911.
How do you report a stranding? First determine if the animal is truly stranded. Seals and sea lions like to rest on shore, but if a seal or sea lion does not move for up to 24hours they are in destress. So, report if a seal or sea lion is on the shore for more than 24 hours. Report if there is a live whale or dolphin on the beach. Report if any marine animal is entangled in fishing gear or if they are obviously sick or injured.
Want more info!? click on the links below!
https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/report-an-animal/california
https://www.maine.gov/dep/waste/residuals/documents/marine-mammal-fact-sheet.pdf
How can I help ALL animals in general
Yes! Of course we want to help save animals. The best and easiest way to help all animals all over the world and their environment; no matter where you live is to EAT LESS MEAT! Eating meat is the number one cause of pollution on our planet. Eating meat is the number one cause of land destruction in the world. Eating meat causes animals’ pain and suffering. Try Meatless Mondays!
Want more info!? click on the links below!
https://www.mondaycampaigns.org/meatless-monday
https://www.ecoandbeyond.co/articles/5-tips-help-eat-less-meat/