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Whether it's a case of
neglect or a malicious act of cruelty, you can help protect animals.
Why should you care? Because it's the right thing to do. Because
cruelty to animals is illegal in all 50 states. And because people
who harm animals may also harm people. Stopping cruelty to animals
helps everyone.
What Can You Do?
1. Get help for the animal.
If you see someone hurting an animal or if you know of someone whose
animal looks sick, injured, or deprived of adequate food, water, or
shelter, get help. Call the police, your local animal shelter, or a
trusted adult. Do not try to help the animal yourself—that could put
you in danger.
2. Get the facts. Write
everything down. As a witness, you'll need to provide the date,
time, location, and any other details you can remember, including
descriptions of the animal, the type of cruelty, and the person who
may be responsible for it.
3. Get the word out. Educate
your friends, family, and teachers about animal cruelty and its
connection to human violence by sharing information and materials
from The Humane Society of the United States's First Strike™
campaign. For more information, call 1-888-213-0956, or write to us
at First Strike, The HSUS, 2100 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20037.
4. Be a role model. Let your
actions be a guide. Be kind to animals and let others know that
hurting animals is wrong. Speak up for animals and urge others to do
the same.
5. Be a responsible pet owner.
Don't let your cats and dogs roam. Cats are safest indoors.
When outdoors, dogs should be walked on a leash or supervised in a
fenced yard. It's up to you to keep your pets safe.
6. Keep a lookout. If you see
a stray or injured animal, contact your local animal care and
control agency or the police. Provide a description of the animal
and the location.
7. Make the 'Net work. If you
find an Internet site that promotes animal abuse, urge the service
provider that hosts the web site to remove it immediately. You can
find the address of the web site's provider at networksolutions.org.
8. Stop cruelty before it
begins. Teach elementary schoolchildren in your
community to be kind to animals via KIND News, a nine-times-a-year
newspaper published expressly for kids. The prize-winning
publication is produced by The National Association for Humane and
Environmental Education (NAHEE), the youth service division of The
HSUS. NAHEE also produces other publications and has programs like
Adopt-a-Classroom.
9. Start a club. Start an
animal protection club at your school. Visit the
HumaneTeen web site and click on "Start a Club" for tips
and activity suggestions.
10. Join the HumaneTeen Network.
The HumaneTeen Network is a free online service that provides
members with e-mail updates on the latest animal and environmental
issues. To join, visit their web site and click on "Join the
Network." For more information about animal cruelty, click on
"Understanding Animal Cruelty."
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