Whether it is man’s best friend or the cat that you must constantly win over, for many people pets offer a source of comfort and companionship. No other time is this more important than in times of crisis and uncertainty. During these particularly difficult times, pets keep us grounded and sometimes attend the many virtual meetings many are now having to participate in.
Started in 1915 by the American Humane Association (AHA), Be Kind to Animals Week is the United States’ oldest commemorative week and longest-running humane education campaign. Every year, events across the nation bring recognition to our faithful companions and exalt the importance of adopting shelter animals. These constant and faithful companions deserve to be celebrated and for over 100 years a special week dedicated to our furry, feathered and finned friends has occurred every spring.
This year the American Humane Association (AHA) is again taking the week to celebrate a century of rescuing and advocating for animals, and they’re inviting all of us to join them. The real goal, though, is to get people practicing kindness to animals every day, rather than just one week a year.
The AHA has four suggestions for “how to be kind” to animals this week, and their suggestions can easily be extended year- round. These suggestions, from their “Kindness 100 Pledge,” are:
1) Adopt pets from shelters to help improve the lives of the millions of animals abandoned and taken to animal shelters every year.
2) Buy foods that have the American Humane Certified seal to ensure that our farm animals are humanely raised and kept.
3) Look for the “No Animals Were Harmed” end credit in films and television.
4) Visit accredited zoos, aquariums and conservation centers, like the Audubon facilities, to increase understanding and empathy for wild (especially endangered) animals.
Of course, there’s much more that anyone can do to participate in the week’s celebrations. A very obvious way to incorporate the week’s spirit into our lives is to be responsible pet owners and keep our own pets healthy, safe and happy! Another way to be kind to animals is to report and speak out against animal cruelty, neglect, and abuse when you see it. It doesn’t stop there, though. In addition to kindness to our companion animals, wildlife can also benefit from humane practices. For example, rather than leaving poison for rats or other rodents, humanely trapping and relocating the animals keeps poisons away from your pets, children, and more desirable wildlife and birds.
Another relatively obvious way to practice the spirit of this week year-round is to give aid to animals in need. See a dog running down the street without a person? It definitely helps the dog if you stop and try to help! Have a stray cat around your house that looks like it hasn’t eaten in a while or might have gotten lost? Leaving some food for the kitty or trapping it could save its life. When you find a stray, you can bring it to the nearest veterinary office or animal shelter to see if it’s been microchipped or reported as lost. If so, the pet’s owners can be contacted. If not, the pet can be surrendered to the shelter in hopes of being reclaimed by his owners or adopted into a new family. While some people do end up keeping unclaimed strays, you’re under no obligation to do so. The act of helping stray dogs and cats off the streets and into a safe environment is, alone, a big step.
Of course, animal-related charities and non-profits are always accepting donations, volunteer help and more! What better way to keep the spirit of Be Kind to Animals Week going year-round? For more ideas on how to Be Kind, take the Kindness Pledge, and help educate others on the Value of Kindness, visit the American Humane Be Kind website.
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