By Chloe Jo on October 7, 2009

Super Simple Ways to Save the World and Help Animals

We hear it all the time, “Oh, I want to do more to help the animals, but I simply don’t have the time” or “I give a few hundred bucks a year to my favorite charity, but can’t commit to more.” What if I told you activism doesn’t have to be exclusively about offering clean water to children in Africa? What if we told you there are tangible and easy peasy ways to save the world? Though this list of ideas (below) is primarily animal focused, you could really use the sentiment to inspire any of your activism or promoting anything you care about; from children’s charities or cancer research fund raising to supporting your local church group.

Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace are gold for the animals. I’ve placed countless animals in loving homes by posting them on Facebook. Remember, sitting in shelters animals get virtually no exposure to the outside world. You may think you know that nobody in your network is looking to adopt, but one person re-posts, then the next re-posts, and next thing you know – a dog on the kill list just got seen by 10,000 people and rescued! Use your network for good, what else is the point? Mafia Wars? Seriously? Have your “top friends” be your favorite animal protection organization, become a “fan” of groups you love, add videos that have moved you, quotes, and links. Don’t be afraid to use your voice, if you don’t speak up for the fuzzy and incarcerated, who will? “Take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” – Elie Wiesel

Use your skill set to help. Are you a graphic designer? Design a flyer for an organization you love from the comfort of your laptop. Assess and then volunteer your skills. Do you do hair? Offer to free hair cuts once a month for shelter workers. Anything you can do can be directly put to use for the animals. My friend Alex owns a tattoo shop and he donates gift certificates to raffles for benefits. I donate listings on girliegirlarmy.com to bring attention to the plight of farm animals in factory farms. Every little bit helps!

Attend Parties. Yep, parties! Benefits are a great way to meet people you can take home to Mom. Not only will you meet the finest quality folk with huge hearts, your ticket price will go towards helping those in need. It’s a win-win!

Contact companies that conduct cruel experiments on animals. www.caringconsumer.com will give you that list. And (obviously) only buy natural, vegan, and animal-testing free products. You’ll not only be avoiding supporting companies that pump toxins into our environment and hurt animals, you’ll be avoiding nasty chemicals on your own epidermis.

Foster a cat or dog, or volunteer at your local shelter. A bit more work than sitting at the computer or partying, but by taking a dog from the local shelter for a run, you are getting them seen by hundreds of eyes on the street or in the park. I’ve seen it happen a million times; Random on the street: “Oh, your dog is SO cute.” My response: “Why thank you, but she isn’t my dog, she’s from the CACC and she’s desperate to be adopted.” Random: “Really? Let me call my Husband!” These pets are ten times more likely to get adopted if you simply get their shayna punims seen!

Do not buy an animal. Do adopt and foster. This may seem like a serious DUH to you.. but not everyone knows that over 800 cats and dogs get put down PER STATE in our country per day. Trust us, you can find any breed you like on www.petfinder.com (though our mutts are quite gorgeous) without directly supporting hideous breeding practices. You can also join our list to receive our adoption network updates, which is nationwide. Crazy Sexy Life’s newsletter also features animal adoptions every week.

Hold a screening. Tribe of Heart makes eye opening films on animal issues. And of course, Earthlings and Raw for 30 are both films that are must-sees for everyone. Invite friends over for cocktails n’ (vegan) cupcakes and watch a film together. Allow for open dialoguing after. I’ve seen many a heart be opened after seeing footage of what’s really going on in Factory Farms. If you are interested in hosting a larger film screening at your church, synagogue, work place, house, bar, or local knitting group – email beautiful, wonderful, articulate Marisa Miller from Kind Green Planet – she has a projector and will travel!

Put stickers on your bills. You can buy just about any kind here. Be a voice for the animals. Letters pass many hands before ending up on a desk. Let your platform be known, even via the mailman.

Buy and Eat Cruelty-Free. You already know this if you read Crazy Sexy Life, but it never hurts to remind you to buy and eat organic, local, and cruelty-free. “It’s too expensive” isn’t an excuse, we know plenty of folks on the poverty line who eat raw and vegan. Where there is a will, there is a way. Search recipe sites, support raw and vegan restaurants, and hit up your local health food store. It’s as easy as making the conscious choice to not support suffering. You’ve had your aha eating moment, help a friend have his or hers. Make animal-free food for friends and show them just how delish and gourmet vegan eating can be. And don’t think your fashion sense isn’t going to change too, Sister. From what you put in your tummy to what you wear on your body, you are making a statement on being intolerant to cruelty. Going entirely cruelty-free means eschewing wool, silk, leather, and fur. Thinks it’s hard to find eco fabulous stilettos that are made without the use of toxically treated, tortured animal skins? Girlll… you haven’t discovered my site yet. www.GirlieGirlArmy.com is a site devoted to keeping you looking glam without so much as hurting a fly. Remember; “All the arguments to prove human superiority cannot shatter this hard fact: in suffering, animals are our equals.”- Peter Singer

Become a member or volunteer at the non-profit that protects animals that speaks to you most. We love www.hsus.org, www.farmsanctuary.org, www.cok.net, www.woodstockfas.org, www.savethechimps.org, www.seashepherd.org, www.bestfriends.org, www.humaneusa.org, www.peta.org, www.aldf.org, www.humanemyth.com and www.pcrm.org. Join them all.

Whatever your cause, keep remembering why it is you care, and it will translate to direct action and results! Your voice MATTERS, it is strong, and it is fabulous.

If you liked this post, click LIKE below!

     
 

5 Comments