Most dog owners with an Instagram or Facebook have at least one picture of them with their canine friend, saying that they’re a member of the family or a loyal companion. If you get on Twitter, chances are that you’re going to retweet that gif of a kitten yawning. Whenever the Sarah McLachlan commercial about animal abuse comes on television, you suddenly feel heartbroken. But you change the channel, don’t you?
In sixteen states, it’s only considered a misdemeanor to abuse an animal. Approximately every eight seconds, an animal is attacked by a human. It’s no secret that we care about our animal friends, both domestic and otherwise, and we feel desolate when we’re reminded how poorly so many are treated. So why aren’t we doing something about it? April was animal cruelty prevention month, and it’s embarrassing how little was done for it across the nation. It doesn’t matter how you search animal cruelty prevention month, even with tacking on things like ‘celebrity influence’, ‘memorial’, or even ‘events’. It’s hard to find much of anything on the subject.
If we love animals so much, why do we ignore their suffering? It’s absolutely shameful to do nothing at all when there are so many things we could be doing. The month may be ending, but we should care about animals every day, and we certainly have some making up to do. So, here are three simple things you can do to show your compassion.
1. Ditch companies that test on animals. I hate to break it to you, but your L’Oreal, Revlon, and Mary Kay makeup products are tested on cute little bunnies trapped in cages for their entire lives. The same goes for your St. Ives lotion, Head & Shoulders shampoo, Old Spice cologne, Listerine, and many more common household products.
2. Drop by your local animal shelter. Volunteering at a shelter doesn’t have to mean cleaning cages and washing animals, although those things are appreciated. Even a mere hour of your time couldbe spent valuably by taking a puppy for a walk or brushing a cat’s fur. The shelter and animals are always wholeheartedly willing to accept anything you have to offer.
3. Spread the word. Maybe you feel that you don’t have time or cash to spare whatsoever. But you have influence with others who may, so reaching out on social media can make more of a difference than you think.
Make me proud, MHS students, teachers, and parents. Animals everywhere need your help, and passivity to abuse and neglect are truly harmful to their wellbeing. We can do better than this.