April is Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month.

Please join the ASPCA in publicizing this month. The ASPCA website ( http://www.aspca.org ) has several items of interest to both shelters and the general public.

Articles for the public on: cruelty laws,
reporting cruelty, dog fighting and general cruelty information.

For animal shelters: sample press releases and letters to the editor for local media.

For teachers and educators: sample letters to educators and kids, as well as what kids can do to stop animal cruelty. See link below for more information.

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=
crueltymonth

What would you do if you saw an animal - wild or domestic - being abused? To help get the word out about how people can better protect animals, the ASPCA is stepping up educational efforts this April -
also known as Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month. "It is unfortunate that many people who witness or hear about acts of animal cruelty are unaware that legal action can be taken to help stop the problem,"
says Dr. Larry Hawk, ASPCA President and CEO.

"Education and activism are the keys to solving this battle - and therefore we are urging all Americans to spend some time this month to educate themselves and others about existing animal cruelty laws in their state and support pending legislation."

The ASPCA offers the following advice to those who wish to make life more humane for animals:

If you witness or hear about animal cruelty taking place - examples of these horrendous acts include stories of neighborhood children torturing cats, blood sports such as cock fighting and dog fighting,
and companion animals being denied food, water and shelter - report it to your local humane organization or call your local police. Visit our website to find a humane law enforcement agency:
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=
lobby&AddInterest=1182

To find out what animal-friendly legislation is pending in your state - and what you can do about it - please check our online "Lobby for Animal Welfare" section:
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=
lobby&AddInterest=1182

Interested in taking a more active part in passing humane laws? You're invited to join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade; please e-mail government@aspca.org for more information.

Teach the children well - by making sure that schools in your town include humane education as part of the curriculum. Contact education@aspca.org or visit ASPCA Humane Education Online for classroom resources:
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Apr 1, 2002