New Year's Resolutions to Help Animals
From HSUS
What's that you say? This year, you're really going to lose those
extra pounds, stick with a regular fitness plan, and balance your
checkbook. You're finally going to stop criticizing your spouse, and
pay off that credit card debt. The start of a new year—its promise of
new beginnings—fills us with aspirations and hope. It's a fresh
opportunity to remake ourselves into better people, a shot at a real-
life makeover.
All too often, however, New Year's resolutions can fall into the
superficial category. While there's something to be said for looking
good, feeling good has its merits, too. And there's no question that
you'll feel better if you adopt a few resolutions that will help
animals in 2005—and beyond.
So we've put together some New Year's resolutions for you to
consider. By adding just a few of these to your list, you'll be
helping to create a more humane world.
Bring your pet inside. If you leave your dog or cat outside all the
time, make a change for the better: Bring your pet indoors. Free-
roaming cats are at risk of contracting feline leukemia, injuring or
being injured by wildlife, and being hit by cars. Dogs who spend
their lives chained outdoors can be victims of bad weather and bad
people; the isolated pooches can develop behavioral problems like
incessant barking. Take the high road this year and work out a way
for your pets to stay safely inside your home.
Keep toxic chemicals off your lawn. If the pursuit of an inviting
yard is leading you to use dangerous chemicals on your property,
rethink the practice and make your immediate environment safer for
neighborhood pets and wildlife alike. Strong herbicides and
pesticides may be deadly to wildlife and pets, and commercial
fertilizers can migrate into streams and ponds and endanger aquatic
life. Instead of trying for that perfect, emerald lawn, go "green" in
another way by choosing organic, environmentally responsible
products, and minimize the threats to your hard work by gardening
with wildlife in mind.
Keep toxic chemicals off your face. You've probably heard about using
BOTOX® as a temporary wrinkle-reducer. But you may not know that
every batch of Botox produced is tested on animals. What's more, the
test used to estimate the drug's potency—the LD50, or "Lethal Dose
50"—results in paralysis and death by asphyxiation for an undisclosed
number of animals. If you were planning to have a Botox treatment in
2005, find an alternative that isn't tested on animals. Knowing that
you didn't contribute to cruelty will make you beautiful!
Take meat off the menu. Not everyone can be a full-time vegetarian,
but even reducing the amount of meat you eat will help animals who
suffer on factory farms. Given the many humane alternatives to meat
and dairy products now on the market, finding a few favorite
substitutes for animal products is easy. When you do choose to eat
meat, buy animal products labeled organic, Free-Range or Certified
Humane to ensure that the animals on your dinner plate didn't suffer
needlessly. And join our campaign to guarantee humane slaughter for
poultry.
Terminate extermination. If you're having problems with local
wildlife, try a humane solution to your problem before you call the
exterminator. Instead of trapping mice who invade your home, find out
how they're getting in, and seal the entry off. If local deer are
decimating your prized shrubs, support humane solutions like deer-
resistant plants as alternatives to deer hunting. There probably
isn't a problem that The HSUS's urban wildlife experts haven't
already encountered—and developed a humane solution to address.
Lend a hand at the shelter. How often do you hear yourself say that
you love animals? This year, instead of just talking the talk, try
walking the walk. Walk into your nearest shelter and lend a hand.
Volunteering at your local animal shelter is a great way to help
animals in the most direct way possible. You'll learn about problems
shelters confront every day by seeing them firsthand. But more
important, you'll be part of the solution.
Teach peace. Kids are impressionable, so make sure you impress upon
them the humane treatment of animals. Keep your kids away from
entertainment that's harmful to animals and exploitive venues like
swim-with-dolphin parks. Instead, treat them to an afternoon at an
animal-free circus, or visit a farm sanctuary where they can get a
different view of animals. What's more, lobby your child's teachers—
and your state legislature—to win your child's right to choose an
alternative to classroom dissection. You can even adopt a classroom
by sponsoring a subscription to KIND News™.
Put down the weapon. The practice of sport hunting has opened the
doors to numerous abuses that are terrible for animals. Practices
like bear baiting, canned hunting, and shooting doves for target
practice are unsportsmanlike and inhumane. There are better ways to
enjoy animals and the great outdoors. Instead of stalking animals
with a rifle, try wildlife tracking on your next walk in the woods.
Make the call for animals. You know that democracy calls for
participation, but you may not realize that just one phone call or
letter to your lawmakers can make a big difference when it comes to
passing a law that protects animals. Resolve to stay abreast of the
issues and take action at least one time a month on behalf of
animals. Once you find out how easy it is, you may do it again and
again.
Give the gift of compassion. Donations to local shelters—and The HSUS—
help keep positive changes for animals coming. Whether you provide an
item on your shelter's wish list or support The HSUS's work, there
are many ways to apply your gift.
Most of all, remind yourself that every resolution you make—and keep—
will make a concrete difference in the lives of animals near and far.
There's no better way to keep the spirit of new beginnings alive all
year long.
Copyright © 2004 The Humane Society of the United States. All rights
reserved.
Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Dec. 28, 2004