Be Kind to Animals Week® May 4 to 10, 2003
Be Kind to Animals Week was created by American Humane in 1915 as a major initiative to provide humane education in the United States. Teaching humane values remains a focus of Be Kind to Animals Week activities, by offering adults and children opportunities to develop compassionate attitudes toward animals in our world.
The 2002 Be Kind to Animals Week was one of the most successful yet! Hundreds of animal shelters throughout the country held special events to raise awareness, and people everywhere -- young and old -- got involved to learn about the amazing role animals play in our lives.
Remember, the spirit of Be Kind to Animals Week can be celebrated all year, and there are many ways you can make a difference. If you're interested in volunteering with an animal welfare organization, please give them a call or stop by and ask what kind of help they need.
Help Support Animal Shelters!
The 2003 Be Kind to Animals Week is sponsored by Kibbles 'n Bits®, 9Lives®, Pounce®, and Pup-Peroni®. For every four UPC labels from these products mailed in between April 15 and Aug. 15, 2003 , free pet food and snacks will be donated to shelters. For information click here. For more information about these pet food and snack brands, visit www.kibblesnbits.com, www.9lives.com and www.thinktreats.com.
Be Kind to Animals Week®
They say every dog has his day. Well, during each May, dogs, cats, rabbits, and even fish have an entire week dedicated to them!
Be Kind to Animals Week® celebrates all of our furred, feathered, and finned friends. And it's the perfect time to pamper the dickens out of your four-legged family members. Make playtime part of your daily routine this week (a great habit to get into). Take your dog for a walk. Get your pet spayed or neutered. Update their ID tags. And bring your cats inside--permanently--since indoor cats live longer, healthier, safer lives.
To show your appreciation for the animals who don't live in your house, put a bird feeder in your yard. Start recycling. Plant a bush that feeds butterflies. Put up a bat house (they eat hundreds of insects each night!). And support your local shelter with gifts and time.
Whatever you do, just use this one week to look around your house, yard, and community and enjoy the beauty and friendship that animals bring to your world and their role in keeping you and this planet alive.
Make a Difference
A great way to celebrate this special week and make a difference throughout the year is to make a donation to your local animal shelter. "Donate" can mean many different things! And chances are, your local animal shelter can benefit from your generosity in a variety of ways. Start by calling them directly and asking what they need. Keep in mind that all shelters appreciate monetary donations, and in fact, some shelters absolutely depend on them to continue to serve their communities. But, did you know most shelters need supplies and other assistance that you wouldn't necessarily think of right away?
- Try donating laundry detergent or bleach for the dozens of loads of laundry that have to be washed each day.
- Pet food is always a good choice. But, before you head to the store, call and ask if there are any specific products that are especially needed. Depending on the time of year or if any special-needs animals have come in, shelters may need extra puppy or kitten food or special formulas. The sponsors of this year's program include the great tasting brands Kibbles 'n Bits®, 9Lives®, Pounce®, and Pup-Peroni®. When you mail in four UPC labels of these products between April 15 and Aug. 15, 2003, free pet food and snacks will be donated to shelters. For more information, click here.
- Animal shelters have administrative duties just like other businesses. Often, they'll appreciate donated items like copy paper, computer supplies, camera film, or even postage stamps. Call first and see what's on their "wish list."
- Donate your time! Volunteering at a shelter doesn't always mean having direct contact with animals or cleaning kennels. Many shelters also need help with data entry, filing, and other clerical duties. They also may need help with community outreach or off-site adoptions. Call and inquire about the kind of help they need.
Above all, realize that shelters depend heavily on support from their communities. Get involved today -- you'll be glad you did!
Help make your local shelter a happy place to visit. When people think of animal shelters, they often don't picture a warm, friendly environment where adoptions and family reunions happen every day. Call your local shelter and ask what you can do to help change that perception. You could initiate a project for local school kids to draw pictures of animals being adopted or reunited with their loved ones. Then, work with the shelter to allow the children to hang their drawings on cages in the dog and cat rooms. Or, you could help the shelter decorate for a special holiday. Simply give them a call and let them know you're ready to make a difference. It could lead to more animals being adopted into loving homes.
Report animal abuse. You may be the only one who can save an animal from abuse or neglect. If you witness animal abuse, report it immediately to your local humane agency. Learn more...
Teach children how to be kind to animals. Children of all ages love to learn about animals. Take this opportunity to teach them not only how to care for their own pets, but also how to treat wildlife. Take a group of kids on a nature hike or a tour of a local animal shelter. The lessons they learn while they're young will stay with them for a lifetime.
Encourage others to adopt their next pet from a shelter. Animal shelters nationwide are filled with companion animals just waiting to be adopted. Under one roof, you'll find wonderful dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and even small animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters -- all in need of good homes. If someone you know is looking for a new pet, refer them to a local shelter.
Create a space for wildlife in your own backyard! Plant trees and shrubs to give birds a welcome place to hang out. Set up a bird feeder and birdbath during winter when food and water are more scarce. Or, create a hummingbird or butterfly habitat to attract these winged creatures to your yard.
American Humane urges you to help get your local animal shelter or humane society involved in Be Kind to Animals Week®. For more information, contact us.
Kibbles 'n Bits®, 9Lives®, Pounce®, and Pup-Peroni® are registered trademarks of Del Monte Corporation.
Copyright © 2003 American Humane Association
