What You Can Do to Help

Be a Voice for Animals
Animals can’t speak for themselves, so they need you to be an advocate for their safety and well-being. The choices you make as an individual can make an impact on the lives of animals. Being an animal advocate means living in a way that considers animals and taking actions to protect them. Animal advocacy includes both big and small everyday actions and decisions. Your actions can make a big difference!

Learn about the Link
Research indicates that there is a link between animal abuse and other types of violence toward humans. Studies show that those who abuse animals are more likely to commit other acts of violence, as well. Animal abuse doesn’t just hurt animals, it hurts us all. Working to end animal abuse is working to end the cycle of violence.

Know Your Legislators
Know who represents you on the local, state and national level and contact them when you want to voice your support or concern about a piece of legislation affecting animals. To keep updated on upcoming legislation, regularly check our legislative alerts page.

Write a Letter to the Editor about an Animal Issue
A letter in your local paper is a great way to educate the community on issues that concern animals. The letter will be most effective if it is timely and of local importance.

Tips for writing a letter to the editor:

Write objectively. Although this is an issue you care deeply about, using facts is more effective than using emotional statements.
Be concise. A short and direct letter is more likely to be read and understood by the public, as well as printed in the newspaper.
If responding to an article in a publication, respond as quickly as possible.
The sooner your letter gets to the editor, the more likely it is that it will be published.
Use e-mail to submit your letter, if possible.
Open your letter with a strong, clearly-stated point.
Close your letter with the point you would like the reader to remember.

Sample Letter to the Editor:
[Date]
To the Editor:
Paragraph one: I am deeply concerned by (name the community or policy issue that concerns you here. If responding to a previous article in the paper, give the title of the article and date it was published).
Paragraph two: I am concerned about (issue you are discussing) because (reason you are concerned). Additionally, this issue affects the community as a whole because (state how the issue affects not just you, but the entire community). (When you can, use a fact or statistic to back up your argument).
Paragraph three: (Issue at hand) is a concern for the community. I urge (group or company involved) to (desired action to be taken).
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your City, State, Zip]
[Your Telephone Number]
You must include your contact information, but you may ask that your address and telephone number be withheld from print. Generally, no anonymous letters will be printed.

Protect the Animals Around You
If you witness animal abuse, call your local police department. For information about reporting animal abuse to authorities, click here.

Educate Yourself
Read books and magazines about animal issues and share the information you learn with friends, family and neighbors. There are many great resources online, including many emailed newsletters from organizations in Wisconsin, which are terrific for keeping you up-to-date on local animal issues.

Volunteer
Volunteer your time at an animal welfare organization in your community. As a volunteer, you have a direct impact on the lives of animals.

Shop Smart
Learn about cruelty-free beauty products. You may also want to write a letter to your favorite beauty/cosmetics company expressing your concern with animal testing and asking them to not use animal testing.

Sample Letter:
To the Marketing or Research & Development Department of (insert company name):
I frequently use your products and hope to continue purchasing them in the future; however, I am deeply concerned about the use of animals to test beauty/cosmetic products. I would like to know your policy on this important issue. Neither the Food & Drug Administration nor the Consumer Products Safety Commission require that animal testing be used and there are other testing opportunities that do not involve animals.
I encourage you to neither conduct nor commission any animal testing and to make agreements with the suppliers you use to end that practice as well. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Your stance against animal testing will ensure that concerned consumers like me can continue to enjoy your product.
Sincerely,
(Your signature and printed name here)

Eat a Compassionate Diet
Buy meat, eggs and other animal products with the Free-Farmed label, so that you know the animals involved were treated humanely. If your grocery store does not stock these items, ask them why they don't and explain why animal-friendly food practices are important to you.

Give
Animal welfare organizations across Wisconsin rely on your generosity to continue to advocate for animals and to find them safe homes.

Get Active in Your Community
Attend neighborhood and City Council meetings and address animal concerns. Be a voice for animals who cannot speak for themselves.

Promote Spay Wisconsin
Spay Wisconsin assists Wisconsin residents in finding low-cost spay/neuter programs throughout the state. Spay and neuter is the greatest tool we have to end pet overpopulation and save lives.

Help Wildlife
Everyday, wild animals suffer from injuries or illnesses, many accidentally or purposefully caused by people. Learn more about what you can do to help wildlife from suffering unnecessary harm.

Be a Responsible Animal Guardian
Lead by example by properly caring for your own companion animal and fulfilling her need for love and attention, food and water, exercise and regular visits to the veterinarian.