ASPCA's ten ways to avoid animal cruelty

hi guys,I just want to share a part from an article from ASPCA's site,to view the complete article,just click the link below:

http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/top-10-ways-to-prevent-animal.html

If you're a fan of the award-winning reality series Animal Precinct, then you've already seen the ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement's Supervisory Special Investigator Annemarie Lucas in action. But did you know that you, too, can help crack down on animal cruelty in your own community? Read on for Officer Lucas's take on making the world a safer place for animals:

1. Be aware. Without phone calls from the concerned citizens who report cruelty in their neighborhoods, we wouldn't know about most instances of animal abuse. It all comes from the public, it all starts with YOU—that's why it's so important to keep your eyes and ears open. Get to know and look out for the animals in your neighborhood. By being aware, you're more likely to notice, for example, that the dog next door who was once hefty has lost weight rapidly—a possible indicator of abuse.

2. Learn to recognize animal cruelty. Here are some signs and symptoms that we see in many of the cases we investigate:

• Tick or flea infestations. Such a condition, if left untreated by a veterinarian, can lead to an animal's death.
• Wounds on the body.
• Patches of missing hair.
• Extremely thin, starving animals.
• Limping.
• An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal.
• Dogs who are repeatedly left alone without food and water, often chained up in a yard.
• Dogs who have been hit by cars-or are showing any of the signs listed above-and have not been taken to a veterinarian.
• Dogs who are kept outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions.
• Animals who cower in fear or act aggressively when approached by their owners.

3. Know who to call to report animal cruelty.

4. Provide as much as information as possible when reporting animal cruelty. The details that you provide can go a long way toward assisting the investigating officer. It helps to write down the type of cruelty that you witnessed, who was involved, the date of the incident and where it took place.

5. Call or write your local law enforcement department and let them know that investigating animal cruelty should be a priority. Animal cruelty is a CRIME—and the police MUST investigate these crimes.

6. Know your state's animal cruelty laws.

7. Fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws on federal, state and local levels by joining the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade. It's frustrating when I have built a strong case against someone who has been arrested for cruelty to animals and the judge treats it like a simple violation. But with stronger laws, they'll be more likely to receive tougher penalties. As an ASPCA Advocacy Brigade member, you'll receive emails asking you to write letters encouraging your legislators to pass these laws-and you can send them directly from our website.

8. Set a good example for others. If you have pets, be sure to always show them the love and good care that they deserve. But it's more than just food, water, and adequate shelter. If you think your animal is sick, bring him to the veterinarian. Be responsible and have your animals spayed or neutered. And I always give my own pets lots of hugs when I get home!

9. Talk to your kids about how to treat animals with kindness and respect. I regularly see children in homes where animal abuse has been reported. If a parent isn't treating the family's pets right, I tell kids that their dog or cat would really appreciate fresh water every day, or if they spent some time playing with them. If the animal has been left outside without shelter, I'll say, 'You have a nice house, and if you get cold, you can put a coat on. But your dog can't do that. Don't you think he'd like a nice warm place to go, too?' I know of families who watch Animal Precinct together, and I think this can help children understand that animals are living creatures who have the ability to feel pain, joy and sadness. You can see these emotions on the faces of the animals on the show.

10. Support your local shelter or animal rescue organization.

make the holiday cruelty-free

We, the undersigned environmental, animal welfare and animal rights groups together with concerned organizations, would like to encourage the general public to adopt a compassionate celebration of the Holiday Season. We have drafted the following suggestions for those who would like to make this season more meaningful not only for
their loved ones but also for the rest of the creatures we share the planet with:

*Show kindness to animals and please don’t give them as presents.

Animals are not toys. It is unfair to give an animal to anyone unless you are absolutely certain that the person wants that particular animal as a companion and is willing and able to give a lifetime of proper care. Intentionally or not, some children and adults are cruel to animals. Small children may unintentionally torment and/or harm animals. Adoration may turn to indifference or even hostility when they lose interest, leaving the animals without necessary care. If you are going to give someone a pet as a gift, make sure that the recipient will be a responsible pet owner.

*Think green

Recycle! Using newspapers to wrap your gifts, it’s original and earth friendly! Reduce waste by segregating garbage and recycling reusable materials and aim to buy organic and local produce to support the local farmers. Look for locally made gifts: many gifts in today's marketplace come from halfway around the world, and the impact of transportation contributes significantly to greenhouse emissions and global warming. Local craft fairs and artisan shops are a good source for gifts that come without the added costs of transportation. Also, choose gifts made from recycled sources - many individuals and small businesses have developed great products using recycled materials. Supporting these businesses helps reduce the waste stream while promoting the concept of making best use of available materials. Give 'battery-free' gifts to the family kids: about 40% of all battery sales occur during the holiday season. Discarded batteries are an environmental hazard. Even rechargeable batteries find their way into the waste stream eventually.

*Have a compassionate meal!

Share a delicious and nutritious vegetarian meal with your loved ones and give animals something to celebrate by having a meatless Christmas Noche Buena. Celebrations without suffering make family gatherings all the more meaningful – and can save both animal and human lives. There are plenty of delicious recipes that will please every palate and make it easier to give up the lechon, giving everyone – including animals – something to be thankful for this holiday season.

*Make it a Merry Christmas for animals! Boycott places that exhibit live animals and take your family out to the movies to watch animal-friendly flicks instead!

Watch fun animated movies where no real animals are used. Great examples of movies featuring cute animals are Madagascar , Ice Age, Ratatouille, and the list goes on! Boycott all live animal exhibits such as dolphin shows and zoos. Most animals in aquariums and zoos are kept in grotesquely inadequate conditions and suffer myriad problems, such as neglect, abuse, malnutrition, incompatible social groupings, unsuitable climate, and insufficient veterinary care. At home in the ocean, whales and dolphins may swim up to 100 miles a day, but in captivity, most are confined to tanks that are 60 feet long or even smaller. Because dolphins navigate by echolocation – bouncing sonar waves off other objects to determine shape, density, distance, and location – the reverberations from their own sonar bouncing off the tank walls drives some dolphins insane. Dolphins can live up to 50 years in the wild but more than half of all captive dolphins die within the first two years of captivity; those surviving that long live an average of only six years. What children learn when they look at animals act in captivity is how they act in captivity and that it is acceptable to cause wild animals to be bored, cramped, and kept far from their natural homes.

*Offer your help to the ones in need

Volunteer at your local animal shelter and consider giving an ethical gift this Christmas by donating to charitable groups. Not only will you be supporting a charity’s lifesaving work but helping those in need.

When it comes to feeling love and happiness we are all the same, human and non-human alike.

Happy Holidays to All!

Signed,
Earth Island Institute
Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

KALIKASAN-People’s Network for the Environment

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

Bangon Kalikasan

Center for Environmental Concerns (CEC-Phils.)

Agham-Youth

League of Youth for the Environment (LYFE)