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Kids Can Help the Animals!
Animals need our help!
Whether you're talking about wild animals whose
habitats are endangered, farm animals suffering overcrowding on a
factory-style farm, or the pets at your local animal shelter... animals
really need your help.
Here are just some of the many different ways you
can give your help:
Your local animal shelter is
desperately in need of donations -- pet supplies, money, and
volunteer help. Call or stop by your local animal shelter, or
check their web page, and let them know you would like to help out.
If you are under 16, your shelter may
not be able to have you work on site with the animals (liability
issues). But you may be able to help out in other ways, such
as fostering kittens or puppies who are too young to thrive in the
shelter environment. Just be aware, they will be going on to
new homes at some point. Still, this is not as hard as it may
sound. As long as you remember that your job is that of animal
socializer -- like a trainer who is helping them get ready to be
totally adoptable. And once they find their "forever home",
you'll be ready to bring a new friend home!
Learn how the Humane Society of the United States
is connected to your
local Humane Society!
Browse our selection of links below to find a
group that you would like to help.
Shelters all over our country are
filled, overfilled, with pets who need homes. If you have
been thinking about getting a pet, think shelter adoption first.
That way you'll be helping an animal in need, and finding a
wonderful animal companion at the same time.
However, first take the time to
learn how to be a responsible pet owner. And
remember, adopting a pet is a huge commitment, one that
will last for the animal's entire life. Don't adopt
on a whim. Make sure you are willing and able to provide a
loving home for the animal for it's entire life!
Pet Adoption
Tips and Information from the Humane Society
Earth's Kids Pet Page
-- for pet care links and articles
Wherever you live, there's some kind
of local wildlife that needs your protection. Wildlife
preserves come in all sizes. It may be a section of your local
beach, where shorebirds lay their eggs, or a vacant field where
Monarch butterflies weave their chrysalis. Or it might be a
local river, salt marsh, or even an old farm. Talk to
your teacher, or to the local and regional parks departments, to
find out about nearby nature preserves and then stop by to check it
out. If you really love it and want to help keep safe
and help others appreciate it... then this might be a great place
for you to volunteer your time. You could help out with
folding newsletters, taking care of the grounds, making decorations
for special events, or helping out with classes and workshops for
younger kids. Just let them know you think it's a
special place and you'd really like to help out. Even if they
don't have a regular task for you, they'll put you on their contact
list, to notify you when they need help.
Take time to learn more about an
animal issue that is important to you. Make sure you know the
facts -- about the problem and about ways to help. Then
tell your friends and family. Talk to your teacher about ways
to make other students more aware.
Remember, if you're doing something
to be part of the solution (like volunteering at the animal shelter,
a wildlife refuge, or an animal rehab facility, etc.) you'll be a more
impressive spokesperson for your cause. Because people will
respect your example, and your commitment.
More and more animals are raised on
"factory" style farms, where animals are treated as things, cogs in
a machine to produce a product. And all too often the animals'
needs are not adequately considered. Most are overcrowded,
many never see the sunlight, and far too many are treated with
horrifying cruelty. But we don't have to put up with this!
There are groups working hard to change our laws, to make more
people aware, and to put pressure on food service companies that buy
from factory style farms.
Learn what
you and the Humane Society can do to end cruel practices
Links
25 Things You Can Do
To Save Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are home to countless
species of fish and other marine life. But they are
threatened by pollution, global warming, overfishing, and and
other threats. Learn what you can do to help save them --
and the gorgeous creatures that live there.
B.L.M.'s
National Wild Horse & Burro Page
Features information on the Bureau of Land Management's program
for adoption of mustangs and burros. Visit their website or
contact them by phone at
1-866-4MUSTANGS
If you're feeling
up to the challenge this may be your chance to purchase a
beautiful animal at a fraction of the cost of a domestically
raised horse.
But be warned,
these are wild animals. It takes a lot of time and patience to
gain the trust of a wild mustang and create a bond that may lead
to a good working relationship. Even after this work is done,
you will most likely need to enlist the work of a professional
horse trainer to turn this denizen of the wilderness into a good
saddle horse. But the payoff is knowing that you have saved one
of these beautiful and noble creatures from destruction.
Conserve Our Ocean Legacy
A
broad national effort to build support for ocean and fish
protections. The Ocean Legacy campaign now includes more than 800
partner groups and is aimed at raising awareness about the threats
of overfishing, bycatch, and habitat destruction.
You can also
surf
their website for videos about whaling and sea turtle
preservation as well as informative articles about the hazards
facing our oceans.
Attention
educators:
Defender's of
Wildlife
Defenders of
Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native
wild
animals and plants in their natural
communities. We focus our programs on what scientists consider two
of the most serious environmental threats to the planet: the
accelerating rate of extinction of species and the associated loss
of biological diversity, and habitat alteration and destruction.
Long known for our leadership on endangered species issues,
Defenders of Wildlife also advocates new approaches to wildlife
conservation that will help keep species from becoming endangered.
The Dian Fossey Gorrilla
Fund
Help continue Dian Fossey's legendary work to save the mountain
gorilla. Adopt your own gorilla and be a long
distance gorilla foster parent. You will get a
special profile on your gorilla and a framed photo. Visit
the site to learn more or to learn what else you can do to help
these very special animals. (Be sure to visit the
Gorilla
Foundation web site for even more about gorillas.)
Endangered Whales Fact Sheet
Endangered Animals!
This site by the American Museum of
Natural History presents an online exhibition showing various
endangered animals, the reasons for the problem, an informative fact
sheet on each animal species, as well as some fun pages with legends
and coloring. There's even information on endangered habitats,
such as coral reefs, the Olympic Peninsula, Madagascar, and the
Kapuas River region of Borneo.
Friends of the
Sea Otter
Premier sea otter advocacy organization.
Sea otter word
search.
Humane Society of the United States
Check out this site to learn more
about important issues for animals, including: ending the fur
industry, improving conditions for farm animals, research on
animals, puppy "mills", and more. Surf their site to
find information about how you can help change the laws so that they
better protect animals!
The HSUS is the nation's largest
animal protection organization with more than seven million members
and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with
active programs in companion animals, wildlife and habitat
protection, animals in research, and farm animals. The HSUS protects
all animals through legislation, litigation, investigation,
education, advocacy and field work. A non-profit organization, The
HSUS celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2004, is based in
Washington, D.C. and has seven regional offices across the country.
Learn how the HSUS is connected to your local Humane Society!
Mission Humane
Mission:
Humane is a nationwide group of young people working to help
animals where they need it most. You can be part of it, too! Do the
projects they suggest and get fun rewards for taking action!
Each year, one KIND Kid Award winner
is selected to receive $100. Four runners-up are awarded $50 each.
The deadline for entering is January 15, and winners are notified on
or around February 15
See
what other kids have done!
National Wildlife Federation
 The quickest
way to take action for the environment. This site features
news in the world of wildlife conservation and environmental
issues, and highlights specific actions you can take -- right
now -- to help with wetlands preservation, ending government
funded harm to the environment, and urging government to take
positive action on behalf of wildlife. Be sure to check
out their cool stuff for kids
including their excellent action tips. (Be sure to check out
Green Home.
Save the
Whales
Working to
educate the public and shift public policy since 1977. Check
their site for whale facts and ways to get involved. Learn how
small changes in your daily life can help sea mammals. Adopt a
whale!
The Sierra Club
Without a healthy
natural habitat in which to live, wild animals are doomed to
extinction or a life in a zoo. The Sierra Cub, founded
in 1892, has been working to preserve natural habitat and ensure its
health for more than 100 years. There experience and familiar
name has made them into a powerful advocacy organization for the
wild. Visit their home page and find out what
action they are working on right now, and what you can do to help
and become better informed.
Threatened, Endangered, And Depleted Seals And Sea Lions
Wild
Mustang Sponsorship
Human beings have been moving in on land needed by all kinds of
other animals -- including the wild mustang. Some of these
beautiful animals have found a place of their own on wild lands
owned and protected by the Institute of Range and the American
Mustang (IRAM). Learn how you can help IRAM save these animals
from slaughter and starvation through sponsoring a wild horse or
by volunteering your time.
World Wildlife Fund for Nature
Another top level site with news about events going on around
the globe that impact the future of our natural world. It
also features great information on how you can help -- through
campaigns, wise shopping, donations, and educating others.
And if you needed one more reason to visit their site, their url
is www.panda.org!
Learn more about endangered species on their fact sheets.
Caring for Injured Wildlife...
Remember, wild animals like being wild -- don't try to keep an injured animal
as a pet.
Also, keep in mind that some
injured animals can be
dangerous! To an
injured animal, you seem like a threat. They may bite, claw, or
otherwise signal you to keep your distance if you try to pick them up.
Many types of wild animals, including birds,
simply die when people try to adopt them. (Or turn out to be much
more trouble than anticipated!)
If you find a wild animal that is injured or
seems lost, call your local Humane Society for information, or check
out these sources for more information:
What to Do If You Find a Baby Bird
What
to Do If You Find a Wild Baby Bunny
Wildlife
Rehabilitation Information Directory
Check out this website for information on who to call in your area,
or
to find a wildlife sanctuary near you.
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Saving
The Environment
Giving Service
In Your Community
Stopping
Global Warming
Ending World Hunger
Helping Animals
Working For
World Peace
Ending Poverty
Use the Power of Information
Taking a Stand Against
Prejudice
&
Discrimination
Taking A Spiritual
Approach To Life
Nurturing A Positive
Attitude
Learning...
About Yourself, Your World,
&
What You Can Do
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