Marie Belew Wheatley, president and CEO said, “Kindness toward animals is a building block of a humane and compassionate society.”  “We celebrate and encourage that all year long,” she said.

Not that we need a designated time of year to do this, in honor of Be Kind to Animals Week, here are some tips on how you can show your appreciation for animals:

Speak out for animals
Get informed about policies and legislation that can impact the animals in your community and throughout the country. Also, register to receive Action Alerts from American Humane — you’ll be able to speak out for animals with just the click of a mouse. Advocacy for animals can make a huge difference in their safety and well-being.www.americanhumane.org.

Report animal abuse
Animal cruelty and abuse is not only tragic for animals, but also an indicator that other forms of abuse such as domestic violence could be happening. If you see something that looks suspicious — a dog chained in your neighbor’s yard that looks underfed, a child putting a cat in a box and kicking it around the yard –  please don’t hesitate.  Let your local animal control, humane society or animal shelters know.

Appreciate wildlife
All animals deserve to be treated humanly — family pets and animals in the wild. Create an inviting space in your yard and garden for butterflies, hummingbirds and other creatures. If wildlife comes too close to home, look for ways to coexist with animals or to protect your property humanely. Teach children to appreciate animals and wildlife. Lead by example and demonstrate how we can make a difference in the lives of all animals.

Adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue
Every year, an estimated 3.7 million animals must be euthanized at our nation’s shelters because they could not be adopted into loving homes. Help animals find a second chance at happiness by adopting your next pet from your local shelter or rescue group. American Humane has tips to find the animal companion that’s right for you and develop a bond that will last a lifetime.

Take care of your pet
Pets are like children who never grow up. Along with love, they need you to help keep them healthy and safe throughout their lives.  Take your pet to the veterinarian regularly. Keep your animal’s vaccinations up-to-date. Make sure he’s wearing proper identification and/or get them microchipped.  Know what it takes to be a responsible pet owner.

For more resources, visit http://americanhumane.org.

My cats are asking that you PLEASE choose AniMeals of Missoula Montana.

**The last contest ended November 1, 2008. The lucky winner was Independent Animal Rescue, Inc (IAR) of Durham, NC  www.animalrescue.net

CONGRATULATIONS!! w00t w00t!

Your local animal shelter cares for displaced animals and adopts them into new homes. It investigates cruelty and neglect, reunites lost pets with their families, teaches kids to care about animals, and provides spay/neuter services.

“In 1996, The HSUS launched National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week (based on an idea from the Capital Humane Society in Lincoln, Nebraska). This campaign was designed to acknowledge and promote the invaluable role shelters play in their communities and to increase public awareness of animal welfare issues and shelter services. During National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, the first full week of every November, The HSUS promotes and celebrates animal shelters across the country through media and public outreach. “ Taken from www.hsus.org

Pledge to Support Your Local Shelter….

1 – Sport a Special Shirt or Tote Bag

Show your support for The HSUS and local animal shelters with an exclusive Shelters Rock t-shirt or tote bag available at all G by GUESS stores, or you can buy the t-shirt online.

2 – Support the no-kill shelters!

Please do let your money go to killing an animal.

3 – Say thank you.

Drop a note of appreciation in the mail.

4 – Add a Banner to Your Webpage

Post a banner to your MySpace profile, blog, or website to show your appreciation for your local shelter.

5 – Make a Small Donation

Shelters can always use cash, but why not get creative? Donate a year’s subscription to Animal Sheltering Magazine for just $20, or check out your local shelter’s wish list on their website (food, litter, office supplies, cleaning supplies, pet toys pet beds).

6 – Volunteer Your Time

Bathe, feed and help socialize the animals.
Help at adoptions.
Return calls or make calls to recent adopters.
Help do the laundry and other cleaning.

7 – Foster an animal!

Many shelters are over crowded and understaffed.

By fostering you’re freeing up space for the many more animals that will come through the doors. Not only that but because the animal lives with you, you help socialize that animal and learn more about their likes, dislikes and personality which makes for a very informed adoption when someone comes asking about that particular animal. Check with the shelter to see if the food, litter and vet costs are covered. Some shelters only offer paying for vet care, others, may pay for everything.

]]> http://www.purrsandhisses.com/2008/11/06/shelters-rock/feed/ 0 http://www.purrsandhisses.com/2008/10/16/animeals-recycle-program/ http://www.purrsandhisses.com/2008/10/16/animeals-recycle-program/#comments Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:56:28 +0000 MizPandora http://www.purrsandhisses.com/?p=71 For those of you living in Western Montana here is another way to help out my favorite animal food bank. This is from their website www.Animeals.com

AniMeals Recycling Program

Help AniMeals feed hungry animals by recycling your cardboard, newspapers and aluminum cans! For your convenience we have set up accounts at both recycling centers! Just take all your recyclables to Pacific Recycling located at 2600 Latimer Street or Allied Waste Missoula Recyclery located at 3207 W. Broadway and tell them to put it on the AniMeals account. Both recycling centers are open 8:00 to 5:00 Monday thru Friday. AniMeals also has bins available for your recyclables on weekends and after hours at 1700 Rankin Street.