Getting ACTIVE for animals

We're all familiar with the saying that "Every dark cloud has a silver ling." Without a doubt there are few issues more troubling in our world than the horrific treatment of non-human animals on farms, laboratories, puppy mills, fur farms and elsewhere. But to this dark cloud of cruelty and suffering there is indeed a type of silver lining: because the problem is so massive and affects so many animals, each of us has the ability to do a huge amount of good in our lifetimes, saving hundreds of lives and reducing a great deal of suffering. It's because of this potential to do so much good that many of us at the Humane League choose to focus on animal protection issues as opposed to other social justice issues (issues that are important, but on which we feel we'd be able to make less of an impact).

All of us who care about animals want to make a change, but as advocates we face the temptation of spending all our time reading about cruelties done to animals, reflecting on how we wish things could be better or what we wish would happen in society, and commiserating with like-minded people over tasty veg meals while forgetting that the most important thing is that we take ACTION for animals. If we are thinking and reading about the suffering of animals, even talking about it in person or online, but not taking action for animals, then really all that we are doing is entertaining ourselves with intellectual and social stimulation while animals continue to suffer.

While there will always be discussion and debate about the best path to a future world where animals are not exploited for human gain, all of us know that there are several things that need to happen. The public needs to learn about the cruelties occurring in slaughterhouses and factory farms, in laboratories and elsewhere, and to be persuaded that the suffering of animals matters. The public needs to learn how they can live their life enjoyably without supporting these cruelties. Corporations, businesses and institutions need to be pressed to reduce or end the suffering they're causing to animals. Laws need to be passed to step-by-step provide greater protection for animals.

While we might not be able to get laws passed on our own, each of us can do a great deal of good in our own lives to educate the public and to press for change at the businesses and institutions that surround us. The most important thing is that we get ACTIVE - today, tomorrow, this weekend, and next month - doing activities that make a quantifiable difference in the lives of animals.

Joining the Humane League for a veg outreach session to pass out booklets to the public is one such way, and we regularly receive feedback of people going veg (and therefore lives saved) as a result of getting a booklet from us. Leafleting on your own or leaving stacks of information at sympathetic businesses, coffee shops, or libraries is another way. Sponsoring a veg starter kit stand in your neighborhood is a great way to reach many people. Slipping leaflets on factory farming into any envelopes you're sending out (say, if you're paying the bills) or leaving one with the toll booth attendant is a way. Holding a house party for non-veg friends to watch an animal protection film and share veg starter kits and recipe guides is a way. Joining the Humane League in its No Battery Cage campaign by getting letters signed or coming to an outreach event is a way, as is joining other groups like COK or HSUS that are successfully working to achieve change at the institutional and corporate levels. Donating to fund pro-veg advertising is a great way to create change and save lives if free time is something you just don't have. Passing out leaflets on fur farming by a fur store on a busy city street is a way to potentially spare dozens of lives with a few hours of work.

Over the past week, in the bitter cold, a few HLP volunteers distributed veg outreach booklets at a concert, several colleges, and in center city Philadelphia, reaching over 1,000 people with the realities of factory farming. Please join us this coming weekend on South Street to help us reach another 1,000 people. Please volunteer to host a Humane League house party to educate friends and co-workers and raise money to save farmed animals. Please get ACTIVE to help animals, in any and all ways you can, because our sympathy alone does nothing to help - something all of us have to remind ourselves daily, so that our focus remains steadily on "what's the next thing I can do that will directly help animals," and so that animals may reap the benefits of our compassion.

And remember, we're always here to help you get active for animals by providing literature, guidance, or feedback - info@thehumaneleague.com