How Can I Help?
From Animal Defenders of Westchester (ADOW)

We advocate on all animal protection and exploitation issues, including experimentation, factory farming, rodeos, breeders and traveling animal acts.

How Can I help?

NOTE: This site contains first-hand information, personal experiences, fact sheets and related animal protection information that will help provide you with the means and the inspiration to enable you as an activist. In particular, the ANIMAL PROTECTION PHOTO JOURNAL provides extensive information by clicking on each species photo; and the LOBBYING MINI-TUTORIAL will lead you through the process of creating legislation.

- By helping the animals you will also be helping the environment, as factory farming is an ecological disaster www.goveg.com

- By helping the animals you will be helping and empowering yourself, as a plant-based diet is statistically superior for your health (visit PHYSICIANS COMMITTEE FOR RESPONSIBLE MEDICINE (PCRM))

- And most importantly, by helping the animals, you will be a voice for those who suffer in silence; you will change the world.

EDUCATE TO LIBERATE/ADVOCACY/JOIN US EDUCATION:

  • PETA, PCRM and many other groups provide freeleaflets and literature for demos, others for a small fee ; leave them in doctor's offices, banks, pharmacies, pet goods stores, churches, etc. (ADOW has a variety of literature and our own issue-specific leaflets as well);
  • OFFER TO read compassionate books to children at libraries, such as IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE by Laura Joffe Nemeroff, or THE PIG WHO SANG TO THE MOON by Jeffrey Moussaieff Mason.
  • SET UP an information table - tabling can legally be done on any public street by setting up a table, and offering literature, petitions, etc! (Do not block store entrances or pedestrian traffic). (ADOW frequently prepares issue-specific literature for distribution - contact us for further information.)
  • ARRANGE EVENTS that include film and food sampling;
  • OFFER TO MEET with schools regarding humane education, stopping dissection, etc. Learn more about dissection and computer programs like Dissection-Works, available from ScienceWorks at 808 Retford Center, Winston-Salem, NC 27104 (800-478-8476; www.scienceclass.com or visit www.petakids.com for a free 'Cut out dissection' pack.
  • EDUCATE YOURSELF, by reading such books as DIET FOR A SMALL PLANET by John Robbins, YOU CAN SAVE THE ANIMALS, 251 SIMPLE WAYS TO STOP THOUGHTLESS CRUELTY, by Ingrid Newkirk, ANIMAL LIBERATION by Peter Singer, or DOMINION by Matthew Scully.
  • Read THE IMPORTANCE AND USE OF DEMONSTRATIONS

ADVOCACY:

  • ALWAYS - ALWAYS SPEAK UP! File complaints with officials, etc., when you see animal abuse - in the Westchester area, the website www.westchestergov.com provides access to most police, legislators, Department of Health and public administrators.
  • ARRANGE BOYCOTTS and demonstrations against rodeos, circuses, the March of Dimes, any and all 'events' that abuse and exploit animals.
  • WRITE LETTERS to the editors of newspapers and to sponsors of the events; *See Peta's guide to letter writing in 'CAMPAIGNS'
  •  CANCEL A RODEO (See "Stop Rodeos.")
  • *VOLUNTEER TO HELP at a shelter; even an hour a week would brighten the life of a homeless cat or dog. Consider giving one (or two!) a good home.
  • UTILIZE THE GOVERNMENTAL PROCESS for the betterment of the animals, by creating and supporting bills, legislation, contacting your representatives, etc. (see LOBBYING MINI-TUTORIAL) www.nysegov.com will help you find your legislators in NYS).
  • RAISE FUNDS FOR YOUR LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER, by organizing a car wash, yard sale or bake sale - local newspapers will frequently run stories about your efforts.
  • ORGANIZE A 'CLEAN-UP' in park areas and at fishing areas - fishing not only hurts fish, it also kills and injures other animals who get tangled and strangled in lost or tossed fishing tackle;
  • ALWAYS CARRY a leash and food to rescue lost animals (for questions on rescuing wildlife, call the ANIMAL NATION hotline at(914) 967-0555).
  • AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, GO VEGAN! DON'T WEAR LEATHER OR FUR TRIM; ONLY PURCHASE PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS THAT CLEARLY STATE "NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS" - INCLUDING DISHWASHING DETERGENT, TOOTHPASTE AND DEODORANT!

Still think it's okay to eat dairy products since the animal isn't killed to get them? The plight of factory farmed animals in the dairy industry is horrific. In order to produce milk a cow must be kept pregnant. Her babies are taken away from her after only two or three days. The male calves are usually turned into veal by being isolated in small crates and denying them proper nutrition. Put an end to this cruelty. Be a person of compassion. Stop eating dairy products (milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, etc.

 

JOIN US:
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