by [email protected]
Do not be deterred by the title of this article. When I
say poor, I do not mean "oh poor me." I'm talking about the animal
activists out there that want to give millions to charities or buy the
best equipment to produce exceptional protest materials or even send
mass amounts of letters to
companies and organisations, but can't because they lack
the monetary funds.
In other words, the activists who are broke.
Not having money can seem to put a damper on the spirits
of an activist. Trust me, I have first hand experience at this. I have
$34 in my bank account and $1.25 in my pocket as we speak. A few years
ago, I had to play my guitar in a subway station so I could buy food to
survive.
Not having money limits the animal activist. So what to
do?
Here are a few things the poor animal activist can do to
help their cause:
* Educate -- this is the biggest, most important
contribution an activist can do for their cause. Educate people. Teach
them the horrors of fur farms, laboratories, and the meat industry. Lots
of people don't know what really goes on in the world, but you can teach
them.
* Volunteer -- Give time instead of money to your local
animal organizations. I'm not talking about giving them 40 hours a week.
Giving yourself for just an hour a week can really make a difference.
* Spread the Word -- Know of a charity auction that you
would like to attend, but can't afford it? Is there a car wash
collecting proceeds for an animal rights fundraiser but don't have a
car? Tell your friends and co-workers. They might be interested, and
they never would have gone if you hadn't told them.
* Drop a Card -- Several organisations, like PETA, give
out free information cards (the size of business cards) for activists to
hand out. Collect them and carry them with you everywhere. Leave them in
ATM's, put them in books at the bookstore, place them on tables at the
mall food court.
* Clickable Donations -- Many sites like igive.com and
saveastray.com donate money to charities when you click on links at
their site. Clicks add up quickly. And so does the money.
* Be an Example -- Practice what you preach. Become
vegetarian/vegan, shop cruelty free, dress fur- and leather-free. Your
views come across better if you show other people that you are willing
to do what you want them to do.
It might not seem like much, but everything you do helps
animals a lot. Nothing you do is too little. Even us impoverished
activists can make a difference.
Go on to AR2001 Final
Program Published
Return to 21 June 2001 Issue
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