Humane Resolutions Help Everyone

This year, consider a New Year’s resolution that will help animals. There are many animals out there in need of human help from your and your neighbor’s companion animals to wildlife half-way around the world. A little effort on your part can help make a huge difference. Also, the effort put into these selfless resolutions can help improve on your own life, too. A generous resolution can feed two birds with one seed, if you will.

Want to work locally and hands-on? Look at the animals you live with. Do they get enough exercise and attention? Start taking your dogs—and even your leash-trained cat—for scheduled walks. Establish interactive play sessions. Ensure everyone is getting groomed regularly (and that includes those dreaded nail-clippings, too). Start some training. Every dog can enjoy the rewards offered by basic obedience classes; and then you can work up to more advanced work such as agility, tracking, or competition obedience. Our other companions can learn, too. Cats can easily learn tricks (you just have to learn how to make it worth their while). Birds are ripe for education, and even betta fish can learn to swim through a hoop for dinner.

The animals around you could also benefit from a healthy resolution. Maybe there is an outside dog down the street who would desperately enjoy some attention. Check with his or her guardian and offer to walk the dog or just spend time with him or her. You may know people who have been ill or otherwise unable to provide their normal level of care. Can you help them get their animals to vet appointments and out on walks? Another option is to resolve to volunteer at the shelter once a week, or even every other week. The time you spend with these animals could mean the difference between adoption and euthanasia.

You can also help animals you never meet. Do you eat meat? Consider going vegetarian or vegan. Or, consider leaving meat off your plate a couple days a week. Even cutting back just a bit can make an impact for animals and the planet. Are you comfortable writing letters or making phone calls? Become an active voice for animals. You can check our Action Letters and Paws Up/Down regularly to find out what issues need your help. Call or write about one issue a month.

Are you already too busy and need some hands off resolutions? Consider donating money and supplies. Do you spend four bucks on coffee every day? Cut out one of those each week and donate that to the animals. Four dollars a week adds up to $208 dollars a year! If that is too much, consider just five dollars a month. Most of us can find a spare five bucks and that adds up to $60 a year. If cash isn’t your thing, go through your linen closet and donate old towels and blankets to your local shelter. Or, pick up an extra bottle of bleach or bag of cat food when grocery shopping.

Don’t try to do each one of these things—no one can be a superhero and you will quickly burn out if you try. What is easiest for you to fit into your schedule or budget? Pick one or two of those activities and really concentrate on keeping them up throughout the year. As you help the animals, you’ll find that you are helping yourself, too. Interacting with your animals is a great way to get fit and in shape, learn new skills, exercise patience and discipline, and establish healthy routines. Helping others will give you a sense of pride and accomplishment while networking and building friendships. Switching your diet can help you become healthier and fitter. Reaching out to call or write on animal issues will help you understand how your government works, improve your persuasive writing/talking skills, and keep you up to date on current events. Whatever you choose to improve on this year, know the benefits can be far reaching.