Humane New Year’s Resolutions - National Humane Education Society

A new year brings hope of good things to come and a fresh resolve to form good habits! If you are among the many who devote yourself to a New Year’s resolution, why not consider a resolution to benefit animals?

1. Exercise with a Shelter Dog. Have you vowed to exercise more this year? Volunteer at your local shelter once a month to walk and socialize a shelter dog! You’ll feel good about slimming down and providing companionship and exercise to an animal in need.

2. Help Decrease Pet Overpopulation. Spaying and neutering companion animals is key to combating the continued problem of animal homelessness. Spaying or neutering reduces an animal’s overall risk of developing cancers of the reproductive system. If you have a furry friend, please spay or neuter him or her. If you do not have a companion animal, or your animals are already sterilized, consider donating to Spay Today, which provides reduced-cost spay and neuter surgeries.

3. Buy Cruelty-Free Products. If you believe beauty is more than skin-deep, commit to purchasing only cosmetic and personal care products that were formulated without animal testing. 

4. Meatless Mondays. Improvements in diet are common new year’s resolutions. If you don’t think you can go vegetarian or vegan overnight, try reducing your meat consumption by cutting out meat on Mondays or eat a vegetarian meal once a week. Get yummy and humane recipe ideas here.