Our pets are our family and as pet parents, we strive to keep our furry family members safe and protected. Did you know that this week is National Justice for Animals Week? After doing a little research I discovered this event was created by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF). This annual event occurs the last week of February each year. This year National Justice for Animals week is February 21-27, 2021 and according to the ALDF website, this annual event is committed to raising public awareness around crimes committed against animals.
Animal Legal Defense Fund Mission
As a pet parent and animal lover, we can make a difference. So, what does this look like? ALDF suggests a few tips. We can promote the prevention of animal cruelty by educating ourselves and learn what criminal cruelty is under the law. By building stronger laws, preventing abuse, and holding abusers accountable we can help uphold the interests of animal cruelty victims.
The ALDF works within the legal system to help protect the lives and interests of animals in different ways. One way in which ALDF makes an impact is by filing high-impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm and provide free legal assistance and training to prosecutors to ensure animal abusers are held accountable for their crimes. This organization supports strict animal protection legislation, contests legislation harmful to animals, and provides resources and opportunities to law students and professionals looking to grow in the emerging field of animal law.
To learn more about the Animal Legal Defense Fund, visit their website here.
So how can I help?
With this new information in mind combined with my own experience, here are 8 steps to help promote animal welfare and support National Justice for Animals Week.
- Educate yourself with your state animal protection laws.
- Learn which agencies in your town are responsible for responding to criminal animal cruelty. Have a plan on how to report to them if you witness a crime against an animal.
- Learn how to spot abuse. This includes neglect.
- Make your vote count. Support local representatives that support legislation that helps protect animals. Spread the word and share information.
- Use your dollars to support companies that support the ethical treatment of animals. Spend your dollars with stores that do not condone animal cruelty. Buy products you know do not test on animals. Do not support puppy mills. Adopt from a shelter and save a life.
- Volunteer or Donate $$– Dedicate some of your time to supporting local animal organizations that promote no-kill. If you do not have the extra time or energy to donate your time, give your monetary support to responsible organizations that support the ethical treatment of animals.
- Connect with the Animal Legal Defense Fund on social media. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
- Be the example you want to see! Most importantly, be an example of the world you want to see. Take small steps daily to provide a high quality of life for your pet. This includes keeping your pet up to date with their annual visits, microchipping or keeping tags on your pet, and feeding them the best quality food that matches your budget. Additionally, spending quality time together and being a responsible pet parent are all important ways you can support justice for animals.
Final Thoughts
To summarize, those are 8 simple ways to support animals in honor of National Justice for Animals Week. Our pets and animals without homes do not have a voice, so it is important we do what we can to support their well-being. Animals provide so much to us in all facets of our lives, it is important we do our part to help in any way we can.
Let me know in the comments below, did you know about National Justice for Animals Week? In what ways will you help support this event? Do you have any other helpful tips? Share your thoughts.
Don’t forget to pin and share this post with a friend!
Sources:
https://www.petplace.com/article/general/pet-health/national-justice-for-animals-week/
19 Comments
Renee
These are all easy to follow tips. Live the infographic! Honestly I never knew about the Animal Legal Defense fund. I’ll have to check them out.
Michelle & The Paw Pack
Those are great, simple ways that everyone can do to help improve the lives of animals. Thanks for sharing!
Admin
You’re welcome!
Danelle St. Clair
It’s so important to know what to look for and who to contact. Such great information here! I’m a pet sitter and I see it almost everyday (NOT with my clients thankfully) but I drive to/from clients homes all over town and the country roads at all hours everyday. I thankfully have my list of who to call depending on the situation. These animals need our help.
Admin
Danelle,
Well said and I’m glad this post resonated with you. Bless you for the services you provide pet parents!
Jana Rade
Sadly, one can still see instances when people get a dog and then neglect or abuse it. I always believed that before getting a dog one should acquire an “owner license.”
Admin
That would be a great idea Jana. That reminds me of a time when I volunteered for a different organization and hearing people complain the adoption process. A small few complained the process was so extensive and thorough (including a home visit). I liked that fact to screen out the responsible potential adopters vs. those that were not. The organization did everything it could to place cats in safe, loving homes.
Britt K
This is so important! We have to do what we can to speak up for those that can’t speak up for themselves. That’s why we have been so active in the world of animal rescue, working to give a second chance to animals that deserve that and more. You’ve made some great points on here of ways that we can work to make a difference. Even if something feels small or insignificant, it all adds up if we’re all willing to do our part!
Admin
Britt,
Well said!
Marjorie Dawson
There are cats I will never forget including Tiger murdered by a vat who then displayed her photo on Facebook and all hell broke loose. With luck she will never practice again.
We are the voice of the voiceless. We need to speak up about the abuse of animals and make sure owners are punished with more severe laws than we all have now.
Great tips and I will share this lots!
Admin
Marjorie,
Well said!! And thank you!
Rebecca Sanchez
Such an important post – will share. We worked with the ALDF in Washington on a very bad abuse case. Broke my heart – but good work was done! Thank you for covering this topic.
Admin
Rebecca,
Thank you and I’m glad this resonated with you too. Thanks for sharing!
Beth
What a great post! Thanks for sharing these important steps that we can take to help animals. I always try to support cruelty-free companies and will check out the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Admin
Beth,
You’re welcome and I do the same as well. Investing our dollars with companies that are cruelty-free is for me!
Cathy Armato
Thank you so much for sharing this, I was unaware of National Justice for Animals Week. I can’t believe I didn’t know about it, since I volunteered at a county animal shelter for years! We recently moved to another state so I’m going to learn more about how animal cruelty is handled in our new town and get involved by sharing their messages online. I just followed the ALDF across social – thanks for providing the links. With the disturbing news about Lady Gaga’s dogs being stolen this week (thankfully they’ve been recovered unharmed) it has really rattled me. Dog theft is on the rise and it’s heartbreaking. I’m a huge proponent of microchipping, in addition to ID tags. A chip is the only permanent way of identifying your pet, other than a DNA profile. Great post!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Admin
Cahty,
Thank you so much! I also didn’t know about Justice for Animals week too. I’m happy to share and spread the word. Yes! I was shocked to hear that news with Lady Gaga’s dogs too. But more relieved they were returned to her safely. I’ll never understand what some people are thinking, smh.
Sweet Purrfections
Thank you for sharing this information. I hadn’t heard of this recognition week. I need to add it to the weekly planner next year.
Admin
You’re welcome!