| Chances are that when you look around your | | | | Remember, you might be the only lifeline for that |
| home, you see one or more four-legged | | | | injured or neglected pet. Watch, listen, and call. |
| creatures gazing patiently back at you: dogs and | | | | Carry a completed free wallet card from at all |
| cats. Recent pet industry statistics show that | | | | times, so important phone numbers are handy |
| over 63% of American homes keep pets, and | | | | (make extras for friends and family members). A |
| that over 40% of pet-owners think of their pets | | | | caller can be anonymous and the call only takes a |
| as highly-valued members of the family. People of | | | | few minutes. When in doubt, let a professional |
| all ages, colors, religions, and political persuasions | | | | decide--call. |
| share a profound and fulfilling love for pets. This | | | | 3. Share a small portion of your pocketbook with |
| devotion lightens the dark reality of a nation and | | | | your nearest humane society or rescue. Consider |
| world where animal cruelty is rampant. | | | | giving small gifts regularly, such as $5 every |
| In America, homeless dog and cat euthanasias | | | | month. You'll feel the love every time you lick the |
| number between four to six million dogs and cats | | | | envelope. This therapy helps to relieve some |
| every year, according to estimates made by the | | | | worries about homeless pets in your area. |
| Humane Society of the United States. (Actual | | | | 4. Avoid all fur-trimmed products, no matter how |
| numbers are not collected.) Rescue organizations | | | | small. Fur farmers in some parts of the world skin |
| in major cities such as St. Louis report as many | | | | animals alive to maintain fur quality, and many of |
| as 50,000 homeless dogs and cats roam within | | | | these pathetic animals are actually dogs and cats; |
| their boundaries, many sick and starving. | | | | their fur is later intentionally mislabeled as other |
| Uncontrolled breeding is the root cause of these | | | | fur to bypass American fur import restrictions. |
| shocking truths. Knowledge of the vast problem | | | | Don't put dollars in their pockets. |
| can feel overwhelming to an animal-lover. | | | | 5. Purchase personal care products that are not |
| What can one person do? You can make a | | | | tested on animals. Read labels. Make it your policy. |
| difference in your corner of the world--never | | | | It might cost a bit more, but you won't be putting |
| doubt it. Remember that all changes in the world | | | | your money in the hands of research laboratories |
| originally started with one person. Take these 5 | | | | that use dogs, cats and other animals to test |
| simple guidelines to heart. | | | | products. Many dogs and cats in laboratories are |
| 1. Be a faithful and loving parent to your own "fur | | | | suspected of being stolen from homes and sold |
| family." You have more influence than you know. | | | | to research facilities. If a pet of yours has |
| Your high standards for pet care will influence | | | | disappeared under mysterious circumstances, you'll |
| your friends and family to be better pet | | | | understand why this industry practice must be |
| "parents," too. Spay or neuter your pets, train | | | | stopped. |
| your young pets well, and care tenderly for your | | | | Help relieve animal suffering consistently as you |
| elderly pets. It's not always easy or inexpensive, | | | | travel through your busy days, and the essence |
| but it's always the right thing to do. | | | | of loving kindness will shine in your heart. The "u" |
| 2. Train yourself to be a better Good Samaritan | | | | in humane also means uplift. |
| for pets by being more alert to pet suffering. | | | | |