April is Animal Cruelty Prevention Month; and it's time to not only celebrate the victories made all over the world in regard to animal cruelty, but to also talk about what exactly animal cruelty is so that you can help fight the abuse in your community. Make sure you spread the word to people everywhere to raise awareness for the animals! Here are five steps you can take to making your community safer for animals.
1. Recognize the signs.
It is never okay to hit or physically abuse an animal. There are plenty of positive based techniques that can be used to handle behavior problems in pets. Other signs of cruelty are dirty, missing fur, flea/tick infested pets, injured, fearful or aggressive pets, repeatedly pregnant pets, emaciated/starving pets, or roaming pets. It is also cruel and illegal to leave pets chained or leave them in extreme weather conditions with no access shelter, food, or water. There is, however, a difference between neglect and cruelty. Some pets exhibiting these signs are being neglected, and unfortunately the owners will not be reprimanded. Education is important; so if you know someone neglecting their animal, try educating them in a non-confrontational way or even offering them some help with their pet.
2. Know who to contact.
Most communities have either an animal shelter or animal control agency with a humane law enforcement officer. Search for who is in charge of your area, and put their contact information in your phone. If you are unable to find the correct agency to contact, call or visit your local police department and ask for their help in enforcing the law.
3. Be proactive.
Without calls from concerned public, law enforcement would not be aware of animal cruelty issues in a community. Don't be indifferent to the cruelty. It is a crime, and those who do it need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Even if you are not 100% sure, it is better to be safe than sorry because the animals cannot speak for themselves. They need those who care to be their voice. Get involved in any way you can to bring a perpetrator to justice, whether it's providing a safe haven for an abused cat, or writing down details and taking pictures of a neglected or injured dog and contacting law enforcement .
4. Know your local and national laws.
Maybe you don't know that in Texas it is illegal to operate as a dog or cat breeder without a license or that in Massachusetts any form of animal abuse or cruelty is punishable by prison. Make sure you keep up to date on your current laws and the proposed laws that may need help through promoting them or making sure that they are not passed. The ASPCA and Michigan State University Law have teamed up to provide a great Database with quick access to the animal-related laws.
5. Talk to kids about treating animals with respect.
Children are sponges. Make sure you talk to your kids about how to properly treat an animal. If you are a teacher, incorporate it into your lessons. In order to make this world a better place, we need to continue to educate. Some kids live in households where their pets are being abused or neglected. Let them know it's okay to help and get them on the right path of caring and understanding that animals are living, breathing, feeling creatures who need to be taken care of.
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