How to Help Animals From Home

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month! Between work, school and family, a lot of us have a hard time squeezing in time to help animals. Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to help save animals that just take a few minutes each day.

Don’t Litter!

Littering is bad for the planet, and the animals! Trash tossed on the road, sidewalk or bodies of water end up polluting this beautiful world around us, and often cause physical harm to wildlife and pets. Straws, plastic bags, wire, soda cans and other waste items can cut, strangle or suffocate curious animals. That chicken wing bone you toss out the car window might be biodegradable, but it can end up causing serious damage to an unsuspecting dog who eyes it on the street. One awesome thing you can do to help is to bring a garbage bag with you on walks with your dog and pick up litter around your neighborhood to keep our earth clean for everyone. 

Of course, there’s more than one way to litter! Each year, thousands of animals overcrowd shelters – many of which are puppies from unwanted litters. By spaying or neutering your dog, you are helping to prevent overcrowding in animal shelters. Give us a call at 214-742-7722 to schedule your pet’s spay/neuter surgery today.

Speak Up!

Your voice matters – that’s why it’s so important to keep in touch with your local, state and federal representatives about this issue that are important to you. That includes animal welfare! Sign up for action alerts with your favorite local or national animal welfare organizations to receive notifications when an important piece of legislation is coming up. Many groups even have pre-written letters and emails where all you have to do is fill in your personal information. The Texas Humane Legislation Network is a wonderful animal welfare lobby group working to improve protections for animals in our state. On the national level, groups like the Humane Society of the United States and ASPCA will have the latest information on federal legislative priorities. 

Go Green!

Making eco-friendly choices can help protect wildlife, the planet, and your pet! 

• Save money and reduce waste by repurposing items like old clothes or cardboard boxes into toys for your pet. 
• Swap your current dog waste bags or cat litter for a biodegradable option.
• Plant bee-friendly flowers to support the local bee populations. While you’re at it, plant some catnip for your kitties to enjoy!
• Reduce or eliminate animal products from your diet. Just going plant-based for one day a week can make an impact on our planet and the animals that inhabit it.

Strut Your Mutt!

The biggest way you can make a difference for local animals from the comfort of your home is to register for Strut Your Mutt: The Race to End Animal Cruelty, presented by Hill’s Pet Nutrition and VCA Animal Hospitals! This virtual 5k is open to everyone, no walking required. While we can’t gather in person this year, you can still help raise funds to fight animal cruelty in our area by signing up at gostrut.org. Form your team and spread the word that the SPCA of Texas needs the support of the North Texas community to continue our efforts to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals in our region.

One person can make a small difference on their own. Hundreds of people together make a big difference! These small, easy actions can really add up to a significant impact for the welfare of animals. Just doing one thing every day makes you a part of the solution!