Whether it’s the thrill of seeing a whale spouting in the ocean, the pleasure of watching wild birds in our backyards, or being on the receiving end of our companion animals’ unconditional love and devotion, our animal friends are a true gift. Non-human animals give us so much and yet are often at our mercy, depending on us for help. While we should certainly Be Kind to Animals all year long, the holidays are a good time to reflect on how we can help a little more. Here are ten ideas for what you can do for animals this holiday season (and beyond):
Volunteer at a local animal shelter. An offer of your time -- whether helping socialize animals at a shelter or fostering them at home -- is always appreciated. For a long list of area shelters, visit: http://muttcats.com/shelters/oregon.htm. Better yet, adopt a shelter animal yourself if you can, and make sure they’re spayed/neutered.
Create a backyard refuge. It takes some time, but the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be giving urban wildlife what they really need. Providing food, water and shelter -- preferably with native plants -- is essential and better than just providing food via birdfeeders that are often problematic. Grow evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, forbs and ferns, make water available at all times, don’t use chemicals, and you will be the hit of the neighborhood. For more detailed suggestions: http://www.nwrenovation.com/26gardeningforbirds.html. Don’t have a yard? Sign up with Friends of Trees, a non-profit group that plants trees on Portland city streets and in nearby natural areas. Or talk a friend or relative into planting a native tree!
Don’t buy products with any amount of fur. With all the faux fur available, there’s absolutely no reason to support the barbaric, bloody fur trade. For more info: http://www.furkills.org/
Support the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon. FCCO neutered its 30,000th cat in 2007 and they’re well on their way to preventing more suffering of feral cats’ offspring – by preventing more cats from being born into the miserable, wretched lives most of them lead. You can find out about donating or volunteering at: http://www.feralcats.com/
Plan a vacation around animals next year. Nonessential travel using fossil fuels is a sore subject these days, so why not put your hankerin’ to travel to good use and get directly involved? Countless organizations that benefit animals offer volunteer and internship opportunities. There’s something for everyone: EarthWatch Institute offers expedition-like, worldly endeavors; closer to home, Lighthouse Farm Animal Sanctuary works to help previously abused or unwanted farmed animals get a second chance.
Adopt an endangered animal in someone’s name. Nothing says happy holidays like a symbolic adoption. For the wildlife enthusiast in your life, consider, for example, sponsoring a chimpanzee in Cameroon, a snow leopard in Himalaya, a manatee in Florida or endangered seals, turtles and whales through Hawaii Wildlife Fund. One size fits all.
Don’t buy products tested on animals. Using animals to test chemicals and products is outdated and unnecessary. For those companies whose products are worthy of the leaping bunny logo, check out: http://www.leapingbunny.org/shopping_guide.htm. For a list of companies that still test on animals, visit: http://www.thevegetariansite.com/ethics_test.htm.
Offer animal-sitting services. If you know of a dog who’s alone all day, particularly one who’s tethered for long periods, offer to walk him/her and lavish attention as you do. If friends say they can’t afford a cat-sitter while they’re away, give them a gift of your time that will help both kitty and your friend.
Buy shade-grown coffee. Most of the coffee imported by the U.S. is grown under conditions that severely damage the habitat of migratory birds and other animals like tigers and orangutans; in some cases sensitive rainforest is destroyed forever. Shade-grown coffee plantations, however, provide habitat for birds, mammals, amphibians and insects, maintain soil quality, control erosion and reduce or eliminate the need for insecticides and herbicides. My personal favorite is Café Mam, whose organic and shade-grown beans are roasted in Eugene, just before shipping … when you open the bags it smells like it was just roasted! The company also supports pesticide reform groups and is fair trade and socially responsible. Nothing tastes better than that.
Respect them; don’t eat them. Need I say more?