Animal Awareness / Local Action Network

Local Action Network

Awareness of global issues is important, but never ignore suffering on your own street and in your home town or city. If you don't speak up for the animals in your area, then who will?

Acting Locally to End Animal Suffering

One reason why it is so important to speak out when you see animal suffering in your local area is because animals cannot speak for themselves. If you keep quiet then the members of your community will never know that they should be accountable for their actions and that their action (or inaction) has serious consequences that cause animal suffering.

One great way to act locally to alleviate animal suffering is to speak out to your neighbors when you feel that they are acting inappropriately toward animals. If you see animals in a pet store that have bad conditions, speak up. Also, if you see a dog left in a car on a hot day, immediately call the police who will open the car door if it is locked. Another way to act locally is to leaflet about animal issues at your local stores. Animal Awareness can help you plan your peaceful protest and public education demonstration. If you don't spread animal awareness to the members of your own community, then who will? Animals need people to step up to the plate and choose to get involved. They cannot speak for themselves, so their only hope is YOU.

If a family moves away and you still see their animal in the neighborhood, don't assume that it was given to another neighbor. Most of the time, that animal has been abandoned. Ask around. Other neighbors talk and someone will know if the animal does in fact need a home. If there are elderly people in your area, ask them if they need help caring for their animals even if you don't see specific forms of abuse. If they do say they are having difficulty, you don't have to take on the tasks yourself. Many local boys or girls clubs would be happy to stop by now and then to help out. They just need someone in the neighborhood to alert them that they are needed.

Why You Should Confront Your Neighbor

So often, only one or two neighbors might notice an animal who is suffering. If those couple of people don't do anything, then that animal is doomed to live out his life in that situation. If you are one of the people who notices the suffering, turning your back and doing nothing allows the abuse to continue. When faced with a choice between a living-being suffering for a lifetime, or one's momentary uncomfortableness toward getting involved, eliminating the animal suffering should always come first.

Due to the fact that animals in our communities are caged, chained, and domesticated they are not able to take care of themselves at all. It's not that animals are incapable of caring for themselves naturally, but when humans cage, chain, and domesticate them then we have now made them reliant on us. When we choose to do this, it is now our responsibility to follow through and be responsible for their needs. Too often, people cater to the needs of animals only when it is convenient, which leaves the animal to suffer the rest of the time. It is up to conscientious neighbors to notice that an animal's needs are not being met and to step in to help that animal.

Before calling animal control authorities or humane societies, talk to your neighbor first. They will appreciate the fact that you went directly to them and didn't opt to just get them in trouble without giving them the opportunity to correct the situation on their own.

Some states have different statutes and codes that specifically outline the protection rights of animals, but basically all animals, by law, have the right to regular fresh clean food and water as well as proper shelter, protection from the weather, proper air, and necessary veterinary care, which includes grooming as well as medical care. Domestic animals such as dogs, cats, and horses have additional protection from violent acts in most states. If the offender does not correct the situation within a reasonable time frame, then definitely call your local humane society. Animal protection laws don't do any good if they are not enforced. If you are the only one witnessing abusive behavior then it is up to you to take the proper steps to have the animal's protection enforced.

Some people ask, "Why should I take the time to prevent animal suffering when there are people suffering in the world?" The response to that is that we should all do what we can to prevent ANY suffering when we see it happening. If you see human suffering in your local area, then by all means, step in. First, talk to the people causing the suffering and if there is no resolution, contact the proper authorities. If the human suffering is something where a law is being violated, contact the authorities first. You don't want to put your own life in danger if someone is acting in a criminal manner. The police are trained to handle those situations properly.

Remember that one of the best reasons to speak up when you see any suffering in your community is to set a good example to the children. If they see teenagers and adults acting compassionately then they will follow your example and begin to act more compassionately towards both animals and humans.

How To Confront Your Neighbor

Many people claim that they did not step in because they are unfamiliar with the needs of certain animals, therefore they did not know if their neighbor was truly being neglectful. Call a vet if you have specific questions about certain breeds, but let basic common sense guide you if you are unsure. During the cold of winter no animal should be caged in someone's backyard.

Confronting your neighbor does not have to be stressful and you should not use an angry tone. If you show true concern with a pleasant manner and not sound judgmental of the way they live their life, then you will be off to a good start helping their animal. Often, people hesitate to confront a neighbor's animal abuse and neglect because they don't want to cause tension. It is important to still speak up even if you don't want to do it in person. You can always just leave a letter for them in their mailbox. You can even do it anonymously. If you do not want your neighbor to know who it is that is complaining, just sign it "a concerned neighbor." Even when being anonymous, it is still vital that you are polite, respectful, and not judgemental. But, if you do feel that you can sign your name, that would be best. That way your neighbor will be able to come and ask for advice on the matter and possibly even thank your for bringing this to their attention.

In the letter don't assume that the neighbors is being neglectful on purpose. Provide them with information about how their actions are having a negative impact on the animal and what steps they could take to correct the situation. Then, the most important step. Towards the end politely mention that you hope that the neighbor heeds your advice so that you won't have to take this matter to the proper authorities. This is the firm part of the note that lets them know that you will be watching for improvement and that you are willing to pursue the matter further.

Dogs Deserve Better (DDB) is a non-profit organization that works solely on the issue of chaining/tethering dogs. DDB has a pre-written, non-aggressive letter for the caretakers of dogs chained in your community. They will even sign and send the letter for you, if you are nervous to do it yourself. They are working towards educating people and actually building fences and dog houses to make the lives of these animals better.

Report Local Abuse

By far, the most complete source of information about specific state and local animal abuse protection statutes and codes is your local library. Check the county and state law books in the reference section.

Since reading through statutes and codes can be challenging, it is also good to contact your local humane society, shelter, or police department for guidance about local laws. A local vet may also be familiar with animal protection codes in your area. Always ask to talk directly to a doctor when you call a vet.

Specific Types of Facilities **

Here are some pointers on problems to look for in various types of facilities, what laws apply, and who is responsible for inspecting each type of facility.

Zoos

What to Look For: Are the animals in good health? Can people get too close to the animals? What form of population control is used? What happens to surplus animals?
What Laws Apply: Animal Welfare Act; state anti-cruelty statutes.
Who Inspects: USDA/APHIS; local law enforcement.

Exhibitors and Traveling Animal Shows

What to Look For: Physical condition; abnormal stereotypic behavior; unnecessary suffering; travel accommodations.
What Laws Apply: Animal Welfare Act; state anti-cruelty statutes; commercial laws; zoning regulations.
Who Inspects: USAD/APHIS; local law enforcement.

Dog Dealers, Wildlife Dealers and Auctions

What to Look For: Physical condition; overcrowding; selling endangered species without the required permit.
What Laws Apply: Animal Welfare Act; state anti-cruelty statutes; Endangered Species Act (if selling endangered species)
Who Inspects: USDA/APHIS; local law enforcement; US Fish & Wildlife Service.

Animal Shelters

What to Look For: Conditions at shelter; method of euthanasia; adequate veterinary care; employee reliability & attitude.
What Laws Apply: State anti-cruelty statutes; local ordinances.
Who Inspects: County & state officials.

Pet Stores

What to Look For: Sanitation; physical health; overcrowding; selling endangered species.
What Laws Apply: Animal Welfare Act (if selling wild animals); state anti-cruelty statutes; health regulations.
Who Inspects: USDA/APHIS (if selling wild animals); local law enforcement; state health department; state department of environment.

** Data provided by PETA

Contact Other Activists

Staying in contact with other activists is important for many reasons. It helps to discuss issues with other like-minded people. Together we can come up with some effective and creative solutions to the many challenges that face the animal rights movement. Knowing that other caring people are out there and feel the same way that you do helps to revitalize your commitment to the animal rights cause.

Animal Awareness has started a disscussion group so that members can send messages to each other who are on the list. This is the best way to share ideas, ask questions, and organize events in the Baltimore and surrounding areas. Many notable members of the large national organizations are also members, so you are also encouraged to ask questions about finding a career path that helps the plight of animal and spreads compassion. To ask a question, feel free to contact us.

If you are ready to join the discussion group, it is a two step process:

Type your email address in the form below and click the "Join Now" button.

Send the group moderator your name, reason for wanting to join, and what area of interest most concerns you. Thank you.

We encourage discussion of the many animal rights topics including vegan and organic options for daily living. Animal products can be found in so many obscure places that finding them all alone can be impossible. Even with the help of others, it is still a daunting task. We encourage people to do the best they can to eliminate animal products from their lives but also recommend not feeling stress and guilt about it. As long as you are eliminating the major sources of meat, milk, and eggs, you are doing your part towards ending animal suffering.

When talking with other activists, we discourage judgmental insinuations that someone is not being vegan enough. No one on this planet can actually claim to be 100% vegan unless they are living on a commune somewhere growing their own food, making their own clothes, and walking everywhere they need to go. Therefore judgmental comments have no merit. Plus, people who are doing their part by eliminating the major animal sources should be commended for their efforts, not ridiculed ever. We do encourage discussion of these topics but in a constructive, educational, and friendly context. Becoming vegan is a gradual process as we learn about the many sources of animal products in our lives. Friendly discussion about vegan alternatives is the best way to move closer toward the goal of being vegan.