Not only is this National Pet Week, it’s also Be Kind to Animals Week! First celebrated in 1915, Be Kind to Animals Week promotes animal welfare and the roles that animals play in our lives. People are encouraged to treat animals humanely and to encourage others, especially children, to do the same.
There are many ways we can be kind to animals:
Adoption: Every year, an estimated 3.7 million animals must be euthanized at our nation’s shelters because they could not be adopted into loving homes. Help animals find a second chance at happiness by adopting your next pet from your local shelter or rescue group. American Humane Association has tips to find the animal companion that’s right for you and develop a bond that will last a lifetime.
Take Proper Care of your Pets: Pets are like children who never grow up. They need you to help keep them healthy and safe throughout their lives. Pets need food, water, shelter, exercise, and medical care, just as people do. Visit your veterinarian regularly for preventative care, not just when your pet is ill. Know what it takes to be a responsible pet owner.
Wildlife: With constant building and expansion, we are quickly encroaching on wild animals’ living spaces. Wild animals live all around us, from insects & birds, to squirrels, to raccoons and deer. Just because we move in, doesn’t mean they must move out. All animals deserve to be treated humanely -- family pets and animals in the wild. Create an inviting space in your yard and garden for butterflies, hummingbirds and other creatures.
If wildlife comes too close to home, look for ways to coexist with animals or to protect your property humanely. If you need help dealing with wildlife in or around your home, please contact the
Report animal abuse: Animal cruelty and abuse is not only tragic for animals, but also an indicator that other forms of abuse such as domestic violence could be happening. If you see something that looks suspicious -- a dog chained in your neighbor’s yard that looks underfed, a child putting a cat in a box and kicking it around the yard -- don’t hesitate. Let someone know.
In Franklin County, Ohio, animal cruelty abuse & neglect complaints are handled by humane officers at the Capital Area Humane Society. All reports of cruelty to animals are taken seriously by the Capital Area Humane Society. To report cruelty, animal abandonment or cases of animal fighting, please contact the Capital Area Humane Society at (614) 777-7387, ext. 250 to reach confidential voicemail. Please be prepared to provide the street address and zip code of the property where the animal is located. All calls are confidential. For more information, you may also visit their website at http://www.cahs-pets.org/programs/enforcement.htm.
Brought to you in part by the American Humane Association for Be Kind to Animals Week.