May 6-12, 2108 is Be Kind to Animals Week. The first Be Kind to Animals Week was designated by the American Humane Society in 1915 and has occurred every year since during the first full week of May. Be Kind to Animals Week is the oldest commemorative week in U.S. history, and the nation’s longest-running humane education campaign. While I hope people are kind to animals all year, this week provides a good reminder of things we can do to help and show appreciation for our pets and animals in the wild. I love and totally agree with this quote by Gandhi:
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged to the way its animals are treated. I hold that the more helpless a creature the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of humankind."
Here are a few ways to celebrate Be Kind to Animals Week:
Take good care of your pets
Your pets rely on you to keep them safe and healthy. Please be a responsible pet owner and take your pets to the vet regularly, feed them healthy food, make sure they're wearing ID tags or have them chipped if possible, ensure that they get plenty of exercise, and give them your time and attention. Maybe during Be Kind to Animals Week you can do something special for your pet such as taking your dog for an extra long walk, to the dog park, or on a hike or giving your pet extra attention/playtime.
Adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue group
Every year, millions of animals are euthanized in shelters. You can help by adopting your next pet from a shelter or rescue group. There are wonderful shelters and rescue groups in this area including Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, Asheville Humane Society, Charlies Angels, Sarge's Animal Rescue Foundation, Furever Friends Animal Rescue Network, and Animal Haven of Asheville. You can change a shelter or rescue animal's life (and your own too) by adopting an animal through one of these groups.
Appreciate wildlife
All animals--whether family pets or wild animals--deserve humane treatment and a safe environment in which to live. You can help by making a concerted effort to drive cautiously and slow down or stop when you see an animal in or near the road. You can also create a space in your yard or garden for butterflies, birds and other animals by taking actions such as putting out bird houses or feeders or planting butterfly attracting plants like milkweed. If wildlife come close to your home, look for ways to coexist or protect your property humanely.
Report Animal Abuse
If you witness or even suspect any kind of animal abuse or neglect, be sure to report it. You may save an animal's life or at least improve its living conditions.
Our pets and other animals give us so much more than we give them. Let's make a point to honor and celebrate them and remember, this week and rest of the year, to show them how much we appreciate and value them and their contributions to our making our lives so much better.
"Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty."
Albert Einstein