May is Be Kind to Animals Month

Summary

This article talks about the importance of being gentle toward animals and showing them respect.

The month of May is Be Kind to Animals Month, highlighting the importance of being kind to animals every month! Animals are sentient creatures, just like us, sharing this earth with us, even becoming the best of friends to us. You can positively influence an animal’s life in SO many ways, and it starts with putting yourself in their shoes…or paws. Ready to learn more? Let’s dig in!

Why It’s Important to Be Kind to Animals

Animals Are Feeling Creatures

Just like people, animals are sentient beings who feel all kinds of emotions. And they experience many of the same feelings we do: love, grief, pain, anxiety, friendship, family bonds, unabashed joy. They have good days and bad days. They have fun.

But animals don’t always have a voice. They can’t speak up when things are wrong or vote for change to make things better. That’s why it’s so crucial to be their advocates and support their rights, too.

Many animals depend on people to survive and simply to be good to them in order to have a happy life. Unfortunately, animal neglect, cruelty, and apathy occur all over the world, something that breaks my heart and many other hearts.

If you’re an empath, witnessing injustice can be extra difficult. It can be a helpless feeling. But we can all use our voices together.

Animals Are A Vital Part Of Our Earth’s Ecosystem

Biological diversity brings balance to our earth and, without balance, we’re not in great shape! We need everything from butterflies to bears in order to keep our planet strong and healthy.

One effort to help restore the environmental balance is the microrewilding movement. More cities and individuals are planning and planting greener spaces with flowers, shrubs, and trees to support wildlife and a variety of pollinators.

By planting native flowers, not spraying weed killers, pesticides, and other chemicals, and letting some areas be a little messy, we can rewild our own spaces at home. Even if you don’t have a yard, balconies and patios are great for potted flowers that help butterflies and bees.

Be Kind to Animals: Here’s How

1. Help a Shelter Pet

• Donate money to a dog rescue. A few bucks always helps, so it doesn’t have to be a grand amount.

• Look up a rescue’s donation wish list and drop off supplies (or have them mailed directly through Amazon).

• Advocate for dogs or cats in kill shelters. Share an urgent pet in your stories, boost the algorithm by watching their video several times, liking, commenting, and reposting. You can also tag rescues and pledge a donation to a reputable rescue for their foster.

• Foster a doggie or kitty. This is a free way to care for a pet in dire need. It’s temporary and you’re saving a life.

• Adopt a pet from a shelter instead of a breeder or pet store. I didn’t know much about the shelter crisis until about ten years ago. But there’s a lot of info online about the need to adopt rather than shop.

• Write your local representatives and request better animal protections laws.

Dog Rescues & Advocates to Follow
@this_is_houston
@tofusdreamworld
@gwarp.official
@nycscr
@rescuedogsrocknyc
@iloverescue
@sailorrrsarah

2. Take the Bug Outside (Or Lizard, in My Case)

When we were visiting my parents recently, we found a little lizard hanging out on Cosette’s kennel. Not everyone is a lizard fan, but I thought he (she?) was cute and quite calm for a lizard.

But how were we to save a lizard? They can be very zippy! So, Jon had the superb idea of taking his hat and very slowly scooping it up, while I ran ahead of him yelling, “I’ll get the door!”

Of course, this story has a good ending! We successfully transported our delightful lizard friend to a garden bed, where it could go on many new adventures and see the world, if so inclined.

Be careful when rescuing little bugs or creatures, so you don’t hurt yourself or them!

When I was a kid, I adopted a caterpillar from the yard
and decided this would be my pet.
I got a jar, added some sticks and leaves,
and kept it in my room, watching and waiting
for it to become a butterfly.

Slowly, this caterpillar formed a cocoon
and, one night, it broke out,
transformed not into a butterfly,
but a moth.

It started to fly,
but injured its wing
in the flurry of exiting the jar
and me and my mom trying to catch it
so we could release her (him?) outside.

The little moth
didn’t make it,
so I took it outside
and placed it on a tree limb
and CRIED.

My young heart was broken.
But I always remembered
what one tiny life
taught me.
That they mattered.

3. Skip Yard Chemicals & Pesticides

Pesticides and weed killers also kill important pollinators…and that’s no good!

They take away essential insects that feed other creatures, like birds…and that’s no good, too!

They rapidly decline the lightning bug population…very, very not good!

Try a more natural yard instead.

There are many plants that help suppress weeds and act as beautiful groundcovers. Here are a few I am trying:

• English Ivy: This one is controversial, but if the only controversy I get into at this point is about English Ivy, I’m doing pretty good! If you choose this plant, be ready to maintain it periodically, by trimming and making sure it doesn’t climb up trees or into your house soffit. It’s very lush, but it can take over.

• Bugleweed: Also one groundcover people love or hate because it’s a super fast spreader. I just bought one plant and am trying it near some poison ivy that has been plaguing me for years!

• Creeping Thyme: I’m going to plant these seeds this year and will report back!

• Strawberries: Also trying this one out and I’m very excited!

• Hostas: Hostas are less groundcover, per se, and more full-on plant, but act as wonderful weed suppressants and are gorgeous. There’s nothing like a verdant hosta garden! Hostas are also very, very easy to grow, keep alive, thin out, and transplant.

• Wild Violets: This is a natural, native flower choice that you probably already have! Some people don’t love these if they want that perfect, green carpet lawn, but I don’t want that perfect green carpet lawn. I want a safe place for butterflies and bumblebees and bunnies and birds! Wild violets spread rapidly, so just make sure you watch your other plants so that they don’t take over. But the purple flowers look quite magical in the spring. This is a helpful article I found on wild violets if you’d like to know more.

4. Sign Petitions

We can’t do everything alone, but we can do a lot together. Organizations like the ones below advocate for animals through education and signatures from the people. And with enough group effort, it’s possible to help more animals.

And just a disclaimer: These animal advocacy organizations address some very tough and sad situations, so if this affects your mental health, know what subject matter you can and cannot delve into.

• Friends of the Earth
• Lady Freethinker
• Cuddly
• Center for Biological Diversity
• The Ocean Conservancy
• PETA
• Rainforest Foundation

5. Try a Vegan or Vegetarian Meal

Many restaurants and grocery stores sell the Impossible Burger or another veggie or plant-based patty. They’re very tasty!

Eating less animal products is a kindness to sentient beings and helps build awareness of the suffering that they endure.

And just to be kind to YOU, too: People may yell at me for this, but it’s not always easy to go meat-free or vegan 100% of the time. Factors like meat-loving partners, friends, and family, elevated prices, meal-planning skills (or lack of, in my case), and even hard-to-beat cravings can be potential hurdles even when your heart is truly in the right place.

Related: Be Kind to Animals

GoodAll Day is April 3rd: Honoring Dr. Jane Goodall and Her Work

Zero-Waste Makeup Sticks That Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

How to Do Laundry the Eco-Friendly Way

6. Show Kindness to Birds

There are lots of ways to be kind to birds. Here are a few things you can add to your outdoor space or routine:

• Hummingbird feeder
• Birdseed feeder
• Nesting holder
• Birdbath
• Birdhouse
• Hostas and other flowers hummingbirds like
• Decals or a wreath: Add these to clear windows to help prevent birds from flying into them and hurting themselves or dying.
• Cleaning up: Pick up your garbage from the beach, especially plastic.
• Empathy: Cut up plastic soda rings or other packaging that birds and critters can get tangled in.
• Natural leaf litter, small sticks, and bushy shrubs: Let some leaves stay, break up sticks so they can use them for their nests, and keep your evergreen shrubs fluffy so that they can rest and hide.
• Tree planting: I planted a bunch of junipers in my front yard and they have made such beautiful homes for the birds. Lots of different evergreen trees can provide shelter and comfort for our feathery friends.

7. Provide Fresh Water for Pollinators

Use a small, shallow dish, add rocks or seashells so that small bees and butterflies have a place to stand, then pour in fresh water!

8. Share with Kids Why We Should Be Kind to Animals

It’s important to teach kids respect for animals through gentleness, proper care, and safe interactions. And with young people always being the next to lead, it’s also vital to start them out with consideration for others, which includes the furry, feathery, and scaly among us.

• Model kind and caring behavior toward animals by speaking gently and showing affection.
• Include kids in caring for their pets: helping fill the water bowl, feeding them, taking them on walks.
• Read books about dogs. My book, Bear Strong, is about an inspiring true story and all profits go to the rescue, ThisIsHouston.
• Watch movies and documentaries about animals.
• Have kids help with donating to a pet rescue by creating a birthday fundraiser.
• Teach kids to lovingly pet dogs, cats, and other animals and to not taunt them, like pulling tails or hitting.
• Share Jane Goodall’s message and the program she created specifically for youth, called Roots & Shoots.

9. Buy Cruelty-Free & Vegan Products

Today, there are many household, beauty, apparel, and food products you can choose from, skipping those less progressive brands that test on animals. And I will list some of my faves below!

Cruelty-Free Beauty Products

1. Axiology: This brand is cruelty-free, vegan, and super eco-friendly. Their makeup sticks come in compostable papers and there are so many choices of colors for all skin tones.
2. Oliver Flynn: Found on a whim while on a business trip in NYC, I’ve immediately become a fan. This brand also makes cruelty-free, vegan, and earth-friendly lip balms in compostable tubes. The scents are dreamy and the feel of the product is, too!
3. Vegamour: I love Vegamour’s shampoo and hair serum! It absolutely has thickened my hair and made it healthier. On their website, they say they are “proudly 100% cruelty-free.”
4. e.l.f.: This is one of my favorite affordable makeup brands. They have excellent products, while never testing on animals. They are Leaping Bunny and PETA certified.
5. Naeli: This is quality product that comes in glass containers. I love Naeli’s eye cream for dark circles. They’re on PETA’s list for cruelty-free

10. Avoid the Circus & Tourist Attractions Like Elephant, Camel, Donkey, and Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

Circuses and other attractions have reputations for some bad behind-the-scenes treatment of the animals. Try to be as judicious as possible when considering any event or entertainment activity that includes animals as rides, props, or showpieces.

11. Support Businesses That Value Animal Welfare

Some companies give a portion of their sales to causes like animal rights, environmental advocacy, and wildlife protections. Keep a lookout for these brands when shopping or chatting with pals!

Rascal is a wine brand that gives a donation to dog rescues with each bottle purchased. (If you’re under 21, find an alternative way to donate to animals!)

When you buy from makers or artisans on Etsy, sometimes you can find specific causes that your purchase helps to support.

This is just about paying attention and using your money as your voice.

Conclusion: Be Kind to Animals Month

Thank you for caring for animals and working toward a more compassionate future. What are some ideas you have for Be Kind to Animals month? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

You Might Also Like

How to Honor the Memory of Dr. Jane Goodall and Continue Her Legacy

23+ Charming DIY Gift Basket Ideas That Show You Know Them Well

DIY Gift Ideas For Your Bestie When You’re Totally Broke