You can make a difference!

There are many examples of animal cruelty and abuse that can be stopped through simple changes you can make in your everyday life.

You Can Help the Animals

• Always neuter your pet - too many abandoned, starving dogs and cats roam the streets of Guatemala.
• Think carefully before adopting a pet.
  An animal friend will love and protect you and should be considered part of the family, for life. Always adopt your new pet from a shelter like the AWARE shelter or a similar refuge for stray animals. This decision can save an animal's life.
• Please don't wear fur, leather or ivory products or buy any gifts made from animals.
  Wild animals have had their freedom stolen and their lives brutally taken from them in the name of fashion.
  Click here to order the shopping guide to nonleather products from the People for the Ethical Treatement for Animals (PETA)
• When buying cosmetics, always choose "cruelty free" products. Thus you can help to end the suffering of millions of animals worldwide that are subjected to the abuses of cosmetic testing.
• Throughout America animals are kept chained or caged to attract tourists at hotels and other public places.
  Politely voice your concern to the management, making them aware of your objections and say that you will not support or re-visit their facility if they continue to keep animals in this manner.
• Perhaps you think that zoos, circuses and aquariums are educational and exciting?
  In reality, captivity is a torment for most wild animals and the training and everyday handling that institutionalized animals receive is frequently abusive. Click here to learn about the truth of performing animals.
• Please don't consume any dish that contains wild or endangered species.
  Many people throughout the world are recognizing the health and environmental benefits of a vegetarian diet. Animals bred for consumption suffer as a result of confinement, transportation and slaughter.
• Refuse to participate in school laboratory experiments that use animals.
  Suggest curriculum alternatives to your teachers such as films, computer demonstrations and non-animal models that are widely available.
• If you live in, or are travelling in Guatemala and you observe incidences of animal abuse please let us know, detailing the incident, time and exact location. Whilst we cannot always take direct action it will assist us in cataloging abuse and prioritizing our efforts.
• Volunteer at the AWARE shelter, to take care of some of our dogs and cats. We always need some help!
• Subscribe to our regular newsletter which will keep you informed of our major campaigns and show how You Can Help.

Activities

1. Raise money – donate money

Our friends urgently need:

• Animal doctors (veterinary care) to treat their wounds and spay or neuter them
• Blankets and towels
• Metal food bowls
• Delicious and nutritious food
• Toys to make their lives happier
• Flea treatment

The Animal Aware shelter needs money to help the dogs and cats in Guatemala. Both small or bigger amounts of money can help them. For example you could donate $10 which would pay an animal’s meals for one week or you could give them one blanket for $5. To see what else they need and what it costs, check list of needs. To donate money click here.

Maybe you would like to raise more money and help a dog or a cat to get veterinary care for $50, for example if they need to be operated so they do not have any more babies. In this case you might need to ask some people for a donation. Here are some ideas for you:

Organize a campaign in school and collect money

Organize a market:

• Craft objects (papier maché animals, print gift wrap paper with dogs and cats) and sell them.
• Collect things you don’t need anymore (books, games) and sell them.
• Think about your own ideas!
• You could write letters to people you know explaining to them why it is necessary to rescue and help the dogs and cats and how they can help by donating money.

With a bit of initiative and application, you can both make a considerable difference to the lives of animals in Guatemala, and engage in projects that are both fulfilling and instructive. Please let us know what you are planning, and we’ll help out in any way we can.

2. Make a difference!

You can make a difference by learning what else you can do to help animals with changes you can make in your everyday life.

3. Make a better world!

You have "KID POWER”!

You can help to make a better world for people and wildlife! As a young person you have time, energy and technology on your side! Here are some ways YOU can make a difference in your community:

• Help develop a flower garden for the butterflies and hummingbirds, put up bird boxes and feeders, and plant trees.
• Join an organization which is working on conservation projects.
• Pick up litter. Not only does it help the land but it can save the lives of wild animals who may be lured by garbage to roads and neighborhoods.
• Recycle, reuse, and reduce wastes to save resources. This will save valuable land for wildlife and people.
• Ask your teacher if your class can learn about wild animals and what people can do to coexist peacefully with wildlife.
• When hiking or camping practice "Leave No Trace.”