April is prevention of cruelty to animals month- you can help

Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in the May/June 2016 issue of Catster print magazine. Click here to subscribe to Catster magazine.

I wish that certain special, commemorative months or days didn’t have to exist. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, held annually in April, is one of them. How could anyone do such a terrible thing as be cruel to an animal?

Certainly, preventing cruelty to animals is something we should practice year round. But setting aside a time to raise awareness of anything that causes suffering for animals or people is good and practical.

How can cat lovers participate in Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month?

One way is to create a personal fundraising page with the ASPCA, then share it with your friends and family on social media. You can do this for your birthday, wedding, or other special event. You also can tie it to honoring the memory of a pet or running a 5K race with Team ASPCA. Money raised supports the national organization that has the name of the mission in its title: the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Short of that, you can use Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to raise awareness about Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. Inform people about the tragedy of animal abuse and neglect, and encourage them to report it, to refuse to support it, and to help animal rescue organizations.

We cat lovers, for example, might share posts about things that kind cat lovers should do, such as keeping the kitties inside – especially during bad weather – feeding them well, providing good medical care, and giving them lots of affection.

We can also go out of our way to help kitties who are the victims of cruelty or neglect or who are just plain unlucky. Sign up to volunteer at a shelter near you, and make a financial donation to a local or national rescue and advocacy organization.