I was 16 when I ate my last cheeseburger; 19 when I switched to cruelty-free products and 21 when I bought my last leather accessory. As a longtime vegetarian and animal welfare advocate, I always encourage people to make small changes in their lives to benefit the animal world! Here is a quick list of ways you, too, can be kinder to animals!
1. Switch to cruelty-free makeup, skin and hair products.
It seems rather archaic that we still need to test shampoo on bunnies to see if it will cause our skin to burn off. Considering that most formulas and ingredients have been used or tested at least once, vegan products are not hard to come by any more! I highly recommend these organic, cruelty-free brands that your dog would approve of: Cover FX, E.L.F. and Too Faced.
2. Eat brands that are certified humane.
Being animal friendly does not mean you can’t have some of your favorite foods! I always check food packaging for certified humane branding guaranteed to produce products from happier farm animals.
3. Or quit cold turkey (pun intended) altogether!
I can honestly say I do not miss bacon. While some may crucify me for that, I have found some really great alternatives that many of my meat-loving friends also love! Silk offers delicious soy milk (great for coffee), MorningStar meat replacements are my absolute favorite (they even have bacon) and Gardenburger and Yves Veggie Cuisine have excellent options to change up your meals.
4. Dress to impress ... the animals that is.
It should come to no surprise that avoiding leather or suede are great ways to support animal welfare, but finding alternative options can be a bit tricky. There aren’t many companies that are 100-percent vegan, so it’s important to always check the label of a specific clothing item. PETA released a nice list of vegan brands, and if you see terms like "ultrasuede" and "faux leather," then you are in luck!
5. Donate to your nearest shelter.
As much funding as a shelter may receive, they are always in need of things like towels, animal food or pet toys to help promote a happier environment for the sweet babies waiting to be adopted.
6. Or take it a step further and adopt an animal.
More than two-million shelter animals are euthanized each year—a number that can be greatly reduced if people would seek to rescue an animal instead of adopting through a breeder. I have spent time with animals at some of my local shelters, and they are always so sweet and in need of affection. Elderly pets are very easy-going, and baby animals are dropped off regularly, so scan your closest shelter’s website before seeking an expensive breeder.
7. Can’t commit to adopting a pet? Volunteer instead!
When I went to go adopt a cat, there was a young man there who was taking them out individually from their cages and spending time with them, something he apparently does every week. This is a simple way to help familiarize animals with people and give them the love and attention they deserve until they find their furr-ever home. You can also offer to walk dogs, clean cages, or work promotional events. The shelter and the animals will greatly appreciate it!
8. Donate to a reputable charity.
I probably follow more animal social media accounts than I do people, and seeing their sweet faces was enough for me to start donating to one of my favorite nonprofit charities, Kitten Lady. I have a really full schedule, so this was the easiest way for me to love and care for animals, and really is a great option for everyone! Find the one that you connect with the most and help save some of the smallest lives!
