51 ways to help animals

Looking for ways to help animals and make a real difference? From simple daily habits to powerful advocacy, there are countless actions you can take to protect animals—whether it’s volunteering for an animal welfare organization, adopting a more compassionate lifestyle by avoiding animal products in food and clothing, using products that aren’t tested on animals or speaking out against cruelty. 

This guide offers 50 impactful ways you can help animals at home, in your community and through global campaigns. Every action matters, and together, we can build a more humane world for all animals.

Get involved in your community

1. Write letters to the editor or urge local media to highlight animal protection issues. 

2. Ask restaurants and stores to offer more plant-based foods and switch to higher welfare products such as cage-free eggs. 

3. Support humane policies in your school, workplace, or your place of worship, such as offering more plant-based options or serving exclusively plant-based foods at catered events. Check out this toolkit! Additional benefit: by providing more plant-based options, businesses can meet sustainability goals and ensure inclusivity for consumers who avoid various animal products for religious, ethical, or health reasons (e.g. allergies and intolerances). 

4. Help outdoor cats in your neighborhood with trap-neuter-return (TNR) resources. 

5. Organize a community event, such as a World Spay Day or World Rabies Day initiative. 

6. Advocate for local pet stores to promote pet adoption and stop selling animals from puppy mills. 

7. Reach out to your local elected officials and let them know you want them to support animal-friendly policies and urge them to pass local ordinances that protect animals (In the US? Consider attending  a Humane Lobby Day ). 

8. Encourage humane solutions to conflicts with wildlife in your area, such as the U.S. Wild Neighbors page or https://costaricasilvestre.go.cr/ which was developed with Humane World Latin America. 

9. Develop outreach programs to educate your community about animal welfare. 

10. Share resources like those at https://www.icam-coalition.org/ on humane, effective and sustainable dog and cat population management with decision makers in your community. 

11. Ask your local leaders to join the Positive Cities Pledge, affirming a commitment to humane management of street dogs and cats.

Help animals in your everyday life

12. Adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue group—or foster one while they wait for a home. 

13. Have your pet spayed or neutered to prevent the unwanted births of kittens and puppies. 

14. Explore delicious plant-based recipes and switch to eating more plant-based foods. 

15. Purchase cruelty-free cosmetics and household products. 

16. Choose fur-free fashion and consult humane shopping guides. 

17. Prepare a disaster plan and kit for your animals. 

18. Put a collar and visible identification on your cats and dogs, in addition to having them microchipped and encourage others to do the same. Keep cats safe indoors. 

19. Learn how to spot fake animal rescues online and how to report animal cruelty content on social media platforms (A key resource coalition that Humane World is part of is https://www.endcrueltyonline.com/)

20. Turn your backyard into a sanctuary for wildlife.

21. Avoid attractions that exploit animals, such as bullfights, marine parks or roadside zoos, and businesses selling “selfies” with sloths, tigers or other wild animals.

22. Support businesses and brands committed to meaningful animal welfare standards.

Be an advocate and spread the word

23. Follow Humane World for Animals, formerly the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International, on social media and share our posts. 

24. Sign up for email and text alerts to stay informed and take quick actions for animals. 

25. Host a conversation about animal protection issues with friends or family. 

26. Distribute flyers or post information about adopting pets and humane practices.

Raise funds for animals

27. Organize an event such as a dog walk or bake sale and donate the proceeds. 

28. Make a one-time or monthly donation to support animal protection work. 

29. Give gift memberships or donate in honor of a loved one or pet. 

30. Check if your employer offers matching gifts for donations. 

31. Shop cruelty-free through our online storefronts and partner brands. 

32. Donate a used vehicle or other items to benefit animal protection.

Participate in training and events

33. Attend Animal Care Expo or the Taking Action for Animals conference, or other animal protection meetings or events in your region. 

34. Host or sponsor an educational event at your school, workplace or community center. 

35. Learn about pending legislation and how to advocate for humane laws. 

36. Sign up for training to assist animals in crisis with rescue teams. 

37. Volunteer for animal welfare events or with local animal shelters, sanctuaries or organizations.

Engage youth and schools

38. Teach kids to respect animals through humane education activities. (Some key resources: From Nose to Tail | Humane World for Animals and Home - Kind News magazine and Hero in my Hood - story activity books for children 

39. Encourage schools to offer plant-based menu options. 

40. Share animal welfare resources with educators and parents.

41. Bring speakers to schools to discuss topics such as factory farming or wildlife protection.

Volunteer and make a hands-on impact

42. Help local animal welfare organizations and shelters with fundraising, social media or adoption events. 

43. Create promotional materials, like flyers or videos, to support spay/neuter campaigns, pet wellness clinics and adoption efforts. 

44. Take photos of animals in need of homes to share on social media. 

45. Support virtual volunteering opportunities for organizations worldwide. 

46. Set up a community booth to raise awareness about animal protection issues.

Support humane policies

47. Identify your local, regional or national government representatives to advocate for animal-friendly laws. 

48. Attend town hall meetings or public meetings to voice your support for humane legislation. 

49. Support campaigns that combat wildlife trafficking or protect endangered species. 

50. Partner with organizations to encourage humane education and training programs. 

51. Support health charities that advocate for alternatives to animal research,