How you can speak up for animals.

This is why your help is needed! Most people are appalled by animal cruelty and if informed can be encouraged to make cruelty-free choices. Become a voice for animals. Even if you affect just one person, you really are making a big difference!

Before you start:

Know your stuff! We have information on a range of issues which will assist you to inform others. Also check out our videos and photos, get the lowdown on our major campaigns, and download some flyers to keep handy for any occasion!

1. Tell everyone!

The animals of this world are speechless against violence and abuse, so don’t be afraid to speak up on their behalf! Let your your friends, family and colleagues know what you’ve learned, and use every opportunity you can to show people how easy it is to make cruelty-free choices.

Remember:

• Don’t preach! Many people are most receptive when invited to discuss issues, rather than being talked at. Remember to ask questions, and reflect on the answers that you are given in a way that can further your conversations.
• Focus your efforts where they are most likely to succeed. You can’t convince everyone — some people will just never be able to empathise in the way you can. When faced with someone who may never understand your argument, try to concentrate your efforts on other people who are more likely to empathise with animal suffering.
• Be supportive. Many of us would like for everyone we speak with, to — for example — never buy products which are tested on animals or to never eat meat again, but remember to take one step at a time. Some of the things you are asking of people are ‘life changing’ for them, so respect that they might find things difficult, or take things slowly at first.
• Stress the positive! There are always alternatives to people’s current consumption habits: vegetarian ‘meats’, cruelty-free household goods and entertainment without animal abuse for example. Make sure that people realise that living cruelty-free is not about missing out, it’s just about choosing kinder alternatives.

2. Make the call

Call in to talkback radio shows, as other caring listeners might not know anything about the issues that are important to you. For example, most Australians are unaware that pigs are one of the most intelligent species on the planet, yet most pigs are raised on factory farms, and many mother pigs are kept in crates so small they cannot even turn around for months on end.

3. Write letters

Politicians care about what their constituents think of them; and corporations care about what their customers think of them. A single letter can hold great weight so don’t hold back letting these decision-makers know what you think about the treatment of animals in Australia today.

Or, write a letter to the editor of your local newspapers or magazines about the issues you care about.

To be effective, always make your letters polite and concise. Most people will be unaware about the extent of cruelty in Australian factory farms, or in the live export industry — so always provide descriptions and examples to back-up your claims. Read through the issues for key facts to highlight.

4. Show off!

Speaking up for animals is so easy, you can do it without even trying! Simply by putting a bumper sticker on your car, or wearing a t-shirt bearing an animal-friendly slogan, you will effortlessly spread the word of compassion toward our animal kin among those around you!

5. Ask questions

If you visit a restaurant that serves meat or egg dishes, politely ask whether their animal products are free-range, and encourage them to expand their meat-free menu options.

Keep some ‘Think Before You Buy’ leaflets handy to leave with them.

6. Drop leaflets

If you work in a shop, or a vet, doctor’s or dentist’s clinic, or a library or community centre, or ANYWHERE which has customers or visitors, leave out a petition along with some leaflets for customers to read. It’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to raise awareness!

7. Volunteer with us

Join the Animals Australia Action Network! This can mean as much or as little as you’d like it to: from letter writing, handing out leaflets in your home town, to offering your professional skills and services, or even organising events or manning a stall…

Get connected! Join up now!

8. In school

If you’re a student, and are able to choose a project topic, choose a subject from one our major campaigns or related topics. It’s an easy way to educate your teacher and fellow classmates about animal issues.

If you’re a teacher, ask your class to discuss or write a paper about making cruelty-free choices.

If you’d like to invite a guest speaker from Animals Australia to talk at your school then we can help with that too!

9. Make objectives

The bottom line for retailers is happy customers, so if you object to something that a store is selling (like factory-farmed products, or real fur), then tell them! Ask to see the manager, and explain clearly and calmly why you object to the sale of items that are products of animal cruelty. Many people will be unaware of how an animal product reaches the store shelves (even store managers), so remember to be patient and provide details in your explanation.

Stores will often have feedback forms — if you don’t see one then ask for one. You can also write a polite letter to the manager outlining your concerns.

10. Report abuse

If you witness a case of animal abuse, alert the relevant authority: contact the RSPCA or call the police.

Thank you

Sadly, animals trapped in factory farms, exported on live export ships, and abused behind the closed doors of testing laboratories do not have a voice of their own. They rely on each of us to speak out on their behalf. Every day, in many different ways, you can be a voice for animals!

On behalf of all animals — thank you!