Spread awareness of the importance of preventing cruelty to animals.
The ASPCA kicks-off Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month on April 7 when iconic buildings and landmarks across the country will light up in our signature color and “Go Orange for Animals.”
Join our campaign to raise awareness of animal cruelty issues. Let “Go Orange for Animals” become your battle cry as we work together for the creation of humane communities everywhere.
Here are 10 ways your shelter can increase awareness of animal cruelty and participate in Prevent Animal Cruelty Month:
1. Have a candlelight vigil for the victims of animal cruelty. Or take a moment of silence in remembrance of animal victims during events and trainings held in April. Approach your local media about covering your event. Use these press release and media advisory templates (.doc format).
2. Select a mascot for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. Choose a cruelty survivor your organization was responsible for rehabilitating and placing.
3. Get on the program as a speaker for your local community service groups (Junior League, Elks, Rotary Club, etc.). Teach them how to identify and report animal cruelty in the community.
4. Engage youth in your community. Approach your local scout troops to do a penny, toy or towel drive for your organization.
5. Add a link to puppy mill information at ASPCA.org to your MySpace or FaceBook page or blog to inform people about puppy mill cruelty.
6. Put up a “Caring Tree” in your lobby (a paper silhouette of a tree). Ask visitors to pledge their support by writing down what they will do to prevent animal cruelty on a leaf or animal form cut out of construction paper.
7. Get a mayoral proclamation to recognize your efforts to fight animal cruelty in your community and table at City Hall for the day.
8. Contact your government officials about strengthening your local and state animal protection laws.
9. Train your local police, fire and utility workers to recognize signs of animal fighting. Encourage local law enforcement officers to take a free online course on Investigating Animal Abuse.
10. Reach out to local domestic violence shelters to establish programs for emergency housing of pets from homes with domestic violence.
11. Bonus! Ways for Kids to Go Orange. Link to this ASPCA Animaland article, written just for children, from your website. Or print the article and make copies available to families who visit your shelter.
Resources for Shelters
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month website
- Press release template (.doc)
- Media advisory template (.doc)
- Breaking the Cycle of Violence II package from the ASPCA Store
Resources for Humane Educators
You can also place copies of these materials in your lobby during Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.
- Animal Cruelty is a Crime bookmark (Pack of 50) from the ASPCA Store
- NEW AnimaLessons Prevent Cruelty to Animals Month issue
- ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Officer Annmarie Lucas' tips for fighting animal cruelty
- Instructions to create a caring tree
- Ways for Kids to Go Orange
Special Discount at the ASPCA Store
Go Orange for Animals! Use the coupon code ORANGE448 for a 20% discount off any item at the ASPCA Store. This discount is valid through April 30, 2009.
Use ASPCAApril.org to Promote Your Events for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
If your organization is Going Orange for Animals in April and is hosting an Animal Cruelty Prevention event, you can publicize the event on ASPCAApril.org.
Enter your event information, and we'll post it in the events calendar for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals month.