Want to help animals in 2010 but don’t know where to start? Of all the choices that you make each day, what you put on your plate is one of the most consequential. Mostly, for the 10 billion animals that are raised for meat, eggs and dairy products. Creating positive change is much easier than you think. Here are five ways you can effortlessly help animals in 2010:
From Poplar Springs Animal Sanctuary
1. Go vegan. Abstaining from all animal products is the number one thing you can do to help animals. If you truly care about the welfare of animals, you wouldn’t consume them. For a comprehensive guide of veg-friendly dining in the DC area, check out VegDC.com .
2. Educate others. If other people don’t know about the horrors of factory farming, then choosing compassion at the dinner table probably isn’t on their mind. Distributing literature is one of the best ways to educate people. Spend just 30 minutes each week handing out pro-vegetarian literature on your college campus or at your local Metro station and the animals will thank you.
3. Volunteer at a local shelter. There are tons of shelters in the DC area that could always use extra help, including the Washington Humane Society and Washington Animal Rescue League . Volunteering at an animal sanctuary is another fun way to help animals (Bonus: You can spend time with them).
4. Host a vegan dinner. Break down those misconceptions about vegans and prove that a cruelty free lifestyle is just a delicious. VegWeb is one of my favorite sites to use for recipes.
5. Be patient with others (Not the easiest, I know). Unless you were born a vegan or a vegetarian, you were once a carnivore too. Don’t get mad at those who still are. Stay positive. They will change by choice not by force.
Have more ways to help animals? Leave a comment below. By working together we can create a world that is kind to all living beings.
Should our dog and cat companions be vegan as well? This debate seems to be never ending in the vegan world because being the animal lovers that we are, we want what is best for our furry friends. I haven’t had to come to a conclusion because for now, I have a bird who loves to eat tofu (Seriously). However, I plan to adopt a dog in the near future. So, what should I do? From doing the research, it seems that dogs can receive the appropriate nutrients from a vegan diet since they are omnivorous. But, cats are carnivores and the transition over to a vegan diet must be slow and made with caution. If cats don’t have taurine in their diet then they could go blind or suffer heart disease. 
