What You Can Do

Here are just a few suggestions for things you and your church community can do to live more compassionately:

WHAT YOU CAN DO

1.   Reduce or eliminate your meat and dairy consumption.  Even if you do not feel called to adopt a wholly plant-based diet, every step helps.  Some people choose to forgo meat one day a week (there is a strong Meatless Monday movement), some choose not to eat meat at breakfast and lunch.  Some just resolve to try more plant-based foods and incorporate them into their diet a little at a time.  By doing this, you will not only help animals, you will help the planet and likely will improve your health, as well.  (But be aware that if you reduce your meat and dairy consumption significantly, you should take care to replace those nutrients from plant-based sources so you continue to have a balanced diet.  There are lots of resources available to help you do that, and once you make the little bit effort up front, it is very easy.  See the Plant-Based Diet section of the Resources page of this blog.)

2. Get your next pet from a shelter or rescue group and ALWAYS spay or neuter your pets.

3. Recognize that when you bring a pet into your home, you are making a commitment for the entire life of the animal.

4. Do not keep exotic or wild animals as pets. 

5. Become informed about federal, state, and local legislative issues affecting animals and let your representatives know these are issues you care about.  Several organizations, including the Humane Society of the United States, the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the ASPCA, Farm Sanctuary, and the Animal Welfare Institute, to name just a few, are all active on the federal and state levels and can be a good resource.

6. Purchase personal care and cleaning products that have not been tested on animals.  Read labels.  Be aware that "not tested on animals" may mean the final product was not tested on animals but does not necessarily mean that the ingredients were not tested on animals.  Leaping Bunny is an excellent resource for finding cruelty-free products. Ask your local merchants to carry these products.

7. Bring a vegan or vegetarian dish to your next church potluck.  The internet is an excellent resource of plant-based recipes.

8. Stay away from entertainment featuring animals, such as circuses.


WHAT YOUR CHURCH CAN DO

1.  Use cruelty-free cleaning products.

2.  If you have a food bank or deliver meals to the poor, include pet food and pet supplies.

3.  If you have an outreach to the homeless, include services for pets.

4.  If you offer rides to the doctor to those who have trouble getting around, offer rides to the vet.

5. Have a pet blessing service and invite your local shelter to bring some animals in need of loving homes for a special blessing.

6.  Refrain from social events centered around meat, such as pig roasts.

7. Include vegan and vegetarian dishes at church events.

8. Include vegan and vegetarian dishes in your next church cookbook.

9. Create a wildlife sanctuary or humane garden on your church grounds (see National Wildlife Federation or Humane Society of the United States).

10. Form a study group to read one of the books on the resource page of this blog.

11. Take group to visit a nearby farm animal sanctuary.

12. Partner with your local shelter or rescue group to feature adoptable pets, find foster homes, collect towels, have a toy drive, etc.

13. Include information about cruelty-free products and plant-based diets on your tract racks.

14. Include some of the books on the resource page of this blog in your church library.