A more compassionate world in 2011 is possible. Born Free USA, a leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, asks that people adopt simple New Year’s resolutions this year that can make a significant difference for wild animals. And unlike most resolutions, these are easy to keep all year long.
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According to Will Travers, chief executive officer of Born Free, “The ability to create incredible change for animals and the environment has never been easier or more powerful. It is not only about refusing to buy fur. Compassion for animals goes much further. Plant a garden, choose an animal-free circus, confirm that your favorite products were not tested on animals, buy pet supplies from a shop where live animals are not sold, talk about animals, observe animals in their own environment. All of these actions can and will change our world.”
Resolutions for a happy and compassionate new year from Born Free USA for all living beings:
- Support retailers that do not sell fur: Resolve to never buy or wear fur or fur trim, and avoid shopping at stores where fur is sold. Instead, find compassionate stores, designers and more resources at www.furfreeshopping.com.
- Avoid products tested on animals: Just because a label says “Not Tested on Animals” or “Cruelty Free” does not mean the ingredients were not tested. In the new year, resolve to be more informed about animal testing, and visit the website for The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics, otherwise known as the Leaping Bunny Program, which provides a list of companies that do not test on animals (www.leapingbunny.org).
- Buy pet supplies from stores that do not sell live animals: Shopping at a store where wild reptiles, exotic birds and any other live animals are sold supports a cruel industry. In 2011, stop animal exploitation by refusing to shop at stores where live animals are sold. For a list of compassionate pet stores, visit www.petsupplylocator.com.
- Commit to supporting a different kind of circus: The life of a circus animal is cruel and miserable. In 2011, spend your money instead on incredible circus shows such as Cirque du Soleil, or check out other non-animal circuses at www.bornfreeusa.org/facts.php?p=419&more=1.
- Co-exist with your own backyard wildlife: Resolve to co-exist with your own wild neighbors and deal with deer, bat, raccoon, skunks and squirrel conflicts humanely, proactively and permanently. Visit www.coexistingwithwildlife.com for tips on humane ways to handle critters who want to make your home theirs.
- Be an eco-tourist: Take opportunities to see wildlife in the wild in your own community parks and woods, or plan to take an eco-tour that helps preserve wildlife. For more information, visit https://www.bornfreeusa.org/mbw/a2b_ecotourism.php.
- Encourage wildlife outside your window: Resolve to make your immediate world — your garden, yard, window box — wildlife friendly. Plant flowers for bees, feed wild birds, encourage butterflies and inspire children to plant, participate and observe the beauty of nature.
- Resolve to become a Born Free USA Zoo Checker: Help Born Free track abuses and substandard conditions suffered by animals in zoos, aquariums, circuses or other places that exhibits animals. Born Free USA works tirelessly to fight wild animal captivity and the cruelty involved. Help keep wildlife in the wild. Learn more at www.bornfreeusa.org/zoocheck.
- Eleven in 2011: Tell 11 friends in 2011 about Born Free USA and the mission to keep wildlife in the wild, by asking them to visit www.bornfreeusa.org.
Born Free USA (BFUSA) is a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation and public education, BFUSA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and destructive international wildlife trade. BFUSA’s Primate Sanctuary in Texas is home to more than 500 primates rescued from laboratories, roadside zoos and private possession. BFUSA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation,” the vision of the United Kingdom-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film “Born Free,” along with their son Will, now CEO of both organizations. BFUSA’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally.
More at www.bornfreeusa.org; on twitter at http://twitter.com/bornfreeusa; and facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BornFreeUSA.
Media Contact: Rodi Rosensweig, 203/270-8929, rodicompany@earthlink.net