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 Elaine Morris, Voiceless’s General Manager, speaking to an anti-whaling rally of over 200 people on the South Coast in 2006
Animals need our help now more than ever and there are many ways that you can make a difference. Decide on an issue to focus on that's close to your heart and choose an activity that uses your skills and can be accomplished in your free time. See our list below for ideas.
Remember to keep us informed about your great work. You can be an inspiration for others to also become a voice for the voiceless.
Consumer Power
Design a public awareness program to help consumers choose cruelty free products. Your program, for example, could highlight the difference between free-range and factory farming methods and direct consumers towards cruelty-free fashion or household and beauty products that do not test on animals.
Ban Circuses and Rodeos
Implement a public lobbying effort to secure a ban on circuses or rodeos that use animals for the purpose of human entertainment.
Community Festival
Organise a community event or festival to raise awareness about the humane treatment of animals. The event might include notable speakers, displays, workshops, cruelty-free cuisine and representatives from local animal groups.
Challenge Students
Design a 'humane education' program that challenges students about animal ethics and allows them to critically analyse the various ways we use animals in our society.
Be an artist for animals
Animals need advocates in film, TV and on radio. If you are a film-maker or musician, use your talents to be a voice for animals. Think about promotion and distribution as part of your strategy.
Be an advocate
If you are a law student, get involved in Animal Law on your university campus.
Research, write and disseminate
Through your university or tertiary educational facility, research Australian's attitudes towards animals. Suggest ways in which the public can be informed and encouraged to speak up for animals. You can then disseminate your findings widely so that they can be discussed and acted upon.
Contact your elected representative
Write, phone, fax or visit your local, federal or state MP and let them know your views about animal protection. Explain your viewpoint or suggest changes to laws or regulations which you would like to see implemented, for example a ban on sow stalls in your state or territory. For further information on how to lobby, please visit the lobbying for animals pages of our website. Raise Your Voice
Complain to the Advertising Standards Bureau if you see, read or hear an advertisement which falls within the ASB's jurisdiction and which you feel constitutes a breach of the Australian Association of National Advertisers Code of Ethics. The object of the Code is 'to ensure that advertisements are legal, decent, honest and truthful and that they have been prepared with a sense of obligation to the consumer and society and fair sense of responsibility to competitors.' Examples of previous Case reports can be found on the ASB website.
Draw up a petition
This is a great way to get people involved in animal protection and to demand action from the Government. There are specific requirements for the format of petitions which need to be complied with. Information for federal petitions can be viewed at the Parliament of Australia website www.aph.gov.au – select ‘Information and Research’.
Propose a motion through your local council
Identify key Councillors who might be prepared to support you and ask them to propose a motion. The motion could be as simple as halting the hire of parks in their council area for circuses which use exotic animals. More information about your local council can be found at http://www.alga.asn.au/links/obc.php.
accommodate native species
Making small changes to your house and garden can help native animals survive in urban environments. To find out how, read the brochure 'Sharing Your Space' produced by 2006 Voiceless grant recipient, Shoalhaven City Council.
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