Go Orange for Animals!

Have you noticed something different about my blog?  It's ORANGE!  That's because I'm Going Orange for Animals!

Every April, the ASPCA celebrated Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.  I know about animal cruelty.  We live on a dirt road, all the way at the end.  Lots of animals are dropped off out here by people who don't want them.  Mom and Dad find a lot of them and try to help them.  We have found kittens with their tails cut off, dogs with gunshot wounds, dogs and cats that were beaten, some that were starving or sick and just left to die.  People can be very mean to little animals like me.  So each year, the ASPCA urges supporters across the country to “Go Orange for Animals” throughout the month of April—when the ASPCA’s charter was signed in 1866—to raise awareness for their cause.

It’s fun to go orange! Orange is a great color! Austin has an orange bandanna that Mom bought him.  And the ASPCA has some great ideas and suggestions on how you can go orange too!  What can you do? 

Support Your Local Animal ShelterCoordinate a ”Go Orange for Animals” event with a local animal welfare group or shelter of your choice and donate the proceeds and/or supplies that you collect. Be sure to alert local media about your event! Possibilities include decorating the building orange and holding an adoption event or donation drive. To find a shelter or rescue group near you, visit our shelter database.

Tie One (or Two!) On Decorate with orange bows, ribbons and lights. They’ll look great wherever you put them—on trees, your house, over your office door, hanging from your dashboard, on your pooch, even in your hair!

Pimp Your Ride 

Vroom-vroom for animals! Write some animal-friendly messages on your vehicle— “Go Orange for Animals!” or “Celebrate Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month!” Most auto parts stores sell specific window-marking chalk for writing on your windows. You’ll be surprised by how far a little creative writing can go to help animals!

Play Dress-up 

Open your closet and get out those bright orange pants, shirts, ties, shoelaces and socks and don them every Friday—or any other day of the week—for the month of April.

Sweet Treats 
Organize an orange-themed bake sale for animals at your local shelter or rescue group. Make orange cupcakes or cookies, or even cookies in the shape of cats and dogs wearing orange frosted collars! Set up a table at your school, church, local library, club or office and let people know their purchase of orange deliciousness will benefit animals for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month! You can also persuade your local bakery to create special orange baked goods and ask if it might donate some of the proceeds to animal welfare efforts.

Show Your Virtual Support 

Dedicate your Facebook status, Twitter or blog to the ASPCA during the month of April and encourage your friends to spread the word about the month-long “Go Orange for Animals” campaign!

Grow Orange 

Got a green thumb? Plant an orange garden for animals. Ask your local garden center what orange flowering plants work best in your area, and do some creative landscaping. Trim your shrubs into animal shapes, and decorate them in orange bows or lights. No garden? Try window boxes or flowerpots, but do let people (and the media) know that your orange garden is all for and all about animals. Mom went shopping today and found all sorts of orange plants for our garden.  It's going to be great when she gets them all planted!

Become an Animal Activist 

Visit the ASPCA's Advocacy Center to find out everything you can do to raise awareness for animal rights.

Call or write your local law enforcement officials. Let them know that animal cruelty is a crime and investigating these cases should be a priority.

Help fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws on federal, state and local levels by joining the ASPCA's Advocacy Brigade.

Write a letter to the editor of your local or regional newspaper, reminding them that April is “Go Orange for Animals Month.” Be sure to include a heads-up about your “Go Orange” plans. You can also contact TV and radio stations, letting them know about your event and inviting them to add their unique efforts to the “Go Orange for Animals” campaign.

Mom is going to look for orange collars so Austin, Oscar, and I can wear them.  I am glad she is not going to make me wear a bandanna like Austin.  But an orange collar would be cool!

Blog, Post, Tweet, Pin!
If you have an online site, spread the word about Go Orange for Animals!  Spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn! Turn your website orange this month.

Mom and Dad have been able to save many of the animals they find.  But many more have suffered and died just because someone was mean to them.  Won't you help us fight animal cruelty?  Go Orange for Animals!