February 2, 2010
Five Actions Students Can Take to Help Wild Animals on Campus
The Humane Society of the United States asks students to give a helping hand to wildlife this winter. With below-normal temperatures and water drying up or icing over in many regions of the country, winter can be a harsh time for our wild neighbors. In addition, many consumers of popular fur and fur-trim garments unknowingly support the cruel deaths of millions of raccoon dogs, rabbits, foxes, mink, chinchillas and other animals.
"Winter is the perfect time to think about wild animals in need, and to take action," said Heidi O'Brien, youth outreach director for The HSUS. "There are many things college students can do to help the wildlife around them as well as countless animals around the world who suffer for fur and fur-trim."
Student animal advocates can:
Create a Wildlife Sanctuary - Create a patio, balcony or rooftop wildlife sanctuary. Maintain a bird feeder or birdbath, make peanut butter-filled pinecone treats for birds, or create a brush or rock pile to serve as shelter for wildlife. Small spaces can accommodate wildlife and The HSUS Urban Wildlife Sanctuary Program provides educational materials on habitat creation and restoration, as well as tips for enhancing wildlife-watching experiences.
Take Photos of Wildlife - Are there any wild animals causing conflicts on your campus or town? Have flocks of geese taken up residence on the athletic fields? Are herds of deer munching on landscaped lawns, shrubs and flowers? Often, the first response to these problems is to arrange for the animals to be killed. Make fliers and posters of animals who live nearby to spread awareness on how to resolve conflicts with them. Visit humanesociety.org for our "Shoot to Save Wildlife" project.
Organize a Fur Collection Drive - Students can give fur back to the animals by starting a Coats for Cubs collection on campus to give unwanted furs to wildlife rehabilitators, who use them to warm and comfort orphaned and injured wildlife. Students can ask their family members for unwanted furs. The HSUS has teamed up with Buffalo Exchange, a family-owned resale clothing business with 39 locations in 14 states, to collect used fur items. Through Earth Day, April 22, 2010, students can bring unwanted fur apparel, trim, and accessories to any Buffalo Exchange store or send collected items to The HSUS. Details can be found at humanesociety.org/coatsforcubs and buffaloexchange.com. Prizes will be awarded to students collecting the most furs during this period.
Purchase from Fur-Free Retailers and Designers - For the millions of raccoon dogs, mink, foxes, rabbits and chinchillas who are killed for their fur every year, life is spent in tiny, barren wire cages. Others are crushed or drowned in cruel traps. Thankfully, more and more retailers and designers are rejecting cruelty by adopting fur-free policies. Students can vote with their dollar and make a choice to support fur-free companies.
Set Up a Table - Introduce the rest of your college to the challenges wildlife face. Helpful fact sheets and handouts such as 'Go Wild for Wildlife,' 'Field Guide to Telling Animal Fur from Fake Fur' and the 'Fur-Free Retailers and Designers Pocket Guide' can be downloaded at humanesociety.org.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by nearly 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the Web at humanesociety.org.