Don’t Kill By-Catch Whales, Fight Against Factory Farming and End Cockfighting: 10 Petitions to Sign this Week to Help People, Animals and the Planet!

Unfortunately, the world is not a very peaceful or safe place for many individuals. From conflict to abuse to exploitation, there is so much cruelty inflicted on both humans and animals. While this can get disheartening and difficult to hear about, petitions are a great way to use your voice for good. Just by signing one, you are a part of helping those who are not treated fairly. You can even share them with your friends and acquaintances to increase your impact.

Through petitions, we can reach those in power and demand justice for others. They are valuable tools for making positive changes in the world. If you are looking for a way to help animals and humans, here are 10 petitions you should sign this week, including Don’t Let Fishermen Kill Whales Caught as By-Catch, Fight Against Factory Farming, and Demand Stronger Laws to End Cockfighting!

We want to thank you for being the change you wish to see in the world and giving a voice to the voiceless.

1. Demand Rescued Animals Get Placed in Sanctuaries Not Farms

Recently, the Mohawk Hudon Humane Society, Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, and the North Greenbush Police worked together to rescue over 200 animals from a case of neglect in upstate New York. Woodstock Farm Sanctuary took in 53 of the animals so they could live out their lives in peace and get the care they deserve. Sadly, the Mohawk Hudon Humane Society placed many of the rescued animals on other farms. Sign this petition to demand that they have the farms sign contracts that they will not breed, sell, or slaughter the animals while sanctuary homes are lined up; allow relocation of animals from the farms to legitimate sanctuaries; and work with sanctuaries to find foster and permanent placement for each animal within 30 days.

2. Don’t Let Fishermen Kill Whales Caught as By-Catch

Source: Brut America/YouTube

Recently, a minke whale named Hope was cruelly murdered in Japan after she was caught as bycatch by fishermen. Bycatch refers to the marine animals that are unintentionally but inevitably caught by fishermen due to the large size of their nets. Hope was kept in the net for 19 days. On footage from animal activists with Life Investigation Agency (LIA), Hope can be seen trying to escape and becoming increasingly distressed. Eventually, the fishermen tied a rope around her tail and held her upsidedown underwater for 20 minutes until she drowned. Sadly, this is completely legal due to a loophole that allows for 37 bycatch whales to be murdered every year. Sign this petition to urge the Fisheries Agency of Japan to change their regulations so that no whales caught as ‘by-catch’ may be killed!

3. Free Woman Who Was Put in Jail for Reporting Truth About COVID

Source: South China Morning Post/YouTube

Zhang Zhan is a 37-year-old journalist and former lawyer who was sentenced to four years behind bars after she became one of the first reporters to document the growing coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan back in February 2020. She used various social media platforms to document coronavirus in Wuhan, even after Chinese authorities kicked out most members of the foreign press. Sign this petition to demand that Ms. Zhang be released and have all charges against her dropped immediately!

4. Establish Conservation Policies in the UK

Source: ITV News/YouTube 

The common crane disappeared from the United Kingdom back in the 17th century as a result of overhunting and wetland draining. However, due to Conservation efforts and protecting their wetland habitats, common cranes have been recovering! There are around 200 of them now living in the UK. This story of hope proves how important and effective Conservation groups and policies are. Wetlands are vital habitats for many different species and also store a great deal of the carbon that would otherwise be polluting our atmosphere. Obviously, protecting wetlands should be a priority, but they are still being drained in the name of development. Sign this petition to tell the UK government to establish policies protecting the country’s wetlands, for the good of cranes, other vulnerable wildlife, and Earth as a whole!

5. Justice for Little Girl Who Was Pepper-Sprayed While Handcuffed in Squad Car

Source: NBC News/YouTube

At the end of January 2021, a 9-year-old Black girl in Rochester, New York who was having a mental health crisis was brutalized by police. She was yelled at, thrown in the snow, tossed in the back of a police car in handcuffs, and then pepper-sprayed in the face by cops. The officer involved has been suspended, but not fired, pending an internal review and the president of that police union even said the officers “broke no policy.” Sign this petition to demand these “policies” change so that no one, especially not a child, ever faces such cruelty again.

6. Charge Bolsonaro for Ecocide

Source: Flash News/YouTube

During his time as President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro has worked towards his campaign promise of waging war on Indigenous peoples and their sacred lands that are vital for fighting Climate change. Since 2019, there’s has been nearly 40% more deforestation in the Amazon, huge budget cuts for environmental programs, weakened environmental regulations, and a 135% increase in the invasions of precious Indigenous territories. Currently, a case charging Bolsonaro with ecocide, “causing serious and lasting harm to the environment and people,” is under review. Sign this petition and implore Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to charge Jair Bolsonaro with crimes against humanity for ecocide!

7.  Fight Against Factory Farming

Source: Discovery/YouTube

Factory farming and other forms of livestock-based agriculture are cruel and heinous ways to treat other living creatures. They are kept in filthy, overcrowded environments, where they are physically and mentally abused until they are slaughtered. Factory farming also has a terrible impact on the environment. Livestock-related greenhouse gas emissions have been steadily increasing, which is wreaking havoc on our environment. According to their Paris Climate Accords goals, the EU is supposed to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 55% within the next 9 years (by 2030); however, that is exactly the opposite of what is happening. They need to reduce their reliance on animal-based agriculture if they want to meet their goal. Sign this petition to tell the European Union: live up to your Paris climate commitments, and reduce your reliance on meat and dairy products!

8. Demand Stronger Laws to End Cockfighting

Source: 8 News NOW Las Vegas/YouTube

Cockfighting roosters endure immense amounts of cruelty. They have their feathers ripped out, wattles sliced off, and razors attached to their legs. In January, over 300 of these roosters were found at a man’s home and seized by authorities. Unfortunately, officials are saying that because federal animal welfare laws are weak, it’s hard to protect animals like roosters. Sign this petition to demand stronger laws against animal cruelty, to protect innocent creatures from cockfighting rings!

9. Save the Sharks!

Source: Stream News

Researchers recently found that since 1970, wild shark population numbers have gone down 71%. This decrease in population size has coincided with huge surges in fishing for sharks around the world, estimated to be 300% more intense than it was 50 years ago. Sadly, shark fishing is still legal in many places, including in Australia. Sign this petition now and tell Australian lawmakers and Prime Minister Scott Morrison to pass legislation immediately banning all shark-fishing, and creating strong new programs to help conserve the sharks that remain!

10. Require Dogs in Rural Areas to Wear Leashes to Protect Them and Other Animals

Source: Metro uk

Recently a group of 50 sheep died, all huddled together against a stone wall. The sheep died from terror after being chased by dogs. They were untouched, but the fear was enough. They sprinted until they got trapped in a corner and huddled so closely together that they crushed and suffocated each other. Sadly, this isn’t the first time this has happened. Cases have been on the rise since people have started taking their dogs out off-leash during the pandemic. The Countryside Code, England’s set of rules for visitors to agricultural and rural areas, includes that visitors should “keep dogs under effective control.” However, obviously, the relaxed nature of that statement isn’t working. Sign this petition and ask that the UK government update the Countryside Code to require all dogs in agricultural and rural areas be leashed at all times, for their own safety and the safety of all other animals!

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