7 Ways Students Can be Leaders for Animals This School Year

It’s back to school season, and students can be more human this school year by making decisions that have a positive impact on animals.

Young people are increasingly at the forefront of the animal welfare movement. They are learning about the issues, educating their parents and classmates and making practical decisions that improve the lives of animals.

The Humane Society of the United States is sharing the following tips for making the 2014-2015 school year a humane one:

1. Educate Your Classmates

It’s the best way to make a change. Use research projects, term papers and other assignments as opportunities to educate your classmates about important animal issues. Visit our School Project Help page for ideas and background information about many animal issues.

2. Support Humane Cosmetics

#BeCrueltyFree is the new trend: raise your voice against animal testing of cosmetics and visit our cosmetic testing page to learn more. For the new school year, choose your shampoo, styling gel, lip gloss or other cosmetics from a cruelty-free brand that you can find here.

Take action by supporting the Humane Cosmetics Act, federal legislation to end animal testing in the U.S.

3. Make Compassion Your Fashion

Make compassion your fashion. Take a stand against cruelty and join our Fur-free Facebook page and reference our handy fur-free shopping guide. Spread the word that compassionate fashion saves raccoon dogs, foxes, rabbits and other furbearers from needless suffering.

4. Participate in the International #MeatlessMonday Movement

 Meatless meals are delicious and humane. Many schools, universities and hospitals nationwide have implemented Meatless Monday programs to improve public health, promote environmental sustainability and reduce animal suffering. Click here to find out how to help your school join this growing movement.

5. Start or Join a Club

 Starting or joining an animal protection student club is a great way to spread the word about animal issues in your school, and bond with classmates who have a passion for animal protection. Learn how to start a student club here.

6. Help Your Local Animal Shelter or Rescue

Most organizations need blankets, toys and other supplies to care for their animals. Organize a drive to provide those supplies to your local shelter or rescue, or ask your classmates to Donate their spare change to help animals in need. Service-learning hours can be fulfilled helping out at the shelter after school and on weekends. For more tips on how you can help your local shelter or rescue, click here.

7. Make Biology Class More Humane

Students and teachers can choose to use alternatives to dissection, and our student action page on dissection provides guidance for students and teachers who want to create a humane biology classroom at their school.

For more information and other ideas for students interested in speaking up for animals, click here.

Image source: Mariano Pernicone/Wikimedia