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 End Taxpayer Funding for Animal Experiments, Help Afghanistan Allies Evacuate After Withdrawing Troops, and Pass Stronger Gun Laws in Florida.

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

1. End Taxpayer Funding for Painful Animal Experiments

Every year, taxpayers are forced to pay $20 billion for cruel animal experiments. This includes kittens asphyxiated and de-brained, puppies forced to run on treadmills in heart attack experiments, and baby monkeys deprived of water and forced to be addicted to street drugs. Many of the survivors of these experiments are often killed afterward. This is beyond cruel and unnecessary; it needs to be stopped! Sign this petition to end forced taxpayer funding for painful animal experiments at home and abroad!

2. Create Public Awareness Campaign to Protect Dogs From Dying in Hot Cars

Recently, someone noticed a 10-week old puppy panting and screaming inside a hot car. All of the windows were rolled up and the temperature inside had already passed 100°F. The stranger called animal control, who, fortunately, made it just in time to save the puppy. The puppy’s owner didn’t come back for 30 minutes and thus, he would have been dead if it weren’t for the stranger that intervened. The couple was arrested, but it’s important to note that some people simply aren’t educated and don’t leave their dogs in the car maliciously. Something needs to be done to ensure that dog owners know how fast temperatures can increase in parked cars, as well as how dangerous this can be for dogs. Sign this petition to urge Florida state officials to launch a public awareness campaign in concert with vets, shelters, and pet stores to protect dogs from burning to death in cars!

3. End Spousal Rape Exceptions in California

In some states, including California, there are still marital or spousal rape exceptions that protect rapists who attack their spouses. While spousal rape is still illegal, the perpetrators get lesser charges and are eligible for probation. Rape is still rape, no matter the relationship. These exceptions are extremely harmful and need to be removed, especially considering the spike in domestic violence during the lockdowns. There have been multiple attempts to amend this law and this time, it must succeed. Sign this petition to urge the California Senate Public Safety Committee to send this bill forward without delay, and end the spousal rape exceptions in California!

4. Support the Hunger-Free Summer for Kids Act

Millions of kids around the US have no idea where their next meal is coming from. This is especially true during summer, since there are no school lunches. Food insecurity is a huge issue in the US even though food is a basic need and the US is one of the richest countries. Hopefully, this could soon change. The Hunger-Free Summer for Kids Act (S. 2005) would fight childhood hunger and improve access to nutritious foods by permanently authorizing the pilot Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program. Sign this petition to tell members of Congress to Support the Hunger-Free Summer for Kids Act to give more children access to nutritious foods during the summer.

5. Urge Stores to Donate Toys to Animals in Need

A few months ago, a stray dog named Sisu in North Carolina tried over and over to steal a stuffed purple unicorn toy with the pink horn and footpads from a Dollar General store. Eventually, the store called animal control. The officer who arrived didn’t just take Sisu, but also bought her the toy that she had been dreaming of. At the shelter, Sisu kept her unicorn toy and her story went viral! Sisu was recently adopted (with her favorite toy) and will live out her life in a loving home. However, there are so many other dogs still waiting in the shelter and wishing they too had a soft toy to snuggle. Dollar General has gotten so much publicity from this story that the least they could do is Donate some toys to animal shelters. Sign this petition to urge Dollar General stores to Donate toys and stuffed animals to these sweet pets in need!

6. Deactivate Taliban Twitter Accounts

Twitter is giving members of the Taliban a wide-spreading platform to push propaganda, with spokesman Suhail Shaheen having over 350,000 followers. This is in stark contrast with all of the Afghans who have had to delete their social media for fear of being targeted by the Taliban. A recognized terrorist group should not have the opportunity to rebrand themselves to millions of users on social media sites. It’s dangerous and could make it hard for people to distinguish facts. Sign this petition to tell Twitter that Taliban accounts should be deactivated!

7. Don’t Allow Animal Abusers to Own Animals Again

Recently, in Middletown, Delaware, someone called authorities to investigate their neighbors home. When officers arrived, they found 56 neglected, sick, and dying cats living in horrible conditions. The cats were covered in fleas, missing hair, suffering from respiratory conditions, starving, and emaciated. Not all of the cats made it, but those who did were brought to the Brandywine Valley SPCA where they are being nursed back to health before they’re put up for adoption. While the two people responsible for the animals’ suffering have been charged with animal cruelty, the laws in Delaware don’t prevent them from one day being able to own animals again. It’s much more important to ensure that these people can never harm animals like this again. Sign this petition to ask that the Delaware Office of Animal Welfare suggest a lifetime ban on owning animals for these two!

8. Tell Schools to Defy Bans on Mask Mandates to Save Lives 

440 students in Palm Beach, Florida, alone were quarantined by the second day of school. Given the fact that Governor Ron DeSantis, who banned mask mandates, these back-to-school numbers are sad, but hardly surprising. Bans like this one are putting countless lives at risk –  especially since kids under 12 can’t get vaccinated yet. Mask mandates are so important for ensuring the health and safety of students, teachers, and their families during the school year. Sign this petition to call on school districts with mask mandate bans to put kids first and instate them anyways!

9. Urge America and Canada to Help Afghanistan Allies Evacuate After Withdrawing Troops

Interpreters who were critical to operations in Afghanistan now face torture and death from the Taliban after the sudden withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region. As the August 31st deadline approached, evacuation efforts slowed down so the focus could be on withdrawing the remaining troops. Many Afghans who were hoping to be evacuated received a message that they would not be evacuated and are now stuck in the country. Afghans who worked for the US and Canada are terrified that the Taliban will come after them and their families. Veterans have also expressed that evacuation efforts were moving too slowly and even paid out-of-pocket to help their interpreters. Sign this petition to demand that the American and Canadian governments continue aiding in evacuation plans for the families of our Afghanistan allies who risked their lives to Support our troops.

10. Pass Stronger Gun Laws in Florida

Recently, a toddler found a loaded, unsecured gun in their home, and shot their mother in the head during a work Zoom call. By the time paramedics arrived, Shamaya Lynn, the mother, was dead. This tragedy for everyone involved. Perhaps, it all could have been avoided if Florida law treated guns as deadly weapons and actually had requirements for buying handguns. As of right now, no permits, licenses, or safety training are required and gun owners don’t even need to register their firearms. Sign this petition to demand that Florida lawmakers turn this heartbreaking accident into a catalyst for change and pass stronger gun laws, including mandatory gun safety training for all handgun purchases!

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