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 8 petitions you should sign this week, including Demand YouTube Remove Ads from Potentially Lifesaving Videos, Tell MAC Cosmetics to Go Cruelty-Free, Help Save Red Wolves from Extinction, and More!

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

1. Tell Oregon to Ban Animals from Being Used in Traveling Entertainment Shows

Animals who are used in entertainment shows and in traveling animal acts often suffer horrible fates. They are torn away from their families, spend most of their days in cramped cages, aren’t able to socialize with other animals, and a transported in tight quarters. On top of that, trainers will often use punish the animals to get them to do what they want. Please sign this petition to urge lawmakers in Oregon to pass this new bill which will ban animals from performing in traveling entertainment shows!

2. Demand YouTube Remove Ads from Potentially Lifesaving Videos

Source: NewsNation/YouTube

Last month, after a shooter had terrorized Michigan State University, a student was attempting to listen to police radio to find out where the shooter was located, but first had to listen to a 30-second ad. In a life-or-death situation, this is unacceptable. On top of this, YouTube regularly runs unskippable ads before videos showing CPR or the Heimlich maneuver. Please sign this petition to pressure YouTube to remove these unskippable ads from these potentially lifesaving videos!

3. Help Save Squirrel Populations in Texas

A recent report has discovered that squirrel populations have dropped by 92% at a wildlife refuge in Texas, the lowest they’ve been in more than 30 years. Squirrels are critical to the local ecosystems as they plant seeds and increase forest cover. Extreme weather and less food may account for some of this, but more research needs to take place to find out why their populations are dwindling so drastically. Please sign this petition to urge the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to help conserve and Support squirrel populations!

4. Tell Missouri to Pass the CROWN Act

Source: KSDK News/YouTube

Black people have been attempting to conform their hairstyles for years to meet a superficial standard that is rooted in white supremacy. A recent study even found that black women had much more anxiety about their hair compared to other racial groups and were twice as likely to feel as though they should straighten their hair compared to white women. All hairstyles and textures should be welcomed and black people shouldn’t have to feel stressed about their natural hair. Please sign this petition to urge Missouri to pass the CROWN Act, which will make discrimination based on someone’s hairstyle illegal!

5. Tell MAC Cosmetics to Go Cruelty-Free

Source: HSUS/YouTube

In 2014, China eased restrictions on animal testing for cosmetics, which allowed companies selling general cosmetics to opt out of animal testing if they wanted to. This means thousands of animals each year will be spared from horrific and brutal torture in laboratories. Herbal Essence, Dove, and Supergoop are some of the companies that have chosen to go cruelty-free under this new rule, yet MAC Cosmetics still hasn’t made this commitment. Please sign this petition to urge MAC Cosmetics to go Cruelty-Free!

6. Tell Walgreens to Dispense Abortion Pills

Source: MSNBC/YouTube

Walgreens has decided to not distribute abortion pills in 21 states where Republican state attorneys have threatened legal action if the company chose to do so. Even though abortion is legal in some of these states, the drug is safe, and the attorneys probably won’t be able to restrict access to the drug anyway, Walgreens has still chosen to bend to the legal pressure and negatively affect the health of millions of Americans. Please sign this petition to urge Walgreens to dispense these important abortion pills!

7. Urge El Salvador to Shut Down Its New Mega-Prison

Source: Insider News/YouTube

A mega prison has opened up in El Salvador that will give inmates not even half the space that is required for transporting cattle under EU law. This comes at a time when the country is in a humanitarian crisis as the government is abusing its citizens in the name of “cracking down” on gang violence. El Salvador already has the highest incarceration rate in the world and they do not need a new prison. Please sign this petition to urge the government of El Salvador to shut down this new mega-prison!

8. Help Save Red Wolves from Extinction

The rarest canines in the world are Red Wolves, with less than 20 of them left in the wild. Efforts to recover their populations over the last few decades have fallen short. Hundreds of them have been shot by hunters during this time because they resemble coyotes, yet authorities have not carried out a single prosecution. Please sign this petition to urge authorities to commit more resources to save this nearly extinct species!

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!