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 12 petitions you should sign this week, including End the Canadian Seal Hunt, Support Federal Mental Health Hotline, and Ban Fur Trapping Throughout the United States.

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

1. Make Hoarding Animals Illegal in Florida

In Florida, nearly 100 pets were trapped and died in a house fire. The people who adopted the animals were apparently heartbroken over the tragedy, but it’s hard to believe the animals had that great of a life considering so many were packed in there. Their neighbors had contacted Animal Care and Protective Services before about the issue, but Florida doesn’t currently have a law that limits the number of animals people can have. Please sign this petition to urge Florida lawmakers to make hoarding situations like this illegal! 

2. Demand Spanish Authorities Investigate Endangered Taxidermied Animals

Source: Associated Press/YouTube

Recently, over 1,000 taxidermied animals were found in a couple of warehouses in Spain. Many of the animals were endangered species, including polar bears, elephants, and lions. Authorities estimated that the collection was worth more than $30 million. The owner of the warehouse has already been suspected of other crimes and was even been investigated before the animals were found, yet he still hasn’t been arrested. Please sign this petition to demand Spanish authorities thoroughly investigate him and anyone else who may be connected to this heinous crime.

3. Federally Legalize Marijuana

Source: PBS NewsHour/YouTube

A bill recently passed in the house would make possession and distribution of marijuana legal. However, the house has passed pro-marijuana legislation before, only to see it get knocked down in the Senate. The reality is the war on drugs has been a massive failure, and many people are still sent to prison on marijuana charges. On top of that, the vast majority of people who are incarcerated for these crimes are black Americans. This new bill not only helps keep them out of jail but also supports programs to help people affected by the war on drugs through a marijuana tax. Please sign this petition to demand the Senate finally legalize marijuana! 

 

4. End the Canadian Seal Hunt

Source: The Dodo/YouTube

The Canadian seal hunt has officially begun again and Canada is allowing an outrageous 400,000 seals to be slaughtered this year. Hunters can murder seals as young as three weeks in age using either a firearm or a spiked club. Despite massive public opposition to this hunt, the Canadian government promotes both the hunt and the products produced from it. Please sign this petition to call on the Canadian government to end this barbaric practice once and for all! 

5. Demand Chocolate Companies Stop Using Child Labor

It’s entirely possible that the chocolate that you gave or got this Easter was made from child labor. In a recent lawsuit, several of the biggest chocolate companies in the world have been accused of using child labor to help produce their products. The lawsuit is being brought by eight people who said they worked as child laborers on cocoa plantations, some of them sustaining injuries and working years with no pay. Many of the large chocolate companies have signed pledges to stop using children in their labor forces, but years have gone by since they were supposed to meet the deadline, and not much has changed. Please sign this petition to demand chocolate companies ban child labor immediately! 

6. Add More Women Coaches in the NBA

Source: NowThis News/YouTube

Considering that most of the players in the NBA are black, it’s a bit concerning that a large percentage of the coaching staffs are still white. And when it comes to women being coaches in professional sports, there are just 7 in the entire NBA. The NBA has done a pretty decent job when it comes to speaking out against social justice issues, and they’ve certainly added more black coaches of late, but women deserve their fair shake too. Please sign this petition if you’d like to see the NBA add more women coaches! 

7. Pledge Not to Buy Bunnies, Ducklings, and Chicks as Easter Presents

As joyous as Easter can be, it can also be one of the more heartbreaking times of year for bunnies, ducklings, and chicks. This is because people will often gift these animals, and then once people realize they require effort and work to take care of them, they are then abandoned in shelters. Shelters see a large influx of animals come in at this time of year and many of these creatures will have to be euthanized. Please sign this petition to pledge to not take part in this selfishly cruel holiday ritual.   

8. Investigate Racist Behavior in a School in North Carolina

Source: The Damage Report/YouTube

In a town in North Carolina, students organized a “mock slave auction” in which black students were “sold” and children allegedly sang the n-word. On top of this, a black student was hesitant to even tell his mother about the incident because it seemed to be commonplace. An action plan has been approved to help curb bullying in the school, but more has to be done. Please sign this petition to urge the Department of Justice to investigate this racist behavior! 

9. Support Federal Mental Health Hotline

The pandemic and lockdowns have caused a great deal of stress, depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, and other mental health issues. More people are overdosing and committing suicide, and mental health counselors are overbooked and suffering from burnout. Luckily, a new federal hotline is being introduced which would allow callers to speak with mental health responders without having to deal with police intervention. Yet since so many people require this service, many are not able to get ahold of counselors due to the wait time. However, a small state tax could help support this project and bring it to the masses! Please sign this petition to get people the mental health support they need! 

10. Ban Fur Trapping Throughout the United States

Source: The Humane Society of the United States/YouTube

Animals who are caught in steel-jaw traps for their fur often undergo tremendous suffering. They may be stuck there for days before they finally bleed out, or are even beat to death with a baseball bat. A recent investigation Born Free and the Humane Society International showed just that and more in some horrifying footage. With so many fashion brands, magazines, and cities going fur-free, this is becoming more and more of a niche practice. California is the only state that has banned fur trapping so far. Please sign this petition to urge Congress to ban fur trapping throughout the United States! 

11. Ask California to Shorten the Workweek

Source: ABC News/YouTube

Working longer hours doesn’t necessarily mean you’re more productive. You may even be more productive by working less because you can get a chance to re-energize and not experience burnout. Recently, California lawmakers have considered a bill that would shorten the workweek to 32 hours for big companies. This comes on the heels of other large companies and even countries implementing this practice with large success. Please sign this petition to urge the California legislature to shorten the workweek! 

12. Urge Shangai Government to Give Residents Under Lockdown Food and Medicine

Source: ABC News (Australia)/YouTube

Since the beginning of April, residents in Shanghai have been locked in their apartments due to rising Covid-19 rates. However, while this may help limit infections, residents aren’t even allowed to leave their residences for food or medical care unrelated to covid. The New York Times has reported that some people can’t get ahold of medicine, operations are being postponed, and “at least two people with asthma have died after being denied care by health care workers.” Please sign this petition to urge the government of Shanghai to give their residents an adequate amount of food and medical help! 

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