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 Stop the Shipment of Live Chicks, Stand with Chicago’s Hunger Strikers Against Environmental Racism, and Ban Live Animal Markets and Factory Farms to Prevent Future Pandemics.

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

1. Support the Jane Goodall Act

Source: cpac/YouTube

A groundbreaking piece of legislation has been introduced in Canada! The Jane Goodall Act would ban new captivity of great apes and elephants; strengthen already-existING bans on the import of elephant parts as “trophies;” and grant”legal standing” to great apes, elephants, and cetaceans so they are viewed as sentient beings instead of property. This act would offer amazing protections to these often-exploited wild animals. Let’s show our Support! Sign this petition to urge Canadian lawmakers to pass the Jane Goodall Act!

2. Ban Photos that Glamorize Exotic Animal Ownership on Instagram

Source: PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)/YouTube

Wild animals should be just that: wild. Sadly, many are stolen from their homes and families so they can become photo props. It’s become quite popular for people to post photos on social media in which they are posing with baby monkeys, rare white tigers, lion cubs, and other wild animals. Even worse, celebrities are promoting the trend by taking part in the exploitative practice. These poor wild animals suffer in captivity without enough social interaction, proper stimulation, or room to roam. Then, once they outgrow their usefulness as status symbols for the rich, their lives are often cut short since they cannot be released into the wild. Exotic animal photos are a huge catalyst behind the demand for exotic pets and thus, fuel the exotic animal trade. Sign this petition to tell Instagram and its chief executive, Adam Mosseri, to ban photos depicting exotic animal trafficking!

3. Demand the Resignation of Kentucky’s Attorney General

Source: NowThis News/YouTube

Breonna Taylor was an innocent Black woman who was killed after police with a no-knock search warrant fired 32 rounds into Taylor’s home. After the murder, Black Lives Matter activists all over protested and demanded justice for Breonna Taylor. Instead, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced that no charges would be filed against the cops responsible for killing Breonna Taylor. The only charges are against Brett Hankison, the cop who fired blindly from outside the apartment into two different units, for endangering the lives of others. Cameron had the opportunity to bring charges against the officers responsible for Taylor’s death, but he refused. Cameron’s outrageous delay in investigating her death is now outshone by his decision to protect both the individuals and institutions that freely oppress and harm Black communities without fear of retribution. Sign this petition to demand Daniel Cameron’s resignation and justice for Breonna Taylor. Black Lives Matter.

4. Stand Against Anti-LGBTQ Bills 

Source: Human Rights Campaign/YouTube

Right now, there’s a wave of anti-LGBTQ bills being introduced and considers in many state legislatures. In 17 states, proposed bills would prohibit doctors from providing healthcare to transgender youth. In 25 states, proposed bills would ban transgender youth from school sports, and in eight states, proposed bills would allow blatant discrimination against LGBTQ people in the name of “religious freedom.” Governments should be passing bills to protect those who experience discrimination, not trying to legalize the violation of their human rights. Sign this petition to tell state legislatures to vote down all discriminatory anti-LGBTQ bills!

5. Open Investigation into Cat Abuse Case

Recently, an indoor cat named Dagger snuck out of his home. His family searched for him for hours, but when they finally found their sweet cat, he was in terrible condition. Someone had tightly tied a retractable dog leash around his neck on one end and around a tree on the other, causing such severe head trauma. Dagger is fighting for his life, but authorities have yet to say if an investigation is opened. The vet said that Dagger’s condition clearly indicated animal abuse at the hands of a human. The person who did this has to be found and stopped before they hurt any other animals or humans. Sign this petition to implore the team of dog wardens at Clermont Animal CARE Humane Society, led by Chief Troy Taylor, to immediately begin investigating what happened to Dagger!

6. Provide Free Summer Meals to Students

Source: CBS Evening News/YouTube

It’s estimated that around 11 million children in the U.S. face food insecurity and this has only been made worse during COVID. These children often rely on meals they receive at school to be able to eat, so the few-month break during summer can be especially hard for them and their families. Fortunately, because of the pandemic, The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has said that this year they will continue to provide free meals to kids over the summer this year. However, what about in future summers? Food insecurity will not go away for everyone, even as the COVID situation improves. Sign this petition to urge the USDA to provide free summer meals to any students who need them every year going forward

7.  Stop the Shipment of Live Chicks

Source: riza korhan oztunc/Shutterstock

Every year, 20 million day-old chicks are thoughtlessly thrown into boxes and shipped as “perishable goods” through the postal service. They are supposed to arrive at their destination within 72 hours, but delays aren’t uncommon. Thus, even in the “best-case,” baby chicks are kept in overcrowded boxes without food or water for three days – even in extreme weather. The situation has been made much worse by COVID shipping delays. Typically 1-2% percent of chicks die during transit. In August of 2020 entire shipments of chicks were arriving at their destination dead. Thousands of chicks are dying because of this dangerous and unethical practice. Sign this petition today to tell the United States Postmaster General to end the practice of shipping live chicks in the mail.

8. Stand with Chicago’s Hunger Strikers Against Environmental Racism 

Source: WGN News/YouTube

In Chicago’s Southeast Side, a predominantly low-income Latinx community, activists recently completed a 30-day hunger strike in opposition to a metal shredder that is supposed to be built in their community. The company behind the shredder, Reserve Management Group (RSG), violated the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s standards three separate times since 2006. They were asked to cease plans to build a facility in a predominantly white, affluent neighborhood in the city, and now, its “reincarnation” is moving into the Southeast Side. The shredder could release tiny metal pieces, called particulate matter, into the air and cause severe lung and heart issues. At the beginning of February, activists began to starve themselves in protest of this obvious case of environmental racism, but the city refused to listen. These activists have been forced to end their hunger strike and regain their strength so they can continue fighting. Let’s stand with them and make sure their efforts were not in vain. Sign this petition to demand that Chicago’s Mayor, Lori Lightfoot, immediately suspend all permits for the construction of Southside Recycling!

9. Pass “Bird-Friendly” Glass Building Ordinances

Source: 6abc Philadelphia/YouTube

As many as 1 billion birds die from collisions with glass-sided buildings every single year in the U.S. It is a heartbreaking, yet entirely preventable problem. Some states, cities, and companies have already started to institute bird-friendly glass requirements to protect birds. The glass on these buildings has special designs so that birds can recognize the glass as a solid object and avoid flying into it. Sign this petition to demand that several of the largest cities in the United States — including Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston — pass “bird-friendly” glass building ordinances!

10. Ban Live Animal Markets and Factory Farms to Prevent Future Pandemics

Source: Vox/YouTube

COVID-19 has forever changed our world. Millions of people are still coping with long-term health issues, grieving the loss of loved ones, struggling to pay their bills, dealing with food insecurity, and trying to find a new job. As more people continue to get vaccinated, it feels like things are looking up. However, we have to be prepared.

Most infectious diseases can be traced back to animals, including COVID-19. Large live animal markets, livestock auctions, and factory farms provide a perfect breeding ground for another pandemic just like this one. Sign this petition to demand an end to live animal markets and industrial factory farms to avoid another public health disaster.

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