34 easy things anyone can do for animals

When it comes to spreading the word about your passion there's a fine line between good intentions and alienating people. No one wants to come across as a preachy 'do-gooder'.

I hope that's not what I do here. For what they're worth, these are my babysteps to animal activism. Most of them are small and easy and can be done without leaving the house or talking to anybody, although some of them do involve getting out a bit. None of it's too scary: if I can do them, anyone can.

1. Subscribe to the email updates from animal welfare and animal rights organisations

Of which there are many, national and international, so maybe pick one or two. My favourites are Compassion and Animal Aid. Whichever you choose, they are all great at giving ideas for action and helping you stay informed. If you're not keen on receiving email...

2. Bookmark animal charity sites

So you can read them at your convenience without unwelcome email popping up in your inbox.

3. Sign petitions

Sites such as Force Change, Care 2 and - if you're brave, PETA – as well as many others regularly run animal rights petitions (you can even set one up yourself). Once you start you will acquire others, although you can unsubscribe at any time.

4. Tweet and retweet petitions

When you've signed a petition you're usually invited to share it on social media. I sign so many animal petitions that I set up my own dedicated animals rights Twitter feed, which is a great way to spread the word without alienating people (which I found was the case on Facebook (which I'm not on any more)).

5. Follow animal organisations on Twitter

Twitter can be a brilliant, quick way to become aware and informed, help create awareness, and find like-minded people. Participate in Twitter storms, rock those hashtags, feel like you're making a tiny difference. It's a fascinating world.

6. Follow the Twitter feeds of famous animal rights activists

Ricky Gervais, Peter Egan, Jane Goodall, and Pauline McLynn are all prolific and entertaining tweeters. If you're lucky, you might get retweeted by one of them!Leonardo di Caprio's twitter feed is also not what you'd expect from a Hollywood movie star.

7. Raise money for the Humane Society (UK) by completing surveys for Survey Monkey

Each time I fill in a survey 50 pence is donated to the HSUS. It only takes a few moments.

8. Donate to animal charities

One-offs as and when, or, if you can, set up a regular donation.

9. Sell things on Ebay for animal charities

You can choose to donate all or a portion of your profits to an animal charity.

10. Consider setting up birthday and Christmas charities

This can be tricky as giving gifts can be as much about the giver as the receiver, and some people may feel uncomfortable about giving to a charity they personally don't support. However, the older I get the less interested I am in acquiring 'stuff'. If you can, try asking people to give the equivalent of what they'd spend on a gift for you to your charity instead. If you're given cash or cheques anyway (as I sometimes am), donate them to your charity, or take them to your local animal charity shop.

11. Shop in and donate to animal charity shops

If you have some things to donate, consider your nearest animal charity shop. If you're a charity shop addict like myself, make the animal one in your town your first port of call.

12. Sponsor people who are raising money for animal charities

Perhaps you have friends or colleagues who are taking part in a sponsored event for an animal charity. Or maybe there's someone in your local area who's skydiving, abseiling or climbing a mountain (you'll occasionally find them in local newspapers). Sponsoring them is a great way to make a local connection and 'pay it forward'.

13. Look online for animal charity events

Google 'animal charity events 2016' in your area and see what's going on. Sometimes there'll be a market stall, or a film showing or some such that you can attend. One of these days I will make it to the annual Stand Up for Animals gig at the Comedy Store.

14. Buy products from animal charities

Many charities have online 'shops' where you can buy gifts and even certain occasional necessaries such as Christmas and greetings cards.

15. Don't buy from companies that test on animals

This can be a minefield of misinformation, contradiction and confusion. PETA has a list of international companies that are cruelty free but it is quite complicated and convoluted. I love Lush and Beauty Without Cruelty for many reasons, one of them being that they have a proud tradition of not using ingredients that have been tested on animals. These graphics are a start:

16. Sponsor an animal or bird

Snow leopards, leopards, tigers, elephants, elephant orphans, rhinos, dogs, cats, hedgehogs... Any animal you want. Google it and see.

17. Join local animal advocacy groups

Again, this involves Googling the animal rights and welfare groups in your area. You're bound to find something you can get involved in.

18. Leaflet, put up posters

Many organisations will mail you leaflets, flyers and posters that you can distribute in your area.

19. Consider reducing your meat and dairy intake

Many people may need to eat meat and dairy for health reasons, but that does not mean meat needs to be eaten at every meal, every day. Try a meat/ dairy-free day, or eating meat just 2-3 times a week.

20. Buy meat from certain sources

If you lessen your intake it may make it possible to shop more selectively and spend a little more on the quality and provenance of meat. Local farm shops and farmers' markets sell organic, free-range meat from animals that have been killed more 'humanely'.

21. Consider buying one veggie/ vegan product

Have a look in the vegetarian aisle or frozen section for sausages, mince, burgers, 'chicken' pieces, many of which can be just as nice or even better than the meat version.

22. Consider trying a vegetarian or vegan restaurant

Some of those too can be quite nice – honest! (and usually a lot better than ordering the vegetarian option in a non-veggie restaurant).

23. Have a look at vegan recipe sites
If the thought of vegetarian and vegan cooking makes you think of hairy hippies mixing their own muesli, think again. Modern vegan cookery is a whole world away. The Recipe Monster at One Green Planet is a mesmerising array of creative possibilities. Try picking one recipe and having a go.

24. Speak out when you see animal cruelty

Give animals the voice they don't have. If you see a case of animal neglect or abuse, report it to the RSPCA.

25. Complain when you see cruelty to animals on TV

PETA's motto is 'Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, use for entertainment or abuse in any way'. Even if you don't agree with all of that, animals certainly have a right to dignity, and not to be laughed at. If you see animals being exploited on TV, call or write to complain.

26. Don't buy pets from shops or breeders

If you're thinking of getting a pet, consider approaching your local animal shelter rather than a breeder.

27. Consider faux alternatives to leather, silk and wool

Many modern faux alternatives can be just as gorgeous, and some vegan leather is indistinguishable from the real thing. If you must buy leather, try going second hand.

28. Make your garden animal friendly

As a shaky gardener, I'm learning there are many ways to attract insects, butterflies, birds and hedgehogs into our little back yard.

And for a little comfort zone push:

29. Do something to raise money yourself - and let others sponsor you

You don't have to run a marathon, climb a mountain or throw yourself out of a plane. There are many events run by the various charities – walking or running a mile, for example, or:

30. Host a coffee morning, bake sale or evening soiree

Organise one of these and donate the proceeds to an animal charity

31. Write to your MP
We need to stay vigilant about fox hunting and the badger cull. Make sure your MP knows how you feel about them.

32. Volunteer
Animal shelters appreciate dog walkers, for example: a happy compromise if you don't feel able to have your own.

33. Become an animal foster carer
Some animals need rehabilitation through foster carers, on a one-to-one basis, as they are unable to cope with the shelter environment. This can be full-on, time consuming and possibly emotionally draining, but well worth it.

But if I were to choose just one thing to do for animals, it would be:

34. Be mindful of all animals

If you can, try to pause a moment to thank the animal that gave its life for your meal, your clothing, your household or beauty product. All animals deserve our recognition, reverence, awe and gratitude. They are innocent bystanders to our destruction. They do actually have voices, and do try to tell us quite powerfully how they feel. We just need to listen.