Please do not volunteer unless you KNOW you will make the time and find a project you can live with. We take only rescued animals into the classrooms with us to help us teach lessons of respect for the feelings of others, compassion, mercy, empathy, tolerance, diversity, and other character issues. It actually goes into the schools under a “Character Education” curriculum, and is implemented during required “Guidance Counselor” classroom time, often during social studies, or language arts.

     We have had amazing success. Teachers report a minimum improvement of 85% (documented) in student classroom attitude, less disruptive behavior, less bullying, less fights, better focus and concentration, and thus improved academics, even higher standardized testing scores!!!! Teachers love that! We can walk you through implementation, train your volunteers, and share various ideas on how to access more schools as well. Provided the program is factual and aggressive, and clearly displays the present horror of the holocaustic efforts for which we are all responsible, the students can learn that by making just a few decisions correctly, they will progress beyond their parents’ mistakes - saving time, valuable resources, as well as saving the nation nearly $1 billion annually that is thrown into an overworked, underpaid, UNINFORMED, and failing system of Animal Control that is so inadequate - not to mention all the innocent lives that would be spared.

     Do not use the words ‘shelter’, 'euthanize' or ''put to sleep' . These words connote ‘protection’ and they gloss over the seriousness of the issues we are there to teach them. That is not what most of these facilities offer. They are dog pounds. Do not use the term ‘euthanize’ or the phrase ‘put to sleep’ because that literally softens the impact making it seem less important. Let students know that these dogs and cats are being ‘killed’. With today’s students having more pseudo-assembled families, experiencing things at much younger ages (i.e., the WTC attack), this information will not be traumatic. We must tell the truth. We cannot afford to sugar coat this atrocity. The animals are dying for someone to finally stand up and say ‘enough is enough’. We don’t mind the fact that a few people get their feelings hurt when you tell them the awful things that animals endure - if it would just save a few more lives!                 

     Are you uncomfortable with public speaking or unable to get out much, but would still like to help? Be the person who schedules speakers for these programs. Find speakers and schools and make arrangements for the two to meet. Help convince schools of the importance of humane education. Furnish printed materials for speakers (paper for flyers, mailers, homework, brochures, etc.) Make media contacts. Learn now to write a press release to inform the public about these events. www.21stcenturycares.org/prguide.htm 

     Speak in detail to a local Animal Control officer about specific problems in your community. Speak to someone at your local dog pound. Gather local and area statistics: number of animals secured, adopted, claimed by guardian, or killed, and how much time is allowed from the time of entry to the shelter until they are killed. Do they microchip? Do they spay and neuter prior to leaving pound? What is their screening process? Listen closely so you can share this with all who plan to speak and all who will attend the various events with flyers and info. This is not to make you an ‘activist’, but to give you the confidence and help you to be informed and to KNOW that you are right.

     The information you provide will indeed make a difference once they know it, too. Keep abreast of your local paper's ads. Convince them to cease 'Free To Good Homes' ads. Call all 'puppies' ads in your daily papers from people in your group. Ask if they have done background checks, and if they have an enforceable contract and if they offer a return policy. If they say “no”, this is your chance to educate these people! Offer copies of contracts and screening forms to them. (See “The Tragedies of ‘Free To Good Home’ Ads” for further details and access to these free forms.)

     Convince you local newspaper to periodically print animal welfare stories, and also to picture a few adoptable animals each week. Small businesses can sponsor each pet for a small fee and have their business listed just below. This offers revenue in exchange to help the paper with the costs, while providing inexpensive ad space for small businesses. Do a mailing to area businesses that explains your efforts. Some may respond in an offer to help. You may also ask them to give money toward a spay/neuter program. Attend all fairs, festivals, school athletic events, parades, walk-a-thons, etc. Have a booth or table with brochures of various subjects.

     If you bring a wide variety of printed info, you will certainly be surprised and pleased with all the opportunities you have to pass them out and hopefully change a few people's minds. Remember, it is more difficult to change the opinions of adults than it is to influence younger generations, but there are always exceptions. Don't pass them by. Ask your company for donations to help your efforts: computers and supplies, postage for mailings, printing services, etc. There are so many things to be done. Use your creativity and see that they happen!

     Feel free to contact us with ANY questions and suggestions you may have. 21stcares@citlink.net