Be Kind to Animals Week

Running from Friday 1 to Thursday 7 October, Be Kind to Animals Week is a time to reflect on the importance of being kind to animals and demonstrate how simple acts of kindness can have an enormous impact on all the furred, feathered, fleeced, and finned beings we share this planet with.

The goal for Be Kind to Animals Week is to have over 5,000 pledges from people to commit to eating kind.  This involves a commitment to dine on plant-based recipes for the week, shopping and living kind as well, something that is needed now more than every during these tough times.

The Be Kind to Animals Week campaign was started by Edgar’s Mission, a wonderful not-for-profit sanctuary for rescued farmed animals.

To support participants in their pledge, Edgar’s Mission will be sending out free Kindness Kits along with daily emails filled with plant-based recipe inspiration and other kindness tips. They are also offering participants the chance to win a hamper full of ethical goodies.

As a long term animal welfare advocate and pet behaviourist, I have seen much research and know through my own interactions that animals feel pain and emotions, share languages, family bonds, and rituals.   This is something government, industry and we as individuals should be recognising more in our interactions with animals and through our lifestyle choices.

Switching to a plant-based lifestyle, is one way to reduce our impact, even if it is just swapping out meat based meals for plant based ones a few days out of your week, if a total plant-based lifestyle is not something you could or would consider.

Edgar’s Mission has rescued 196 animals in need over the past 18 months and their sanctuary is home to between 400 and 500 animals at any given time.

Be Kind to Animals Weekis a great opportunity to stop and think about how being kinder can improve our own lives, animals’ lives and the world. In addition to reflecting on the simple choices we make every day, including what we eat and the products we use, Be Kind to Animals Week aims to show the many ways people can make a positive impact on animals’ lives.

This can include supporting a local animal welfare charity by volunteering or donating, organising a beach or park clean up to keep wildlife safe from harmful litter, leaving water out for local wildlife and so much more.

To make your pledge and for more information, free fun resources and a downloadable colouring competition for kids, please visit bekindtoanimalsweek.org.au

About the Author: Lara Shannon is a certified dog behaviourist and trainer, Executive Producer and Host of Pooches at Play on Channel 10 and editor of Poochesatplay.com. Lara runs her own dog training business in Melbourne’s Bayside area, is a sought after pet expert speaker and Author of Eat, Play, Love (your dog) and World of Dogs.