One of the most common comments I get from Animal Rights haters is “Why don’t you guys help PEOPLE!? Forget about animals!” My response usually makes it clear that the Animal Rights activists I’ve met over my years in this community are the most philanthropically giving of any group I’ve ever come in contact with. Animal Rights is a Social Justice issue, therefore those who care about animals usually care even more about humans, their rights and their well-being. Of course, the idiots who make comments like the ones above are usually the same sort who have never volunteered a day in their lives or donated more than $10 to a charity. That said, my animal-loving friends are (no shocker here!) those who are currently doing the most for Haiti. Those who choose a compassionate lifestyle usually have a deeply sensitive weltanschauung that far surpasses those who choose to support cruelty. Thank you to our GirlieGirl Army Brother Joshua Katcher, of The Discerning Brute, for sharing his favorite ways to help Haiti below;
Google has provided and easy way to help contribute to the relief efforts in Hati. UNICEF is deploying clean water and sanitation supplies, therapeutic foods, medical supplies and temporary shelter to Jacmel and Port-au-Prince and CARE plans to start food distributions using stocks of high-protein biscuits from CARE warehouses in Haiti. Click Here to Donate
The American Red Cross is working with its partners in the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network, including the Haitian Red Cross, and other partners to assist those affected by this disaster. You can also text “HAITI” 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross.
Help Hati drop it’s almost 900M debt to the IMF and ensure that any emergency earthquake assistance is provided in the form of grants, not debt-incurring loans! Click Here.
Consider giving to an organization that is doing recovery work right now in Haiti. Mercy Corps and Haiti Partners are working on addressing key issues such as clean water and shelter for children. Our allies at Network for Good put together a list of organizations on the ground doing direct relief work today. With one click, you can donate to one, several or all of them.
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In addition to animals being rescuers, there are animals are in dire need of assistance as well. From family pets to wildlife, they should not be overlooked by rescue workers! The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is the world’s largest alliance of animal welfare organizations. Support their effort, Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) .
New Yorkers! Check out SuperVegan’s Bake Sale for Haiti during Vegan Drinks on Thursday, January 28, 7-9 p.m. at Angels & Kings. They NEED YOUR HELP, NY VEGANS! Many of you have crazy vegan baking skillz, and they want you to put those superpowers to work on behalf of the critters of Haiti. Also help, shop, and eat at another NYC Bake Sale for Haiti this Sunday, January 31! This vegan bake sale will be held from 11:30-6 at mooshoes to benefit Doctors Without Borders and their relief efforts in Haiti. There will be tons of homemade vegan goodies, including some from Babycakes and Whole Earth Bakery There will also be a raffle with loads of prizes, including gift certificates to mooshoes, Candle 79, Foodswings, Sweet Avenue Bakery, Lula’s, Tiengarden, signed cookbooks from Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero, and funky items from local crafters.
As with any disaster of this magnitude, animals are also suffering and in dire need of care. If you’d like to support HSI’s (Humane Society International) International Disaster Fund, which is used to help relief efforts around the globe, click here.
IFAW’s expert team of disaster responders is preparing for the worst. They are partnering with WSPA to mount a coordinated animal relief response. Your donation will help them buy the bandages, vaccines, antibiotics and other supplies for their mobile veterinary clinic.
Do whatever you can, from twittering an online auction of your art or photography to benefit Haiti – to buying a cupcake.. every little bit matters. But doing nothing doesn’t matter at all.