WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO HELP
An editorial by Kitty and Mom

Running No More Cruelty! for the last seven years has been both a joy and oftentimes, frustrating. A joy, because we know that we are helping animals through educating others. A frustration, because the cruelty doesn't seem to stop. Nevertheless, we have trudged on. From your letters and posts in the guestbook we know we are making a difference. Thank you.

There have been times we took some time off and left NOC for a few months. Other times, we kept news updates on monthly. Mom's work commitments and health has had a part to play in this. All the while, we have always pondered the question, what else can we do?

In the last six months I became elder brother to two young kittens Mom and Dad adopted. It was their way of making an extra difference but I didn't understand it then. They were (still are) very naughty, and I was angry, insecure, and jealous. Mom and Dad made an effort to make sure I still felt loved, and well, I am doing alright with them now. I see Mom overjoyed when she sees all three of us get along, and I reckon it is all worth it, having to share my space with them, even if sometimes they overstep their boundaries.

Mom and I would like to take this time to gather our thoughts and offer a list of what else you can do:

• Educate yourself - read up about animal welfare: what is happening, what you can do, how to rebutt animal haters when they start to argue with you about their notions of animals, how animals and children can live together (furry animals actually reduce asthma risk if they live with your children since birth).
• Educate others - start up an educational website, as we have here at NOC. Correct misguided notions on animals.
• Adopt an animal companion - don't buy from the pet store. Adopt a stray (remember to first take it to the vet before introducing it to your other animal companions). But ensure that you can give it a good quality of life before you do so.
• Teach your children - teach your children respect for all life and kindness to animals. You will have brought up a compassionate human being and made a world a better place. Lead by example, and your children will follow suit.
• Donate to those in activism - money helps sterilise strays, print educational materials, house the homeless, and keep the work going.
• Become an activist - work with PETA and other organisations to actively educate the public.
• Become a vegan or vegetarian - one of the best ways to reduce animal cruelty is to stop eating them. Being vegetarian for ethical reasons is one of the strongest statements one can make to the public. Mom became vegetarian in June.

  Erik Marcus wrote an excellent book Vegan: The New Ethics of Eating, which he very kindly offers in a free download. Alternatively, support him by buying it in print. It outlines the health, ethical, and ecological reasons for adopting a vegan lifestyle.