[Bonanza]

For Immediate Release: 5/07/2014

Today’s Date: 5/07/2014 Event Date: May 2014
Contact: HS/SPCA: Claudia Labbe’, Fundraising/PR 352-817-3995 cell
Title: May is National “Be Kind to Animals Month”
(Lake Panasoffkee, FL 5/07/2014)

The Humane Society/SPCA of Sumter County is recognizing May as National "Be Kind to Animals" Month but the local non-profit animal rescue knows this principle should be upheld year-round. Kindness STARTS with you and cruelty STOPS with you. Some suggestions of how to show your compassion for the welfare of animals are provided.

It starts by setting a good example for your children, your friends and your neighbors about proper animal care. Stand up for that innocent animal when you witness any act of cruelty, whether its beating, neglecting, starving or endangering an animal.

It STOPS when the community demonstrates that they won't tolerate it and the suffering of these voiceless animals won't continue any longer. Who else do the animals have to protect them but you? The HS/SPCA encourages the public to contact Sumter County Animal Services or local law enforcement if you witness an act of animal cruelty. You are their first form of protection if it is in an abusive situation. Whether it's a dog, a sheep or a bird, animals DO know the difference between kindness and cruelty, joy and fear, peace and torment.

Do something extra special this month in honor of "Be Kind to Animals" Month but live by that philosophy all year long. You'll never regret it and neither with the animals you helped. Some ideas of how you can help are:

-organize an event (car & dog wash, drink stand, bake sale, 5K Run, etc.) to raise donated funds to help the animals at the HS/SPCA,

-challenge your friends and family to match your donations, ie, for every donated dollar you raise, your sponsors will give you a certain amount. Imagine how many animals you can help!

-have a yardsale and gather items from your neighborhood to sell.

-volunteer your time to help the animals. You help directly with animals at our shelter by walking dogs, brushing cats, cleaning kennels or litter boxes. Help at an adoption event or by doing office work, yard work, delivering/picking up supplies, handing out our info at events, answering phones, etc. Volunteers are needed so more lives can be saved…and that’s not just animals’ lives who are changed but people’s lives as well.

Proceeds raised will fund programs of the Humane Society/SPCA of Sumter County which help reduce animal homelessness, neglect, hunger and pet overpopulation within the County. For more information on upcoming events or if you wish to volunteer, contact the Humane Society/SPCA of Sumter County, Inc. at 352-793-9117 or visit hsspca.org.

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[BarryRX]

Thanks for the post. We tend to think of dogs and cats when we see a post like this, but over 95% of our food comes from factory farm operations! which can be unspeakably cruel.