The ASPCA, the animal welfare group, reported that more than 6 million pets are abandoned each year in the U.S., which is an alarming rate.

Most of these pets end up in shelters and are probably euthanized; hence, it is time for pet owners to take action to promote pet welfare in our community.

Here with us is Harvey Adam, an animal rights advocate, and pet lover who has been partaking in pet welfare programs for the last 15 years, to answer some of our queries.

Interviewer: How about we start by discussing how many pets you have in your home?

Mr. Adam: Oh, I’m a big animal lover and have a variety of cuties in my home, including four dogs, five cats, a tortoise, who basically hides itself half of the time under some rocks, and a few guinea pigs.

I have always dreamed of being surrounded by animals and have always taken the opportunity to adopt them from friends, local shelters, and sometimes lost and found.

The tortoise Sam, my friend, gave it up as he decided to move to Canada, so it has been with me for the last three years.

Interviewer: I suppose nobody could understand what these animals may feel better than you. Can you point out some common pet welfare issues today?

Mr. Adam: Even after many efforts, several concerns remain, such as physical abuse, improper sheltering, puppy mills, and overcrowded shelters.

Due to financial hardships, numerous people cannot afford veterinary and personal care for their pets, which often leads to abandonment.

These various pet welfare issues can be positively addressed by spreading awareness and combating animal cruelty, advocating for stronger animal cruelty laws.

Interviewer: What is your experience in promoting pet welfare at the community level?

Mr. Adam: I have been fostering stray dogs and cats, advocating for their rights, and volunteering at a pet shelter for more than a decade now, which, in my view, are great ways to work toward the welfare of pets in a community.

If you have a place and resources, why not take in homeless pets and care for them until they find a new home?

Or, if you have time, you can volunteer to care for these lost pups and cubs in shelter homes and adoption centers.

Interviewer: Media is a huge platform to propagate any voice. What are your views on effective ways to promote pet welfare through media awareness?

Mr. Adam: Well, the first thing we can do through the media is raise awareness about the plight of innocent animals and advocate for a strict policy on the state or national level.

Informing people how to behave and care for their pets, as well as to be more compassionate toward them, promotes positive knowledge, understanding, and attitudes toward companion animals.

Besides that, by utilizing the media, you can amass the pet-loving people and speak out. For example, you can help animal shelters and rescue groups by joining campaigns and seminars, voting for laws that protect animals, and opposing laws that harm them through your personal or group social media pages.

Interviewer: Do you agree that social media platforms can do better in promoting pet welfare?

Mr. Adam: You are absolutely right! Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Reddit forums, and Twitter are fantastic stages for spreading awareness and educating about pet care.

You can create engaging posts, share heartwarming stories, and use eye-catching images or videos of pets to attract attention and raise awareness.

Then there is a Boost button, which you can use anytime for a worthy cause.

What’s better, collaborating with pet-loving influencers and celebrities can amplify your message through social sites and inspire more people to take action.

Furthermore, you can create online pet welfare communities and allow people to share experiences, seek advice, and support each other through regular updates and virtual events.

Interviewer: What other things can be done using social media besides community forums and online groups?

Mr. Adam: Well, circulating educational videos and running webinars on social media platforms to raise voices against animal cruelty could also be highly beneficial since social media networks connect billions worldwide.

Pet training and pet care educational videos provide useful guides to novice parents, which in turn enhances the proper growth and positive treatment of the animal.

Meanwhile, conducting webinars helps many people learn about others’ encouraging experiences with their pets, if you are to find like-minded people.

Trust me; you can spark much faster action by promoting creative campaigns through social media. Many folks are able to do that.

Interviewer: For those who are new to animal rights and pet care advocacy, how do you suggest they can help?

Mr. Adam: Fostering and adopting are the first choices! Firstly, you need to find a local shelter, choose a pet that suits your lifestyle, and complete an adoption application.

However, many shelters require a meet-and-greet session to ensure that your home is safe and suitable and that you are a good match for the animal.

Similarly, you need to do the same for fostering a pet. The only difference is you need to attend foster orientation or training sessions conducted by the shelter or organization.

Then, you need to prepare your home, let the organization check it, and, after receiving a pet, provide love, care, and socialization until you help him find a forever home.

Closing Thoughts

Promoting pet welfare through media awareness requires creativity, dedication, and a deep understanding of your audience.

You can just write from your heart, and people will listen to you. There are millions of such examples around the world.

You can make a significant impact by leveraging social media, informative videos, local media outlets, online communities, influencers, and interactive campaigns.