FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 5, 2011

April is National Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month, the perfect time to remember how lucky we are to have furry friends in our lives - and to learn how to keep them safe. The Seattle Humane Society offers these helpful tips on how to look for signs of animal cruelty, how to report it, and how to teach children to have empathy for animals – to ensure a better future for humans and animals alike!

Know the Signs of Animal Cruelty:

Animal cruelty can come in many different guises, and they aren’t always physical. Here are some signs to watch out for:

• Wounded animals, either with open wounds or scarring. Limping or other difficulties moving around can also be indicative of abuse.

• Animals who are left outside with no shelter from the elements and/or are chained for extensive periods of time.

• Emaciated animals. An emaciated animal has visible bone protrusions, usually around their ribcage or along their spine.

• Hair loss, skin lesions or matted fur.

• Animals who are forced to live in their own excrement.

• Animals who are crated in a space that is too small to move in comfortably or are kept in a crate for extensive periods of time.

Learn How to Report Animal Cruelty:

If you witness or suspect animal cruelty, gather as much information as you can, and report it to your local animal control agency. While Seattle Humane supports efforts to prevent cruelty to animals, animal control agencies have the legal authority to investigate and enforce animal cruelty or abuse cases. For the phone number of your local animal control agency, please visit our website at seattlehumane.org. Information provided to animal control agencies remains confidential.

Teach Your Children to Be Kind to Animals:

Children who learn to be gentle with animals are more likely to become caring and responsible adults. Here are a few easy ways to teach your children empathy for our furry friends:

• Involve them in pet care responsibilities. Let them help walk the family dog, or feed the family cat.

• Put a bird feeder in your back yard!

• Take your child to your local animal shelter. At the Seattle Humane Society, you and your children can brush, pet, and play with our adoptable cats.

• Volunteer to provide temporary foster care to a pet in need.

• Contact the Seattle Humane Society to arrange to have our MaxMobile visit your child’s school. Our MaxMobile brings humane education and adoptable pets to the community.

• Enroll your child in Seattle Humane’s Animal Adventures Day Camp this summer!

Visit us online at seattlehumane.org or in person at 13212 SE Eastgate Way in Bellevue to learn more.