The pictures are heartbreaking. Each day I open my paper to see more animals in distress, caught up in the massive oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico. Rescue teams are working to contain and clean up the oil, but they can't do it alone. U.S. News & World Report has a great list of 10 Things You Can Do to Help the Gulf Coast Clean the Oil Spill. Here are a few that directly impact animals (read the full article here):
- Volunteer. You can register online in Louisiana or Florida or sign up on Oil Spill Volunteers to be matched with a group that needs volunteers. Any and all help is needed, including wildlife cleanup.
- Trigger a donation. Buy a bottle of Dawn dishwashing detergent, then visit the Dawn Web site to activate a $1 donation by Dawn to the Marine Mammal Center and the International Bird Rescue Research Center.
- Report animals in distress. If you're in one of the affected areas and see an animal in trouble, don't approach it -- call the hotline for injured-animal sightings at 1-866-557-1401 and leave a message with the animal's exact location.
- Give money. If you live outside the coastal region, you can still make a big difference for wildlife by supporting the groups on site. The National Wildlife Federation is one of many organizations accepting donations for coastal relief.
- Send hair (yours and your pet's). Have you brushed your dog
or cat recently? Matter
of Trust is collecting donations of hair, fur and nylons that it
uses to soak up the oil.
Do you know of additional ways to get involved? Tell us!
You might also like:
Blog: Hatian animals find relief with ARCH, more help needed
Blog: New film, MINE, examines questions of pet custody after Hurricane Katrina
