Do Unto Others : Part 3

50 Awesome Ways Kids Can Help Animals: Fun and Easy Ways to Be a Kind Kid
by Ingrid Newkirk

(Page 3 of 3)

Rodents' cages should be cleaned at least once a week (more often if you imagine yourself small enough to live in there and think, "Pfew!"). And your small friends will love some supervised time outside of their cage every single day, although, before taking them out, search the room and floor boards to make sure there are no openings they can squeeze into and get stuck or lost.

Here's a tip: If you have both males and females, keep them in separate cages so you don't end up with a tribe of small animals. Female rodents can live nicely together, except for hamsters, who really do prefer to be alone. Most male rodents will fight, and no one wants that.

Rabbits

Rabbits love to be inside, just as cats do, although they'll let you know by stamping their feet if you are doing something they don't approve of. If you have rabbits who are kept outside, check that their hutch is totally dog proof and weatherproof and is raised on legs at least two feet off the ground. The hutch should have:

A large screened outdoor area for stretching out and fresh air

A snug nest box of solid wood

Lots of hay for burrowing

Roofing shingles attached on the outside of the box to protect it from bad weather

Here's a tip: Avoid bringing rabbits in and out of the house if the air-conditioning or heat are on, since rabbits are very sensitive to dampness and changes in temperature. Be sure to switch the hutch from outdoors to indoors before cold weather comes and if you see bunny tilting his head or scratching his ears as if they hurt, take him to the vet as fast as you can. If you have small caged animals, put a star by the things in this chapter you'd like to start doing to improve their lives.

How Do You Rate?

Take this quick quiz and find out how much of a friend you are to animals:

1. It is almost summer and your cat starts to shed her winter fur. It gets all over the sofa, her favorite hangout. You decide to:

a. Hit her and scold her whenever she hops up on the sofa, then lock her outside for a time.

b. Comb and stroke her carefully every day to rid her of loose hair and cover the sofa with an old sheet for however long it takes.

c. Ban her from the sofa room for a few weeks but make her an alternative bed with cushions in the garage.

2. You've only had your bird for a few weeks when he becomes quiet and won't touch his food much. You decide:

a. He is easier to handle when he is quiet-and you'll save money on birdseed if he doesn't eat.

b. To find him a companion from a sanctuary so that he's not lonely anymore, buy or make him some new toys, and let him out to fly around the room at least once a day so he doesn't get bored.

c. To let him out of his cage once a week to fly around part of the room.

3. You have just been given a tame rat. When you get her home, you:

a. Release her somewhere in your house, near where the cat sleeps.

b. Ask your dad to help you build a big comfortable cage for her, with ladders, exercise wheels, and a private sleeping box filled with cozy old socks. Then you set about researching all the foods rats love to eat.

c. Find an old birdcage in the shed and put her in that, with some shredded newspaper and food pellets, and go back to watching TV.

Mostly a's There's an animal emergency in your house! You're not totally aware of how to care for animals in the way they need, so sometimes you cause them harm. You need to keep right on reading, starting with this book! Then your cat-and every other animal in the world-is guaranteed to think very highly of you.

Mostly b's Congratulations! You're one super-sensitive and totally kind kid. You're aware of how fragile animals are and how they need to be cared for, and your animal pals love you for it. Share your caring ways with friends and family-most of all, keep it up!

Mostly c's Here's the good news: you're halfway to being the compassionate person you could be. You know what you need to do to care for animals, but the bad news is that you don't always follow through with it. Keep reading and learning about animals' needs, and you'll definitely get there!

Check It Out

Make a list of everything you can do to make life great for each animal in your household. Tape the list where you can check it every day. This way, you won't forget they're depending on you to look out for them, always!

If you have hamsters, other rodents, birds, or rabbits, write to PETA at 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510, or log on to www.petakids.com for some the great tips on keeping your best animal buddies happy.

Previously published as Kids Can Save the Animals
Copyright © 1991, 2006 by Ingrid Newkirk

About the Author

Ingrid Newkirk is a British-born animal rights activist, author, and president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the world's largest animal rights organization. She co-founded PETA in 1980 with American activist Alex Pacheco, and is the author of several books about animal liberation, including Free the Animals, You Can Save the Animals, and Making Kind Choices, which has a foreword by Sir Paul McCartney. Newkirk is best known for the campaigns and stunts she organizes on behalf of PETA in order to promote animal rights and veganism.