If You See Something, Here’s What YOU Can Do

Animal Abuse and Animal Neglect can take many forms. It can be ongoing, or only happen once.  You can be very aware of a situation, or simply pass by and see something. Chances are, if you feel something is wrong with a situation, it probably is.

Here’s what you CAN and SHOULD do to report possible Animal Neglect and Animal Abuse:

• NEVER walk away. If you think you see something, or you know of an animal in an unhealthy or unsafe situation, you are obligated to act.
• Have a camera handy with a date-stamp? Take pictures of the situation. Additional proof of what you have witnessed can be instrumental and impacting.
• Don’t trespass unless the situation is extremely dire.
• Get help. Immediately. Call 911 first to alert police. Keep calm – you will need to be able to provide information and share everything that you have seen. You will need to provide them with the location of the animal in need (find the nearest cross street), the type of animal, the situation, your name, and your phone number.
• You may need to call more than once to bring a situation to attention.  So, make up your mind to be relentless.
• Don’t leave the situation until you have seen for yourself that 911 has checked on the animal. That may not be enough to ensure that animal’s well-being, but it’s a start.
• Go back and check on the animal. Many times, once 911 makes an initial appearance, no-one goes back to follow-up.  Sometimes YOU are the best ears and eyes for an animal in need. You may end up calling to report the same situation again.
• Follow up with an additional phone call to your local Humane Society chapter to also report the situation.  Note that many counties do not have a local Humane Society Chapter. They rely on either 911, reputable local Shelters, or Animal Control.
• You can contact the Humane Society of the United States (866-720-2676) for assistance in locating a chapter near you and for additional guidance on what else you should do.
• You can contact your State’s Department of Agriculture and Markets to report Farm Animal Abuse; a simple google search can help with that.
• Still not sure where to go? Reach out to us via our Contact Page, and we will help you connect with who you need to. Our e-mail is checked throughout the day, every day.
• Now is a good time to talk about anonymity.  Many people are afraid to report a crime against an animal for fear of being found out.  Proper authorities require your information, but they will not give out your information to anyone else. Never let that fear stop you from doing right by an animal in need.
• Is the animal still in trouble after local authorities have come?  Remember to then keep track of the animal and take pictures. Social Media can go a long way on impacting a situation. If local authorities are too slow to respond or refuse to take action, share about the situation and ask others to share. Talk to your local television, newspaper or radio about the issue. Keep to facts only. Don’t stop talking about the situation so that others don’t forget there still is an issue.

Click HERE on what to do if you come across an injured animal.

Remember, YOU may be the ONLY witness to an animal’s misery. You may be the ONLY one to take action and help.

It takes seconds to JUST DO SOMETHING, and your actions will make a positive difference in the life of an animal that may otherwise be living a miserable, painful life.