What is humane living? It means considering animals and their welfare when making everyday choices. It's easier than you might think to live humanely--as simple as providing fresh water for wild birds or adopting a pet from your local shelter. By practicing a humane lifestyle, you can impact so many aspects of life around you, from the environment, to animals, to your own health. Read on to learn more.

Go Veggie
Many consumers don't make the connection between the neatly packaged food they purchase in stores and how its production may cause suffering for billions of farm animals, or harm the environment. Abstaining from eating meat products (going vegetarian), even for a few days a week, is a great way to help reduce animal suffering and it's a significant way to positively impact animal welfare, the environment and your personal health.

• Think "going veggie" is tough on the run? Try a quick veggie hotdog, garden burger, or any of the ready-to-eat veggie items available today.
• Dining out veggie with your friends can be as easy as checking out vegseattle.com.
• If you are traveling, don't forget to check out happycow.net which lists veggie restaurants and grocery stores around the world.
• Planning a dinner party? Try vegweb.com or veganchef.com for simple to exotic culinary ideas.
• Help farm animals directly by volunteering at a farm animal sanctuary.
• Learn more about vegetarian or vegan lifestyles as a way to live humanely.

Help Your Local Pet Shelter or Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Many pet shelters and wildlife centers provide a variety of rewarding opportunities to help animals in your community. They rely on your support so get involved!

• Give a PAWS pet adoption gift certificate.
• Host a gift drive and collect supplies for PAWS or your local shelter or wildlife rehabilitation center.
• Inspire a friend to adopt from PAWS or another companion animal shelter or rescue group.
• Stay current on animal issues in Washington State by signing up for PAWS' e-newsletters.
• Volunteer at PAWS or your local wildlife rehabilitation center or animal shelter (search for nationwide volunteer opportunities at VolunteerMatch.org)--you can walk dogs, answer phones, feed wild baby birds and more.
• Be a life-saver: foster a litter of orphaned kittens or puppies.

Educate Others
It takes everyone to make a better world for animals: pass on what you learned and share your compassion for animals with others.

• Explain to your neighbor why their outdoor-only dog would love to be inside with the rest of the family.
• Ask teachers about alternatives to dissection. Read more in the Humane Society of the United States' online dissection campaign packet or at AnimalLearn.org.
• Teach a child why it's cool to be kind to animals.

Speak Up for Animals
You can make a difference in the lives of animals by speaking up. Report animal cruelty and, be a voice for suffering animals who have no other friend. You can make a lasting impact by simply speaking up.

• Call 911 if you see an animal in imminent danger.
• Help an abandoned or stray animal: report the situation to your local Western Washington animal control or take her to the nearest shelter.
• Speak out for an abused or neglected animal: all pets need good food, fresh water, shelter, vet care and love.
• Support animal-friendly legislation. Check out PAWS' latest Washington State legislative coverage.

Be a Responsible Pet Guardian
Companion animals enrich our lives in so many ways. Ensuring proper care of your best friend is the foundation of a long, happy, and healthy relationship.

• Spay or neuter your cat or dog, and prevent unplanned litters.
• Always make sure your pet wears an ID tag, and has a microchip for extra peace of mind.
• Keep your cat indoors or only in a secure outdoor cat enclosure, ensuring both he and local wildlife are safe.
• Take your pet for an annual health check-up and keep up-to-date on all her vaccinations. Find a veterinarian in your area on Pets911.com or the American Animal Hospital Association's website.
• Give your cat a sturdy scratching post to satisfy his need to scratch--don't declaw him.
• Sign up for one of PAWS' dog training classes to build a better bond with your dog and find out how he thinks.

Help Your Wild Neighbors
One of the biggest challenges facing wild animals is habitat loss. Take charge and help out your wild neighbors at home.

• Landscape with native plants--they provide food and shelter for wild animals.
• Provide clean fresh water for birds.
• Hang mobiles in or stick decals on your windows so birds don't fly into them.
• Wait to prune trees and shrubs until well after baby birds and mammals have left the nest.
• Secure your garbage can lids so wildlife can't feed on your leftovers.
• Install vent covers so wild animals don't set up home inside your house.
• Recycle--reducing and reusing means less in our land fills and saves wildlife habitats
• Always leave wild animals in their natural habitat where they belong.
• Get help for injured and orphaned wild animals. Place baby birds back in their nest if they fall out and aren't hurt--their mothers and fathers will come back to take care of them!
• Eat local, organic foods, grown without pesticides, which don't pollute animals' habitats.

Be a Cruelty-Free Consumer
Did you know your lotion or makeup might have been tested on animals? By choosing cruelty-free products you can help end the suffering of animals.

• Read clothing labels carefully--make sure any fur you wear is fake.
• Choose personal care products not tested on animals--check out leapingbunny.org.
• Shop for cruelty-free clothes and shoes.
• Don't buy wild or exotic animals as pets.
• Go see circuses that don't use animal acts.
• Choose environmentally friendly businesses.