Animal advocacy is all about ensuring that more and more people are aware of the state of animal rights and understand the importance of fighting for their well-being and preventing them from suffering. Nowadays, there are countless options for individuals to do it in forms of volunteering in shelters or sharing insightful content online to raise awareness, for example. Organizations can be found all around the world and getting involved is quite easy for anyone interested. Wildlife conservation sites and the animals they are protecting and advocating for are always looking for volunteers to join in the fight for better lives of animals, whether endangered, injured or some simply in need of love. If you find yourself hesitant to take that step just yet, keep reading to find out how your trip can make a real difference.

Why become an advocate

It goes without saying that animals are unable to advocate for themselves. That is why there is a need for people to be the voice of the animals and protect their livelihoods. Multiple species all around the globe are endangered, their habitat has become nearly unviable, or they suffer from other problems due to different reasons. A lot of the time the cause is done by humans. Fortunately, there is much we can do to be of help and counteract at least some of what we have done poorly. When traveling, why not do some good during the trip and help protect animals? There is much to learn about all the animals and their world on each corner of the earth and by getting involved with a local animal conservatory, for example, you can learn in the process – interesting and effective. This also supplies you with the tools needed to become a great advocate.

Different ways of advocating for animals

By signing up as a volunteer for animal conservation, you support the well-being of a vital part of the ecosystem. There the volunteers get to feed the animals, clean their spaces, give them proper exercise by playing with them, help with research and more. The mere presence and affection towards the animals can play an important part in volunteer work as well. By helping at conservation centers or shelters you can advance the animals’ safe return to the wild and support an entire species’ vitality. There are countless animal shelters and conservation centers in many travel destinations that are short on staff and could use all the help they can get. To be an advocate, research and contact them before your trip if you wish to help that way and give some of your time to the animals – they will thank you.

Leaving the destination you travel to better than it was before is called regenerative tourism. It leaves a positive impact on local nature and the animals and can be one of the ways to be an advocate for animals. You may practice it in multiple ways in addition to volunteering. For example, during a trip abroad, you can be of assistance to animals by simply picking up trash on your way. Especially plastic trash left behind can be dangerous to wildlife, both on the ground or in the ocean. Doing research on service providers beforehand ensures you can support responsible services. Keep an eye out for souvenir shops that sell animal products, and if you wish to see animals on your trip, make sure they are treated properly before booking anything. When you come across an ethical and responsible animal sanctuary or experience or vice versa, share it with your family and friends. They are also more likely to visit ethical places when informed properly about how animals could be treated elsewhere.

By volunteering through Ekomatkaajat, you get to experience animal advocacy first-hand and learn what kind of work there is to be done for the better life of animals. Alongside of animal advocacy, we speak on behalf of responsible and sustainable tourism. Join our volunteering trips to learn all about these important topics and make a difference by traveling!

-Viivi

Lähteet:
Animal Advocate Alliance – What Is Animal Advocacy
Animal Advocate Alliance – Why Become an Animal Advocate
Lobbyists4Good – Animal Advocacy