Julie Knopp
Want to make a real difference for animals in 2025? Check out this list of effective actions!
If you care about animals, you’re not alone—our love for them is everywhere, from the dogs and cats we cherish to viral videos showcasing their heartwarming behaviors.
And yet, the majority of animals on our planet face urgent threats to their existence, from climate change to factory farming. Farmed animals are especially vulnerable, because—despite harsh conditions in a profit-driven food system—they remain exempt from welfare protections that cover other animals. (There are no federal animal welfare laws for farmed animals, and most states exempt common factory farming practices in their animal cruelty statutes.) If you’re ready to take action and make a meaningful difference for animals in 2025, here are eight practical ways to start helping animals today!
1. Support animal-friendly policies
Holding corporations and governments accountable can improve the lives of countless animals. Initiatives like corporate cage-free commitments and policy wins such as California’s Proposition 12 have helped ease the extreme suffering of billions of animals in the food system. By speaking up, you can help increase the pressure for even greater change. Join The Humane League’s Fast Action Network to stay informed about opportunities to advocate for animals!
2. Visit a farmed animal sanctuary
Advocating for animals, especially those unfamiliar to many of us, is more effective when you have personal stories and connections to share. Farm sanctuaries rescue abandoned or unwanted animals, offering them a safe and loving forever home where they can thrive. Many farm sanctuaries offer tours, work days, or other opportunities to spend meaningful time with the animal residents. By getting to know the animals you advocate for, you can better defend them and draw strength to persist in your efforts.
3. Volunteer to help animals online and in-person
There is a tremendous need for volunteers in the animal protection movement. Whether you want to provide support from home through online activism or whether you want to (literally) get your hands dirty by cleaning barns at a sanctuary, there are countless remote and local opportunities. Start making a difference today by searching online or signing up to volunteer with The Humane League today!
4. Donate to animal causes
Animal and environmental protection consistently rank as one of the least-funded causes among American donors, despite the dire needs. Estimates suggest that perhaps 23 billion land animals are currently confined to factory farms around the world. Nonprofit organizations like The Humane League are making measurable improvements to the lives of these innocent animals, and your support can accelerate this life-changing work.
5. Don’t support companies that harm animals
Many animal protection organizations publish lists of companies that are among the most harmful to animals, from businesses that inflict painful cosmetics testing on animals to food companies that disregard animal welfare considerations. Check out this list of the 10 Worst Companies for Animals, this corporate “naughty list,” or this list of companies that have yet to deliver on their cage-free promises. By familiarizing yourself with companies to avoid, you can better direct your business to companies that care about animal welfare.
6. Try more plant-based foods
Shifting towards plant-based eating is a powerful way to protect animals. Reducing demand for meat, dairy, and eggs can decrease the number of animals trapped in factory farms. Every plant-based meal is a stand against the cruelty and extreme confinement that animals suffer in our food system.
Plant-based eating also safeguards the planet. Animal farming is far more resource-intensive than growing plants and is a major driver of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. By opting for more plant-based foods, you protect both farmed animals and wildlife alike. Whether you want to try a “Meatless Monday” or a plant-based diet, you can click here to learn how to get started.
7. Find a community of animal advocates
Advocating for animals—or any marginalized group—can lead to burnout, especially in a movement that, while powerful, remains smaller than others. As an animal advocate, you may occasionally feel frustrated or isolated, which is why finding a supportive community is essential for long-term activism. Connecting with others who share your commitment helps sustain your efforts—start by seeking local meet-ups or volunteer opportunities, or even organizing one yourself!
8. Speak up in your community
The place where you can have the greatest impact is in your own community. When you learn of local harm to animals or opportunities to protect them, speak up and take action. Whether through social media or at a city council meeting, shedding light on animal issues helps raise the profile of animals in social and political conversations. Every time you advocate, you amplify the voices of animals.
Let’s make 2025 a groundbreaking year for animals!
If you’re reading this, it’s clear you care about animals, and they need your help now, more than ever. Whether through a one-time donation or regular volunteering, your support can create lasting change. Together, we can make 2025 a historic year for animals!
