Our world is having a crisis. People are struggling, but have you stopped to think of the toll this is taking on animals? Especially animals in zoos, factory farms, and animal shelters.

  Let's start with zoos. They are having trouble feeding animals and their donations are getting low. The zoo animals are also missing having humans and their behavior is odd. Zoo keepers do not know how animals will react to the increase of humans once zoos reopen.

  Next, we have factory farms. They are unsanitary and packed with stressed animals being killed one by one. These stressed animals are spreading disease within these tight quarters and could easily spread the sickness to humans, potentially creating a new pandemic. Consequently, huge factory farms are now being shut down due to their hygiene issues. All the extra animals that they were planning to kill and ship off as meat now have nowhere to go. What genius solution did factory farms come up with?  Imprudently slaughtering any extra animals by the hundreds to make space.

  Lastly, we have animal shelters. People do not have the money to care for their pets and are worried their pets might have COVID-19. They are taking their pets to shelters and, due to lack of space, the shelters have to euthanize the animals. Not to mention that animal shelters are getting fewer donations than ever and have to lay off hardworking employees.

  Yes, these things that are happening are not ideal, we don't want them to happen. But we do not have to willingly accept any of these events. We have voices, we can speak up and make a change. Here are four ways you can help:

1. Foster a pet

2. Donate to animal shelters and zoos

3. Do not eat meat from factory farms (non factory-farmed meat is more expensive, but it helps innocent animals lead happier lives)

4. Raise awareness on COVID-19s' effects on animals

   Be the difference and change lives. Please sign to show your support; if we can get enough signatures we will be able to draw attention to the matter. Thank you for taking action!!