Misha Peleg is an entrepreneur and businessman who is passionate about the environment and animal welfare. He supports causes that benefit both domesticated and wild animals, and, we wanted to share, has made donations to animal-centric charities.
1. Use Cruelty-Free Cosmetics
Testing cosmetic ingredients and products on animals is banned in the EU, the UK, and many other countries. However, animal testing is still permitted in China and most US states. Lab animals may spend their whole lives in indoor cages, irritated by cosmetic ingredients on their fur and in their eyes. When buying shampoo, conditioner, soap, makeup, or other toiletries, check for a label. It should say, “cruelty-free,” or “not tested on animals.”
2. Sponsor, Foster, or Adopt from a Shelter
Some animal lovers are unable to adopt or foster a dog or cat, whether from allergies, lack of space, or they already have enough pets. Sponsoring a shelter animal helps pay for food, supplies, and medicine while they wait to find a forever home. Support rescue organizations and no-kill shelters so dogs, cats, and other animals can receive care in safety.
For those who are able to take on a new animal, fostering helps shelters from becoming crowded, which makes space for other animals that may not be easily adopted, such as senior or special-needs pets.
If you are ready to take on a pet, try to adopt or shop responsibly. Some people may be intimidated by shelter animals, but with proper training and bonding, shelter pets can be great companions.
3. Symbolically Adopt an Animal
For animal lovers who like to take a walk on the wild side, donating to nonprofit wildlife organizations is a way to help animals large and small, at home and abroad. Many zoos are also dedicated to research, rehabilitation, and helping endangered animals. When you sponsor or symbolically adopt an animal, you can choose from creatures like orangutans, elephants, pandas, tigers, and more.
4. Avoid Single-Use Plastic
Plastic pollution harms animals around the globe. Fish, turtles, and other sea creatures ingest microplastics, and small shards of plastic material end up in animals’ stomachs. Try to use alternatives like glass, wood, paper, or metal to keep our oceans plastic-free. Always dispose of waste properly, and make sure to recycle when possible.
5. Plant Native Flowers
If you have outdoor space, whether it be a garden or an apartment window box, you can plant native flowers to attract pollinators. It’s not just bees and butterflies either— moths, bats, hummingbirds, even beetles and more animals can pollinate flowers. Plants also help keep the soil healthy for worms and other bugs in the ground.
Misha Peleg is a serial entrepreneur and philanthropist. Having founded several highly successful companies since the early 1990s, he uses his business success to support a wide range of non-profit organizations throughout the world. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.