“Shelter Pet Adoption” Postage Stamps

After lauding high-tech’s contribution to cruelty-free in the previous post, today I want to say that good old fashioned snail-mail offers some options, too.  On April 30th, the U.S. Postal Service released its new Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet postage stamps.  So let’s combine old and new by using the Pet Finder iPhone app and purchasing some Animal Rescue stamps. Let’s find these animals loving homes and really put the kibosh on those puppy mills!  At the post office last week, I asked for two books of the stamps and was delighted when the postal worker remarked they were already running low.  Not only is the cause a good one, but also… who could resist the pictures of those lovable cats and dogs?  “Better put in an order for more, quick!” I said.  She assured me, laughing, there were more on the way. YES!

In addition to using the new postage stamps, I also get creative whenever I seal an envelope.  I have a small collection of various stickers that gives me an opportunity to add a personal “cruelty-free” touch to my correspondence.  I have sheets of return address labels from numerous animal welfare organizations, which they often send in response to charitable donations.  I love using these, along with whatever larger stickers they include as part of their appreciation bundle, happy to do a little PR for many favorite orgs.  I also have a bunch from the Animal Legal Defense Fund — “Abuse an Animal, Go To Jail!”  As Co-Director of my law school’s student chapter, I am especially passionate about ALDF’s work in the area of Animal Law.  On a lighter note for more congenial correspondence, I have some stickers from PETAKids that have colorful, cartoon-like illustrations along with slogans like “Chains are for bikes, not dogs” and “Be a Bunny’s Honey: Don’t Wear Fur.”  I know many of my family and friends look forward to these cute stickers whenever it’s time for a greeting card from me.

But I don’t stop with family and friends. Oh no.  I’d like to think my little stickers help to break up the monotony of the day for someone whose job it is to receive and process — all day long! — bill payments via regular mail.  Imagine spending the day opening envelope after envelope after envelope.  And then, here’s an envelope that stands out, is just a little different from the rest: “Cut class, not frogs!”  A momentary smile. That’s right… with something so simple, we might brighten someone’s day and add an element of fun for ourselves to paying the bills. This, while spreading the cruelty-free message.  Snail-mail has its perks, after all

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