Longtime animal rights advocate Doris Day is calling on us to pay special attention to the treatment of dogs, cats, and birds in our neighborhoods. April is Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month.

In her first post for Larry King’s page on CNN, the actress who lives in Carmel, Calif. says it’s the perfect time to ask for help with her campaign for humane treatment of our four-legged friends.

“You would not believe how much mail I receive and the terrible stories I hear about dogs chained and left for hours, crying all the time; or cats confined to the smallest spaces and left in the cold, or other tales of dogs, cats and birds that are too shocking to tell to humane and sensitive people,” she writes.

Day says many communities have formed effective neighborhood watches which look out for each others’ properties, as well as reporting any inhumane treatment they see to authorities. She adds that pets are more important than property and should be a priority.

“At the very least, animals should have shelter, food, water, protection from the weather and the company of their guardians,” she reminds us. “That’s the absolute minimum. I am asking you to make sure the animals near your home, school and/or workplace are well treated.”

Animal abuse is illegal, so Day suggests we become proactive as we would be with any crimes in our area.

She says if you hear barking and crying, check it out. It you hear the barking and crying repeatedly and think the animal is being abused – look to see what’s going on, and if necessary, report the problem right away.

Doris Day Animal Foundation is a non-profit organization established by the actress to further her goals of caring for the wonderful critters who so enhance our lives.

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