29 Actions to Help Protect Animals, the Planet, and our Health

October 1 was World Vegetarian Day, October 2 was World Farm Animals Day, and all of October we’re celebrating Vegetarian Awareness Month. In the spirit of the season, here are 29 actions you can take to encourage plant-based eating—to help protect animals, the planet, and our health:

1. Take a peek behind the closed doors of factory farms—and share this with someone else.
2. Educate yourself about the benefits of choosing vegetarian foods.
3. Request a free vegetarian starter guide for yourself or a friend.
4. Try a new vegan recipe and invite some vegan-to-be friends over for a dinner party.
5. Check out our tips on easy and delicious egg-free baking.
6. Empower yourself with information and outreach tips to effectively speak out for animals.
7. Volunteer to leaflet, host a feed-in, or table at an upcoming festival or conference.
8. Lend us your professional skills in event planning, marketing, writing, or administration.
9. Intern in our Takoma Park, Md., or Torrance, Ca. office.
10. Reach out to a restaurant to ask for more vegetarian options.
11. Invite our staff to speak at your school or work, or to your club or other organization.
12. Gather your family, friends, and colleagues at your home to host a COK benefit party.
13. Run for Compassion. Sport your “Ask Me Why I’m a Vegetarian” shirt
    in the race.
14. Wear it again for your next trip to the grocery store, street fair, or to the airport. When approached by curious passersby, offer them a TryVeg.com bumper sticker.
15. Tell your Facebook friends about the recent class action lawsuit accusing the dairy industry of killing young cows to inflate the price of milk.
16. Urge Dunkin’ Donuts to add a vegan option.
17. Leave a comment on WeLoveSubway.com asking for Tofurky deli slices – and post this action alert on your Facebook wall asking others to do the same.
18. Watch our commercials and help us get more of them on the air.
19. Read our blog, Voices of Compassion, to stay up to date on events, campaigns, and important veg-related news.
20. Subscribe to our national e-newsletter.
21. “Like” our Facebook page.
22. Follow us on Twitter at @TryVeg.
23. Get a jump start on your humane holiday shopping.
24. Use GoodSearch to browse the Internet and GoodShop to buy things online. When you designate COK as your cause, we earn a contribution with every click.
25. Give us something from our wish list.
26. Donate your used car. Make sure the next one you buy has cloth interior.
27. If you are a federal employee, donate through the Combined Federal Campaign or your employer’s state or corporate campaign and have your contribution matched.
28. Become a member today. Already are one? How about becoming a monthly donor, making a tribute gift in honor or memory of someone special, or giving a gift membership for a birthday or other celebratory occasion.
29. Leave a compassionate legacy. Include COK in your estate plans and designate a portion of your assets to support our efforts to help us build a more humane future. If you have a charitable trust, consider adding COK as a beneficiary to realize this vision during your lifetime.