Congregation

You don’t have to be an animal expert to help out at your community’s shelter. You just need to have the time and desire to lend a helping hand. (And it doesn’t have to be a lot of time, either.) Here are a few ideas on how you can help!

Teach a class

Teaching shelter dogs to sit, stay, walk calmly on a leash or shake paws will make them infinitely more adoptable. The Humane Society and SPCA of Austin, TX, for example, have a team of volunteers who spend their time playing with puppies and taking adolescent dogs to obedience classes.

1. Find a shelter. Search for one near you.

Creating a neighborhood watch sounds easy enough, right? That's because it is. But here are a few tips on what's exactly involved in getting your watch up and running.

Meetings

The last thing anyone wants is more meetings to attend! With a neighborhood watch there are really only two major meetings that need to happen.

The First Meeting

Everyone can make a difference. Whether it is recycling or cutting showers short, everyone has the power to help put an end to global warming. So what are you waiting for? Here are some ways you can help our planet.

Use Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. By using three CFBs, you will save 300 pounds of carbon dioxide and $60 a year.

Fill the Dishwasher

You don’t have to run your dishwasher every time you eat. By filling it completely, you can save $40 and 100 lbs. of CO2 emission a year.

Write to your state officials.

Write to your representative and ask him/her to ban animal racing. If you live in a state that has greyhound racetracks, tell your state representatives to ban dog racing.

Ask your representatives to co-sponsor the Interstate Horseracing Improvement Act

Adding to your list of non-lame things to do at a nursing home, try filming a video lip-dub. They get seniors out of their daily oatmeal-sleep-more-oatmeal-more-sleep routine. Plus, they friggin hilarious.

Vampire energy refers to electricity that is drained from the outlet even when electronics are not in use. Follow these simple tips to save energy (and some money on the electric bill).

Unplug After Use

Once-a-day things should be unplugged after they are used.

• electric can-openers
• curling irons
• hair dryers

Unplug Once Charged

So many things run on battery. There's no need to keep it plugged in the wall once you've left the house.