Your mission: Spread the word about animal cruelty and the need for better anti-cruelty laws.

Why? Whether pets, farm animals, or wildlife, victims of cruelty can suffer terribly. Those who abuse animals are more likely to commit violent crimes against other people. It's crucial that these incidents are reported to the right authorities.

How? Spread the word in your community about what people can do about animal cruelty. Follow these steps:

1. Know your stuff. Cruelty to animals is illegal in all 50 states, but definitions and punishments vary widely. Cruelty generally includes neglect as well as malicious acts. It also includes animal fighting.

Use the links below to find out how your state rates on its animal cruelty law. Are animal cruelty, dogfighting, and cockfighting misdemeanors or felonies? Does the law include cruelty to farm animals or wildlife? What are the punishments? Is counseling required or recommended for offenders? Then, get to know the steps for reporting animal cruelty.

State animal cruelty laws:
humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/abuse/state_animal_cruelty_laws_080109.pdf

Dogfighting laws:
humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/animal_fighting/dogfighting_statelaws.pdf

Cockfighting laws:
humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/animal_fighting/Cockfighting-laws-state-ranking.pdf

2. Complete ONE of these project options.

• Write On. If your state's cruelty law ranks low, write to your state's elected officials.
• Be a Mentor. Teach younger students about animal cruelty and what they can do about it.
• Hold a Fundraiser. Raise money to spread the word about dogfighting and what people can do about it.
• Be a Party Animal. Hold an event at school to educate your friends and classmates about cruelty.
• Be a Poster Child. Spread the word about our $5,000 reward for those giving information leading to the arrest and conviction of a dogfighter.

3. Tell us about it. Fill out our Mission: Accomplished web form to give us details on your project. If you did a classroom presentation, include the teacher’s and school name and any student survey feedback. If you wrote to your elected officials or newspapers, send us copies of any letters to lawmakers and newspapers.

Your reward: Be KIND wristband