PETA’s tips for helping animals while traveling

Compassion never takes a vacation, and people who help animals at home often want to do so while they’re traveling. Whether it’s where we stay or what we wear, what we eat or the sights we see, our choices can make a difference.

PETA has put together a list of tips including requesting down-free pillows and comforters in your hotel room; and picking up trash from the beach to prevent animals from becoming entangled.

1. Fly animal-friendly airlines

If you’re arranging your own travel, be aware that the skies aren’t always friendly: Air France, for example, still ships monkeys to be used—and often killed—in cruel experiments around the world. Delta, United, China Southern, and El Al are among the many airlines that don’t do this, so book with them and let Air France know why it isn’t getting your business.

2. Request a vegan meal

You can request specialty meals on most long flights. Find out which foods different airlines offer—and remember that the only truly animal-friendly label is “vegan.”

3. Pack leaflets and stickers

Compassionate travelers should pack leaflets and stickers, which make it easy to speak up for animals wherever you go and no matter how you get there. If you’re flying or taking a train, slip an animal rights booklet into the seat pocket before disembarking. Put a “Let Them Be Free: Boycott SeaWorld” or “Only Bullies Wear Bunnies” sticker on your luggage, laptop, or golf bag and you’ll send a kind message to everyone from the cab driver to the housekeeper.

4. Request down-free bedding

Sleep easy and help ducks and geese by requesting down-free pillows and comforters in your hotel room. Unlike feathers that have been torn out of birds, down alternatives will keep you warm and cozy without any cruelty.

5. Use cruelty-free toiletries

Many hotels also offer luxurious, cruelty-free shampoos, soaps, and lotions, so book your stay at one of them, or pack your own personal-care products. Visit PETA.org to find out which companies never test their products by dripping them into bunnies’ eyes or injecting them under guinea pigs’ shaved skin.

6. Leave kind comments

Hotels usually place notepads at the bedside. Leave a note on your pillow (along with a tip) explaining that it takes nearly 2,500 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of beef and that by going vegan, each person can save about 1,100 gallons of water a day—and animals’ lives.

7. Dine Kindly

Where does a hungry, humane traveler eat? Just about anywhere! Whether you want to linger over a  fancy meal or grab something to go, more and more restaurants are catering to vegan tastes.

HappyCow will help you locate vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants around the world, and many nonvegan restaurants will gladly create a one-of-a-kind vegan entrée upon request. The Veganagogo translation app covers 50 languages, making it easy to order a kind bite in many countries. But no matter where you’re heading, learn how to say, “I’m a vegan,” in the local language. (It’s also good to know how to say, “Please,” “Thank you,” and “There’s an injured animal—can you help me?”)

8. Amusement Without Abuse

Well-meaning people are often duped by “wildlife” attractions, unaware of the cruelty that animals endure in captivity. If you can ride, hug, or take a selfie with an elephant, tiger, dolphin, or other wild animal, you can be sure that the animal has been abused. Parks, nature preserves, beaches, and  accredited wildlife sanctuaries are great places to see animals thriving, not being exploited.

9. Keep it clean

If sun and surf are on the itinerary, help animals by picking up trash from the beach. Litter can kill animals who become entangled in or eat it. For instance, a whale who was stranded in Norway recently was found to have ingested 30 plastic bags and other pieces of trash.

10. Look out for strays

Always be ready to help animals in need. Ask about local shelters, and carry a can of food in case you see a hungry cat or dog. Set aside a little travel money to help local humane societies that find homes for animals or work to save horses from the grind of hauling heavy carriages. Think of it as a voluntary tourist tax—the good kind.