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As the clock strikes midnight and we welcome 2026, many of us are setting goals for the new year ahead. We promise to eat healthier, exercise more, or learn a new skill. But what if your New Year’s resolution could save a life?

While personal growth is important, this year offers a unique opportunity to look outward and make a tangible difference for the planet’s most vulnerable inhabitants. The trafficking of wildlife remains a global crisis, valued at up to $20 billion annually. It is an illicit industry that treats majestic living beings, like lions, tigers, bears, and thousands of other endangered species as mere commodities.

But there is hope. The fight against wildlife crime isn’t just for law enforcement agencies or international governments - it all starts with you. By making informed choices and raising your voice, you can help dismantle the demand for illegal wildlife products and ensure a safer future for our planet’s animals.

Here are 5 powerful, actionable ways to help animals in 2026 and become the advocate they so desperately need.

1. Become an Informed "Digital" Animal Advocate

In the age of scrolling and sharing, social media has unfortunately become a major marketplace for the illegal exotic animal trade. If you want to become an animal advocate in 2026, your first step is to curate your social media feed’s algorithm and help educate your social circle.

We’ve all seen them: videos of influencers cuddling tiger cubs, or celebrities posing with a "pet" monkey. While these clips might garner millions of likes, they often mask a dark reality of abuse. Captive cubs used for these photo ops are frequently torn from their mothers days after birth, subjected to massive amounts of stress, and often physically altered (such as being painfully declawed) to make them "safe" for handling.

How to take action:

• Stop the Scroll: Do not like, share, or comment on posts that depict humans interacting physically with wild animals. Engagement boosts the algorithm, which drives more demand for these cruel interactions.
• Report It: Most platforms now have options to report animal abuse or the sale of regulated goods. If you see suspicious activity, flag it.
• Spread Awareness: Use your own platform to share facts. Let your friends know that wild animals are not pets and that "cute" videos like these often directly, or indirectly help fund wildlife crime.

2. Vote with Your Wallet: Avoid Roadside Zoos

One of the most impactful decisions you can make this year is to strictly avoid roadside zoos and other types of unaccredited animal “attractions”. These facilities almost always prioritize profit over animal welfare, keeping animals in cramped cages with inadequate veterinary care.

Instead, make a pledge to only visit accredited sanctuaries. But how can you tell the difference?

True sanctuaries, like Lions Tigers & Bears, are accredited by organizations such as the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) or the American Sanctuary Association (ASA). Accreditation guarantees that the facility:

• Does NOT breed animals: Sanctuaries provide a forever home; they do not create more captive animals for profit.
• Does NOT allow public contact: You will never see a true sanctuary offering cub petting or photo ops inside a cage. These practices are dangerous and highly-exploitative.
• Provides lifelong care: Animals are never sold, traded, or used for entertainment.

By choosing to visit and support only accredited facilities, you help cut off the revenue stream that fuels the abuse of threatened species.

3. Be the Eyes and Ears for Law Enforcement

You don’t need a badge to help with protecting wildlife. Everyday citizens can play a crucial role in alerting authorities to illegal activities.

The trafficking of wildlife is not just an overseas problem; much of it happens right here in the United States. In fact, the U.S. remains a significant destination for trafficked animals and their parts. If you suspect someone is illegally selling exotic animals, keeping a prohibited species (like a tiger in a backyard), or trading in banned wildlife products (like ivory or tortoise shell), speak up.

Who to contact:

• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS): You can report tips directly to their dedicated line at 1-844-FWS-TIPS (1-844-397-8477) or email [email protected].
• Local Authorities: Contact your local animal control or police department if you believe an animal is in immediate danger or poses a public safety risk.
• Lions Tigers & Bears: We also assist in coordinating information through the proper channels. You can reach us at [email protected] or 619-659-8078.

Your report could be the key to an exotic animal rescue that helps save a life!

4. Donate Money to Fuel the Fight

Rescue is expensive. The cost to rehabilitate and house a single big cat or bear for its lifetime can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. When you donate money to an accredited sanctuary or conservation organization, you aren't just buying food; you are funding a complex operation dedicated to the rescue and survival of abused and neglected animals.

Financial contributions allow sanctuaries to:

• Conduct Rescues: Transporting a tiger across the country requires specialized medical transport, veterinary teams, and permits.
• Provide Veterinary Care: Many rescued animals arrive at our sanctuary with severe health issues, from malnutrition to botched declawing surgeries that require expensive, ongoing medical treatment
• Build Habitats: Endangered species need vast, secure spaces to roam, swim, and climb, mimicking their natural environments as closely as possible.
  

If a monetary donation isn't possible, consider checking a sanctuary’s "Wish List" for supplies. Every bag of food, enrichment toy, or cleaning supply helps offset costs, allowing more resources to go toward protecting wildlife.

5. Volunteer Your Time and Skills

If you want to get hands-on in 2026, why not volunteer your time? Animal rights activists and welfare organizations rely heavily on the passion and dedication of volunteers to keep their operations running smoothly.

Volunteering at a sanctuary isn't just about cleaning enclosures (though that is vital work!); it’s about lending your unique skills to the cause. Are you a graphic designer? A writer? A construction pro? Sanctuaries often need help with marketing, event planning, facility maintenance, and various administrative tasks.

By volunteering, you become an insider in the world of exotic animal rescue. You see firsthand the resilience of these animals and the dedication it takes to care for them. Plus, you become an ambassador in your community, sharing stories that inspire others to care about threatened species.

At Lions Tigers & Bears, our volunteers are the heartbeat of our organization, helping us maintain our high standards of care and education.

A Year of Action

The crisis facing our planet’s wildlife is undeniably heavy. With millions of animals trafficked and thousands kept in unsuitable private ownership, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. But remember: every massive movement is made up of millions of small actions.

By resolving to avoid roadside zoos, report crime, donate money, or volunteer your time, you are actively dismantling the systems that harm animals. You are helping to ensure that tigers, bears, and leopards are respected as wild beings, not exploited for profit.

Let’s make 2026 the year we collectively turn our compassion into action!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How can I tell if a facility is a roadside zoo or a real sanctuary?

The quickest way to tell is to check for accreditation from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) or the American Sanctuary Association (ASA). Additionally, if a facility allows you to hold, pet, or take photos with wild animals (especially cubs), it is likely a roadside zoo prioritizing profit over animal welfare.

2. Is it illegal to own a tiger in the United States?

With the passing of the Big Cat Public Safety Act in December 2022, private ownership of big cats is now largely banned, and public contact (cub petting) is prohibited. However, "grandfathered" private owners may still keep their existing animals under specific restrictions, meaning many tigers remain in backyards.

3. What should I do if I see a wild animal for sale on social media?

Do not engage with the post (likes or comments). Instead, report the content to the social media platform immediately using their reporting tools. You should also report the account to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service via their tips line or email.

4. Why is the illegal wildlife trade so difficult to stop?

The trade is incredibly lucrative, estimated at up to $20 billion annually, making it attractive to global criminal networks. It is fueled by high demand for exotic pets and animal products, inconsistent laws across different countries, and corruption.

Ready to make a difference right now? Start your year of advocacy today by exploring our Wildlife Trafficking Education Page or by making a tax-deductible contribution to our Emergency Rescue Fund to help us answer the next call for an animal in need.