The Wildcat Sanctuary offers practical guidance for turning concern into informed advocacy.
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Seeing a wild animal used for a photo opportunity, kept in troubling conditions or presented as a suitable pet can leave us wondering what to do next. Speaking up matters—but an effective response begins with careful observation and a clear account of what happened.
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The Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, Minnesota, accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), addresses that question in its guide, “How to Advocate for Animals: What to do if you see animal exploitation.” Its message is empowering: ordinary people can help by reporting concerns, researching facilities, making informed choices and encouraging others to do the same.
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DOCUMENT WHAT YOU OBSERVE
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If it is safe, record the date, location, animals involved and the conditions or actions that concerned you. Photographs or video can help, but do not put yourself or an animal at risk to obtain them. Describe what you directly witnessed, and distinguish those observations from what you suspect. A specific, factual account gives the appropriate agency something to assess.
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REPORT THE CONCERN
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For animals covered by the federal Animal Welfare Act, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) provides an online animal welfare complaint form. Its complaints team can also be reached at ac.complaints@usda.gov. Local law enforcement and the relevant state agency may also have a role, depending on the animal and circumstances. If an animal or person faces immediate danger, contact local emergency authorities.
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You do not have to establish that a law was broken before raising a good-faith concern. Report what you saw and let the responsible agency determine whether it falls within its authority and warrants investigation.
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LOOK BEYOND A FACILITY’S PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL
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Before visiting, donating to or recommending a facility, examine its practices and history. The USDA’s Animal Care Public Search Tool provides access to licensing and compliance records for facilities it regulates. Read records in context: check their dates, what inspectors actually found and whether conditions changed. Accreditation can offer useful information, but no single label replaces examining how animals are treated.
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USE YOUR VOICE WHERE IT CAN HELP
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The Wildcat Sanctuary also encourages people to decline animal entertainment that exploits wild animals, share reliable educational material, give constructive feedback to media outlets and contact elected representatives about animal welfare issues. These actions may feel small on their own. Together, they help shape what businesses offer, what the public understands and what lawmakers prioritize.
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Effective advocacy is grounded in evidence and directed toward action. Observe carefully. Report responsibly. Research before lending your support. Every person who takes those steps helps make animal welfare harder to ignore.
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Source and credit:
The Wildcat Sanctuary,
“How to Advocate for Animals: What to do if you see animal exploitation.”

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