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How to Save Animals From Oil Spills

There are many ways of saving animals from oil spills. If you are able to travel and have the skill sets deemed necessary by aiding organizations to help animals that are affected by oil spills, then you can directly help. There are also ways to indirectly help, such as donating money and purchasing products that donate a portion of their revenue to the cause.

  1. Rescue Animals

    • The first step in directly saving animals from oil spills is locating and rescuing the creatures. Wildlife affected by oil spills can include seals, sea turtles, and many species of birds. Without being rescued, these animals can die from complications of being soaked in the oil. However, to become a volunteer to rescue animals from oil spills, you need HAZMAT certifications and experience with professional wildlife care on your resume. Agencies that hire volunteers and organize efforts also require that you be in very good physical shape, as you will need to run or swim, and that you be able to handle a boat.

    Clean Rescued Animals

    • Once animals have been rescued from an oil spill, they must be cleaned. This process is performed using simple dish soap, as it is not harmful to the animals and it will entirely remove all of the oil from their bodies. Again, this process requires various certifications and specific experience, because first the animals must be rescued and transported to a safe facility, where they will be cleaned. This is a process that can require up to four people and hundreds of gallons of water per animal. After being cleaned, they must be tended to while they recover from the effects of the oil. It is only after they have been deemed ready by professional supervisors of agencies that they can return to the wild.

    Donate Money

    • If you are unable to directly go the site of the oil spill or do not have the proper experience and certifications, there are still other ways that you can help. Donate money to wildlife funds and organizations that are working towards rescuing and cleaning the animals that are affected by the oil spill. Donations allow these organizations to travel to the site and perform the work necessary to save the animals.

    Purchase Dawn Detergent

    • Because it was found that dishwashing liquid can be used to clean the animals affected by oil spills, Dawn Detergent started a program in which a portion of its revenue was donated to organizations helping rescue and save wildlife affected by oil spills. The consumer simply has to go to the donation activation page on the Dawn detergent website and enter the code on their purchased bottle of dishwashing liquid, and a dollar is donated to organizations such as Marine Mammal Center and the International Bird Rescue Research Center. Even if you can't travel to the actual sites, you can still help save animals from oil spills with your consumer choices.

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