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First of all I need to apologize.  I’m sure I don’t have many readers and because I update RARELY, I’m sure I have even less.  Second, the following post should have been posted April 1st.  Third, Thank you Martha Stewart.

Each year, the ASPCA and the makers of FreshStep Kitty Litter,  urge supporters across the country to “Go Orange for Animals” throughout the month of April-when the ASPCA’s charter was signed in 1866-to raise awareness for our cause. Going orange is a tribute to the work of the ASPCA and a celebration of compassion and kindness for all living things everywhere.

How Is the ASPCA “Going Orange” for Animals? The ASPCA will kick off Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month on April 7, when iconic buildings and landmarks across the country will light up orange. On the heels—or shall we say paws?—of the April 7 lightings, the ASPCA will hold three events featuring live music, ASPCA experts and a host of pet-related activities:

• April 7, New York City, NY
• April 18, Austin, TX
• April 25, Venice Beach, CA

Ways to Go Orange

So How Do You “Go Orange” for Animals?

It’s fun to go orange-and the more creative you get, the more fun it is! Orange is a vibrant, energetic color that most people find inspiring. So use it joyfully to show the world you care about animals during the month of April! We’ve provided the following ideas and suggestions on how you can go orange in your community, classroom, business, library, website, etc.! Whether you organize a pet parade in your neighborhood, get your town hall to light up in orange or decorate your car with orange paint-we thank you for being a vision in orange and helping the ASPCA spread the word about preventing cruelty to animals.

Lighten Up

- OK, so you don’t have a tower like the one on the Empire State Building on top of your house, but you can still let the world know that animal lovers live in your home. Purchase orange string or rope lights, available online and at hardware and specialty lighting and novelty stores, and wrap your house, terrace, trees, lamppost, porch steps, mailbox…even the family swing set. Start small by replacing your porch light or driveway light with an orange bulb, and see where that takes you. Don’t forget to ask your neighbors to join in!

Let it Shine

- Know of a cool building in your town or city that would look great lit up orange? Ask your town hall, local groceries, libraries and others to help you go orange by “lighting up” their places of business to help raise awareness about kindness and compassion. Find out who the management company is and ask them to join in with New York City’s tower buildings and the many buildings that will be lighting up orange during April. As an added incentive, let them know that their building could receive great coverage if they light up for animals; good idea to alert the media first.

How “Glow” Can You Go?

- Get that orange GLOW by wearing and handing out orange glow sticks and glow jewelry. How about a glow light party or parade in your town? (These colorful accessories can be found online or purchased at party supply stores.)

Tie One (or Two!) On

- Decorate with orange bows and ribbons. They’ll look great wherever you put them-on trees, over your office door, hanging from your dashboard, on your pooch, even in your hair!

Play Dress-up

- Open your closet and get out those bright orange pants, shirts, ties, shoelaces and socks and don them every Friday-or any other day of the week-for the month of April. If you suffer from a dearth of citrus-colored clothing, simply visit the online ASPCA Store. You’ll find a variety of orange accessories!

On the Move

- Plan a community walk in your city or town where dogs and their humans go orange! For the organizationally challenged, walking through town with your friends (both furry and human) is just as good, but do be sure you’re all wearing something orange and carrying our poster, or your own sign, telling people why you are walkin’ and glowin’! Visit ASPCAAmbassadors.org to register your walk!

Take a Big Gulp

- Mix up some batches of orangeade or orange Kool-Aid and have a sale to benefit your local humane organization or animal shelter. There’s a reason this is the quintessential kid’s fundraising activity-it’s fun, it’s inexpensive, and it works!

Sweet Treats!

- Organize an orange-themed bake sale for animals at your local shelter or rescue group. Make orange cupcakes or cookies, or even cat- and dog-shaped cookies wearing orange frosted collars! Set up a table at your school, church, local library, club or office and let people know their purchase of orange deliciousness will benefit animals for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month! You can also convince your local bakery to create special orange baked goods and ask if they might donate some of the proceeds to animal welfare efforts.

Pimp Your Ride

- Vroom-vroom for animals! Write some animal friendly messages on your vehicle- “Go Orange for Animals!” or “Celebrate Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month!” Most auto parts stores sell specific window-marking chalk for writing on your windows. You’ll be surprised by how far a little creative writing can go to help animals!

Mind Your (Local) Business

- Have your local pet store or tack shop go orange and feature special promotions or discounts for the month of April, with some proceeds going toward local animal welfare efforts. Encourage your local bookstore to go orange by promoting and displaying humane literature for kids and adults. Visit ASPCAEducation.org for a list of top animal-themed titles. Local students and teachers could help create the display, too!

Grow Orange

- Got a green thumb? Plant an orange garden for animals. Ask your local garden center what orange flowering plants work best in your area, and do some creative landscaping. Trim your shrubs into animal shapes, and decorate them in orange bows or lights. No garden? Try window boxes or flower pots, but do let people (and the media) know that your orange garden is all for and all about animals. (Be careful though, as some plants can be toxic to animals and wildlife. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center to find out which ones.)