Introvert? Extrovert? Here’s How to Use Your Strengths to Help Animals

Posted by Calvin on October 14, 2024

We’re all so busy with school, work, and life in general—but it’s still crucial to find time to help animals. 🐘🦃🐁 Advocating for animals and knowing we’re making a difference for them can bring us joy, and this can look different for each of us based on our personalities. Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, we have the tips you need to thrive as an advocate.

ADVOCACY TIPS FOR INTROVERTS

Work Behind the Scenes

If protests and rallies filled with crowds and megaphones are too much for you, that means you’re the perf person to work behind the scenes. You could help set up or tear down events before or after the crowds arrive. There are also countless ways to help animals from the comfort of your home, such as signing petitions, writing to your representatives, and posting animal rights content.

Know Your Boundaries

One of the best things about the animal rights movement is that it’s filled with folks who are understanding af, so they’ll respect your boundaries. 🥰 If you feel solid at events with a handful of advocates but those with several dozen advocates are too much for you, stick to ones with smaller groups. Or maybe you can table for an hour at a time but need a break to recharge your batteries in the middle of the event. Go with the boundaries that are best for you, bc they’re also best for the animals you’ll help.

Set Yourself Up for Success

Accommodations exist for a reason. If you’re going to a protest but loud noises and bright lights overstimulate you, make sure you bring earplugs and sunglasses. 😎 Writing animal rights messages in chalk or leafleting might feel a lot less stressful if you’re with another advocate who can handle convos with the public. At the end of a day of activism, get your brain back to its calm space by having an evening of self-care.    

ADVOCACY TIPS FOR EXTROVERTS

Lead the Charge

Since you feel energized by being around others, you belong on the front lines of the movement. 📣 Protests, demonstrations, and other dynamic events are calling your name, and they’re so much fun to be a part of. By popping off at these events with signs, costumes, and chants, you’ll be spreading the word about animals’ best interests to others.

Organize Meetups and Other Events

Instead of simply showing up at meetups or other events, you can help organize them. In order for them to run smoothly, organizers need to talk to a lot of different people, which is something you’re a pro at. Use your extrovert skills to help make sure everyone—including vendors, venue employees, and individual advocates—is on the same page about where, when, and how the event will go down.

Talk Up a Storm

Education is the core of animal rights outreach, and one of the best ways to inform others is by simply chatting with them. 🗣️ Start as many chats with friends, schoolmates, coworkers, and others as you can. It doesn’t matter if they agree with what you’re saying at first. What matters is planting a seed that can encourage them to think about animals in their daily lives.

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Want to go even more in-depth to find out how you can best help animals based on your personality? Take our quiz to learn your animal-advocate style: