Dear Cholly,
How can a kid like me, who has zero money, make a difference for animals?
—Wondering, Baton Rouge, La.

Dear Wondering,
You don’t need money—just a lot of heart. Start by going vegetarian—the single most important thing you can do to help animals. Visit VegKids.com for tips on all the pluses of meatless eating. Educate classmates by using animal issues as topics for school projects. Start an animal rights group and organize a fundraiser, like a walk-a-thon or car wash, and donate the proceeds to your favorite animal protection organization. Volunteer at your local animal shelter and urge others to adopt animals instead of buying from breeders or pet stores. Letter-writing is a great way to help. Read your local newspaper and write letters to the editor about animal rights issues—and check out the “Action Alerts” page on PETA’s Web site for the latest animal issues.

Visit PETAKids.com for more ways to help and to sign up for PETA Kids E-News. You’ll receive monthly updates and alerts about special contests and offers.

Dear Cholly,
My teacher announced that we’re going to do a dissection. What should I do?
—Frantic, Tulsa, Okla.

Dear Frantic,
Talk to your teacher about your objection right away. Explain that you’re ethically opposed to dissection because it goes against your belief in respecting all forms of life. If your teacher won’t budge, arrange to talk to the principal. No go? Arrange to speak to the school board by finding out when and where they meet and signing up for a spot on the agenda. Inquire about laws in your area. School districts and some states, such as California, Florida, and Pennsylvania, have student choice policies. Ask your classmates, friends, and parents to support a student choice policy, if your state does not already have one, by circulating a petition. Call PETA (757-622-7382) to order your free “Cut out dissection” pack, full of details about dissection and great, smart, effective, and humane alternatives. For additional guidance, e-mail PETA at Education@peta.org.