For several years the mantra has been to "think globally and act locally." For the animal-friendly resident of Hillcrest there are many local activities to engage an individual and their family and make a change for the positive. There are wild animal programs at the North Chagrin Reservation to foster home opportunities for needy dogs and cats.

If you are already doing things for animals, or only wish you had more time, there is something else you can do. Online petitions allow you to participate locally and globally at anytime you find convenient. Typically you don't have to be of voting age or resident of any region. It is your voice that counts.

Here are a couple of links that address primarily animal issues locally, nationally and internationally. Most petitions are easy to sign, allow you to keep your name private and encourage you to add your own opinions to the form letters. The following petitions are not graphic. You will not be shocked with horrific images, although the topics range widely. Above all, these sites do not share your email and you can control what and when you want to sign.

Care 2 petition site: http://www.thepetitionsite.com. The current petition is about the death of two horses on an HBO series "Luck," which ironically exposes the cruelty in horse racing. This site also encourages you to start your own petition.

The American Humane Society: www.americanhumane.org/. This organization also is an advocate for children. A word of caution, the photos here can be more graphic than at other sites.

The Natural Resouces Defense Council works to protect wildlife and wild places and to ensure a healthy environment for all life on earth. The issues are global and a great place to help teens learn about the environment. The photos are always upbeat the the petitions are circulated internationally. To check out the current petitions, go to www.nrdc.org.

This week lift a finger and let the world know what you think.