Every U.S. state has different laws regarding mandatory vaccinations and the channels available (if any) to qualify your child for exemption. Research your state's laws and determine a course of action for legally opting out (as discussed in the next several steps of this guide). This information can be found online on various websites dedicated to vaccine legislation.  Regardless of the method you choose for pursuing vaccine exemption, you will need to complete paperwork that states your objection to state mandated vaccination. This might consist of anything from a simple form filled out by the parent to an application that must be signed by a physician and submitted to the state for approval.  In some states, your child must have an established, doctor-verified medical reason for opting out of vaccinations. If you do not want your child to be vaccinated but they do not qualify for medical exemption, they will not be allowed to attend public school. Most states in the U.S. allow vaccine exemptions on the basis of religious objections, although some (like California) have recently taken away this option after witnessing large outbreaks of preventable diseases. If your faith prohibits your child from receiving medical care, you can pursue a religious exemption from state-mandated immunization.  Depending on your state's laws, this type of exemption may require a clergy member or other religious official to verify that you are a member of a church that subscribes to an anti-medicine ideology. It is unethical and irresponsible to claim religious exemption if this does not apply to you. If you are opposed to child immunization for nonreligious reasons, seek a philosophical exemption instead (discussed in a later step). If your child has a medical condition or allergy that would cause a serious adverse reaction to certain vaccines, your state likely allows exemption from the vaccine in question. You will need to submit verification of your child's condition from a qualified physician. Ask your doctor how to proceed with this process, as it varies by state.  Medical exemptions are extremely difficult to obtain, because the list of conditions that legally justify skipping out on your child's immunization is very short. If you have concerns about possible health effects from vaccines, your objection is philosophical, not medical. Some states allow healthcare workers other than M.D.s (Doctors of Medicine) and D.O.s (Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine) to submit medical exemption forms, but this is not common. This type of exemption has only recently been allowed in some U.S. states and is by far the most controversial. If you opt out of immunization for your child on a philosophical basis, you are saying that you have no medical or religious reason for doing so. Only 17 states allow this type of vaccination exemption, and some carry additional requirements such as a physician's signature or completion of a vaccine education course.  Different states use different terminology to refer to this type of exemption. Alternative terms include "conscientious" and "personal belief" exemption. This type of exemption requires that the parents (and in some cases the child) officially agree to opt out of all mandated vaccines. Currently, no state allows philosophical exemption from only one or some mandated vaccines. It is critical that you understand the seriousness of deciding to opt out of vaccines on philosophical grounds. It is a very good idea to discuss the matter with a physician, even if your state does not require a doctor's signature to seek this exemption. Additional information about this can be found on the CDC website. This type of exemption from vaccination is only allowed in some states and only applies in situations where the child has already been vaccinated against a specific disease, or has contracted and recovered from that disease. In either case, a blood test report verifying the presence of disease antibodies in the child is required. See your family doctor to pursue this type of exemption.  Proof of immunity exemptions only apply to the specific disease in question and cannot be used to gain exemption from any other vaccines. Blood testing services can be found in most family medicine clinics and usually carry a fee. Ask your doctor about whether their clinic offers these services.
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One-sentence summary -- Learn your state's exemption laws. Opt out on religious grounds. Opt out on medical grounds. Opt out on philosophical grounds. Show proof of immunity.


When your sugar mixture turns cloudy, it needs to be replaced. Yeasts eat sugar, causing fermentation that could potentially harm a hummingbird.  A warm, sugary mixture is also a great place for mold and bacteria to grow. If possible, check your feeder every other day. Keeping an eye on your feeder will keep any harm from coming to the hummingbirds. If you find mold, mix ¼ cup of bleach in a gallon of water. Soak the feeder for an hour in this bleach mixture. Scrub any mold off and then rinse the feeder thoroughly before refilling it. Flush the feeder with hot tap water. Do not use soap--hummingbirds do not like the taste that soap leaves behind and will avoid your feeder if it has soap residue. Be aware that the amount of time you can leave hummingbird food outside depends on the temperature in which the feeder is hung in.  If temperatures are 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 26 C), change the food every 5 to 6 days. When temperatures are 81 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (27 to 30 C), change the food every 2 to 4 days. If the thermometer tops 91 degrees Fahrenheit (32 C), change the food daily.
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One-sentence summary -- Know that your food can cause harm if left to ferment or mold. Check your feeder for black mold as often as you can. Clean your feeder before your refill it. Change the food in the feeders regularly.


Turtles are omnivores and have a voracious appetite. Just like humans, turtles need variety in their life. A balanced diet of vitamins and minerals is very important to keep your turtle happy and satisfied.   A balanced diet of leafy green vegetables, insects, and prepared turtle foods will keep your turtle growing to full size. Your turtle might also like fruit or even flowers. Make sure you know what type of turtle you have so that you can provide the appropriate diet. Never feed your turtle dairy products, as their stomach cannot properly digest lactose. Also steer clear of giving your turtle processed foods. Whole, dairy free foods are best. Turtles like to chase their food. By providing live food for your turtle, you will give them time for exercise and entertainment.   Provide your turtle with live crickets, mealworms, wax worms are delicious insects that turtles love to eat. Consider adding alternative insects, or even live fish and shrimp, throughout the week to keep your turtle’s diet interesting and nutritious. You love your turtle and it loves you, but do not give your turtle food every time you witness begging. Turtles are opportunistic feeders in the wild since they never know when the next meal is coming. Oftentimes, when your turtle sees you they will approach you with an open mouth because they associate you with feeding. Do not veer from the schedule, otherwise you will probably overfeed your turtle.   Younger turtles need to eat daily whereas adult or mature turtles only need to be fed a few times per week. Be careful not to overfeed your turtle, they can become obese. Water should always be accessible. Indeed, many turtles will consume their food under the water, but if they do not, then you should leave your turtle’s food in the same location in the aquarium. That way, your turtle will always know where to go to get their food. To help avoid overfeeding, you should present food as your turtle eats it and remove all uneaten or partially eaten food after about five minutes.
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One-sentence summary --
Provide variety. Feed them live food as a snack. Keep a regular schedule.