Reforming Animal Control in Your Community Through Effective Political Advocacy

I have a lot of posts lined up following the No Kill Conference. A few may be controversial, a few not so much. But I'll for sure be sharing thoughts on animal control policy, adoption policy and maybe blogging at some point next week.

Meanwhile, another by-product of the No Kill Conference is we get to see some brand new resources that are made available -- as well as get introduced to resources I didn't know existed.

Because I think they're extremely valuable, I will be posting some links to those, with comments, also in the coming weeks.

One of the first pieces is a new one written by Ryan Clinton entitled "The No Kill Revolution Starts with You -- Reforming Animal Control through effective political advocacy".

This brochure is essentially a summary of Ryan's presentation he gives at the No Kill Conference -- and it's probably my favorite presentation I've seen at the conference.

In the brochure, he discusses the common myth that people have that their situation is somehow unique or different - -but the reality is that they are all mostly the same.

He discusses arming yourself with information and doing your research to be sure you are knowledgable about the no kill movement.

He discusses getting to know the key players in your community -- shelter directors, rescuers, politicians, etc. And then clearly definingin goals, your target audience for the message, and crafting your message.

He then talks about delivering the message -- through social media, online advocacy, traditional media, advertising and face-to-face meetings.

He discusses ways to get political involved (which I think is extremely under-rated in the animal welfare world. I continue to believe this is our biggest missed opportunity in most communities) and how to anticipate opposition.

He discusses never giving up - -because success may not be easy, but sticking to it will be essential to success. He then discusses making no kill the status quo -- vs killing as the status quo.

It's a great resource. 

You can read it in its entirety in blog form here or download it in a full color and formatted PDF here.

And if you're sitting around wishing someone would step and do this in your community, note that you are the person who most knows what needs to be done...so it's up to you to do it.

 

Comments

[DIANE FRANCISCO]

THE ANIMALS ARE GREAT TO ALL OF US ,,THEY HAVE TALENTS U DONT KNOW THE DOGS OR CATS HAVE TALENT FROM GOD ,, THEY ARE CREATURES OF GOD WHO MAKE THEM,..IF U HAVE PUPPY OR DOGS TRAING WELL AND FIND A HOME FOR LIKE NURSING HOME FOR OLDER PEOPLE WHO ENJOYED THE ANIMALS WHICH THEY MISS THEM IN THIER HEARTS AND GIVE THEM HEALING LIKE HANDICAPPED CHILDREN OR ADULTS WHO NEED LIKE WHO HAS WHEELCHAIR SO THE ANIMALS CAN HELP LIEK BLIND PEOPLE ,,ADOPTED CHILDREN TO HAVE PLAY OTHERS ..TRAINING FOR FIREMAN OR POLICE OR KG POLICE TO HELP ,, MY CONCERN ABOUT ANIMALS BUT TOO EXOPENSIVE FOR MEDICINE AND SURGEYR OR DENTAL WHO PEOPLE CANT AFFORD SHULD GIVE THEM CHEAPER TO HELP THEM INSURANCE ,,,I CANT AFFORD WE ARE LOW INCOME LIKE OTHERS TOOO AS DOG DRY FOOD SO EXPSENSIVE WHICL PEOPLE CANT AFFORD OR CANT AFFORD TO BUY DOGS OR CATS,, SHULD LET THEM LOW PRICES,, THE DOGS RO CAT SMART U DONT KNOW ,, I HAVE DOG WHOSAVE MY HUSBAND 8 TIMES AS DASCHUND MY HUSBAND IS DEAF AND DEMTINA WHO SAVE HIM,,,,

[Ryan]

Thanks Brent! It was great to see you in D.C., and I'm glad you've enjoyed the presentation. I hope this guide helps others effectively advocate for animals.

Best,
Ryan

[arrowhead]

well put together and a lot of important information packed into a small space. don't agree with everything ryan says (only 87.449%), but really like his writing and energy. like brent, he is a fabulous voice for the movement.

[Hanna at Dog Products]

I think the best solution for the No Kill Movement is not only involving politicians on every level (communal, city, state, federal) but also getting more celebrities to speak up — from the TV, film and music industries; from sports; from the fortune 500 companies, etc. Because these VIPs have huge numbers of fans who listen very closely and then mimic.

I think more incentives should go to creating many more rescue and foster organizations and certainly more funding should be allocated to the existing ones. All that requires a who lot more PR.