Breeders,
hunters, cat fanciers, possibly farmers on some issues, commercial
breeders (lose the phrase 'puppy mills'), pet stores vet associations
-- anyone who is going your way on this bill should be a contact
and a potential ally.
Dog
fanciers are the least clued of the whole lot -- probably because
we haven't been targeted much in the past. You'll generally find
hunters, commercial breeders, and pet stores the most bad-law
aware and all three can be very muscular allies.
Cat
fanciers are next -- their numbers are few but the CFA has a small-but-serious
legislative department and many 'dog and cat' laws hurt them worse
than they do dogs. Don't overlook birds, rabbits, exotic and small
pets -- you can pick up some extremely able people from these
small groups of fanciers. Vet associations will sometimes be playing
on the other side but they ought to hear the words anyhow ...
"No pets = no vet clients."
Some
of your players won't like working with this group or that. They
need to get over it. If you don't work with everyone who hates
this bill as much as you do, then one small group at a time will
be killed. Anti-hunting bill? Breeders and rescuers better help.
Breeder licensing? Rescuers, you better pick up your keyboards
and join the fight -- you'll be next. Laws against commercial
breeding? Hey show breeders ... how long do you think before you're
included?
You
don't have to like all the people you're working with but "work
with them at the city council or statehouse, then take away their
customers with education" if that's how you feel.
In
most state fights, this issue -- unwillingness to work with people
we don't 100% approve of -- is the biggest weakness on our side.
