Almost
none of us really want to be involved in lawmaking. We just want
to be left alone to enjoy our pets. It can be a real shock to
the system to discover that you and your fellow breeders, rescuers,
owners of (name your animal) are suddenly in the crosshairs for
a nasty bill or proposed ordinance. What to do?
Don't
panic and do assume you can win. The animal rightists are
a small minority; if you mobilize the majority and do the
right things, even if some of them don't work, you will probably
win.
This
is the "Reader's Digest" version, but it's the condensed
book section. In other words, it's long. The information here
comes from our involvement (usually as bit players) in maybe a
dozen of these fights. The wording is geared to dog laws because
that's what we know best, but it can be applied to any pet laws.
1.
Spread the word
2.
Contact state federations and associations
3.
Notify national clubs
4.
Find or start a state 'pet-law' list
5.
Look everywhere for allies
6.
Do not compromise or negotiate
7.
Contact lawmakers
8.
Get tough and hang in there
Finally,
don't expect rockets and national newspaper interviews when you
win. Most commonly, bad animal laws die very quietly, either withdrawn
by the sponsor because of a lack of votes or 'passed by indefinitely'
by a key committee.
Unfortunately,
most state bills you beat this year, will be back in the next
session of the assembly. But you won't be a beginner then, and
you'll be better able to beat them than you were this time. If
you're too tired to lead again next year, serve in an advisory
capacity. But don't quit on us...we need you and, yes, the animals
need you.
