You see a family of stray cats rummaging in the dumpster at a local restaurant. Flyers pop up at your grocery store announcing that the rodeo is coming to town. Annual deer hunting season is about to begin. These are just a few examples of the humane issues facing compassionate individuals all the time, often in their own communities.

The most frequently asked question is, "What can I do to help the animals and to bring about a positive change in my community?" There are many ways to get active in animal protection. The easiest way to protect animals is by simply being aware of how you spend your time and money. Don't buy tickets to an animal show, but do contribute to likeminded animal welfare organizations. Outlined below are some additional steps that you can take to become an animal advocate and to help protect the animals that share our homes, backyards and planet.

Getting Started

You've stumbled across a situation involving animal abuse or animals in need. Where do you start? The first thing you need to do is to define your issue or situation. Gather the facts. What is happening to the animals, when is it going to happen, who is responsible for this situation, and what is the goal you hope to achieve by taking action?

Goals can be as straightforward as getting an event cancelled, setting up a plan to spay and neuter a single family of stray cats, or as complex as initiating legislation to ban hunting in your community. Be sure that you set a realistic goal in light of the resources at your disposal.

Building Support

Do some research and contact your local humane society to find out if there are other local or national organizations working on this same issue. If you can find an organization that already has a campaign surrounding your issue of concern, i.e., humane planning for stray cats, contact them for guidance. Offer to volunteer or coordinate a local rescue effort. Ask them to assist you in getting a program started in your area. Most organizations will be more than happy to supply you with brochures and fact sheets to promote your cause.

If there are no organizations that can directly assist you, think about starting your own group or movement. Observe the way that other organizations spread their messages and follow their example. Check with family, friends and co-workers to see if they would be interested in donating a little time to help the animals.

Tools of the Trade

• Letter writing - Sounds simple, but it is still the most effective means of reaching out to legislators, businesses and the general public
  
  
• Email, Telephone and Fax - Develop a network of volunteers, media contacts and local businesses willing to assist in spreading the word
  
  
• Internet - Perhaps the most powerful tool right at your fingertips! The Internet enables you to research topics and organizations from around the world so you don't have to "reinvent the wheel" for your campaign. You can also post petitions on-line and reach significantly more people than you could going door-to-door.
  
  
• Message boards - Set up a website or a message board so that activists can stay informed, communicate, offer moral support and strategize with each other between meetings
  
  
• Public outreach - Offer to speak at a local Rotary, Lions or Elk's club, PTA or AARP meetings, etc.

Making the case

Once you have committed yourself to achieving your goal, it is important to develop your strategy by laying the foundations of support for your argument.

Organizing

The first step to getting organized is coming up with a name and designing a logo for your group. Even if your "group" only consists of you and few friends, a name and logo will add credibility to your cause and imply a larger, more organized effort.

Become an expert on your issue by doing your homework. Be prepared to state and debate your case. Document any abuse witnessed and contact the relevant authorities - local humane societies, animal control or United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Also consider enlisting the support of local experts on your issue (veterinarians, educators, animal control officers, wildlife biologists, etc).

Help your cause by creating winning solutions for everybody. Come up with a list of viable alternatives to the existing situation, i.e., Cat Cafes to provide a non-lethal, humane method of stray cat control.

Create a flyer or fact sheet outlining your position and provide supporting evidence for public distribution. Leafleting in public spaces can get your message out to a large audience in a short amount of time. Another great way to get your message out there is to create a website for concerned individuals to learn more about your cause and find out how to get involved.

Taking it to the streets
(or, Spreading the word)

Once you've established your goals and laid the foundations for your campaign, the next step is to get your message out to the public. Try setting up an information table at a local pet store, mall or park - be sure to get permission first. Information booths should look professional, interesting and colorful. Large, color photos or posters are a must.

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper following the guidelines outlined by the newspaper (link to Letter to the Editor Guidelines). "Letters to the Editor" is one of the most popular features in many newspapers and can be a powerful tool for you in your efforts to protect animals. A letter to the editor will allow you to get your message out to a large audience, including community leaders and lawmakers.

Try to get the media on your side. Draft a press release to the media including local newspapers, cable stations and radio. A press release tells the Who, What, When, Where and Why concerning your issue or event. Offer to provide someone, whether it is you or another expert or spokesperson, at any time for an interview.

Circulate a petition in support of your cause or stage an educational demonstration at the time or place of the event. You can hang posters around town to alert the public of your demonstration and send out a media advisory to attract the attention of the local newspapers or television stations.

Making your voice count

Gaining the support of the public is a crucial step, but your work doesn't stop there. Next, you need to be heard by the decision-makers about your issue, such as your representatives or local business owners. Call or write letters to local town council members and your state representatives to express your view and urge them to act to protect animals (link to Sample Letter). Visit them in their offices. Be sure to contact all the key players involved in the situation (i.e., the restaurant where the cats are feeding or the corporate sponsors of the rodeo) (link to Sample Letter).

Keeping the Faith

Working to protect animals can be both challenging and rewarding. It can also be frustrating and at times disappointing. As with any new idea or change from the norm, these things take time and you'll need to be patient.

The most important ingredients for any activist to possess are creativity and commitment. If the suggestions listed above don't give you the results you're seeking, brainstorm on new or innovative ways to attract attention and win support for your cause.

Whatever obstacles may arise or opposition you encounter, remember that you are speaking for the voiceless animals who cannot speak for themselves. Your voice can make all the difference in their lives.

Names to Know

• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) USDA/APHIS/AC, 4700 River Road, Unit #84, Riverdale, MD 20737 Tel. at 301-734-7833 Email: ace@aphis.usda.gov Web: www.aphis.usda.gov/ac
  
  
• U.S. Congress, United States House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515 Tel. (202) 224-3121 Web: www.House.gov
  
  
• U.S. Senate, Office of Senator (your Senator's name), United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510, Tel. (202) 224-3121 Web: www.Senate.gov Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) 2100 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037 Tel. (202) 452-1100 Web: www.hsus.org
  
  
• Cat Cafes! WSPA has been setting up Cat Cafes at hotels and tourist areas around the world for many years as a humane alternative to addressing the overpopulation of cats. The project begins with veterinary intervention, including sterilization, vaccinations and de-worming. Cat-sized feeding stations are built in an agreed upon location and volunteers regularly feed and care for the cats. For more information, contact The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), Lincoln Plaza, 89 South St., Ste. 201, Boston, MA 02111 (800) 883-9772 Email: wspa@wspausa.org Web: www.wspa-usa.org
  
  
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) 424 E. 92nd Street, New York, NY 10128 Tel. (212) 876-7700 Email: website@aspca.org Web: www.aspca.org
  · American Humane Association (AHA) 63 Inverness Drive, E, Englewood, CO 80112 Tel. (800) 227-4645 Web: www.amerhumane.org
  
  
• Alley Cat Allies (ACA) 1801 Belmont Road, NW, Suite 201, Washington, DC 20009 Tel. (202) 667-3630 Email: alleycat@alleycat.org Web: www.alleycat.org
  
  
• Animal Protection Institute (API) 2831 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento, CA 95820 Tel. 916-731-5521 Email: onlineapi@aol.com Web: www.api4animals.org
  
  
• NewsLink - Links to major U.S. newspapers, radio and television stations Web: http://newslink.org