You can make a powerful difference in cats’ lives by working for change at the local level. Start in your community! Build the movement by raising awareness about cats, the issues facing them, and what is going on in our nation’s animal shelters and institutions.
5 Ways to Advocate for Cats in Your Community
1. Learn about issues facing cats.
Every day, Alley Cat Allies is on the front lines, mobilizing individuals and communities to support cats and advocate for changes that will end the killing and improve their lives. Stay up to date on urgent legislative issues facing cats as well as upcoming events by joining our e-action alert list.
Want to get started now? Visit our online Action Center. With just a few clicks of the mouse, you can protect and improve the lives of cats by signing petitions and sending letters directly to your elected officials and decision makers.
2. Write an editorial for your local paper.
Each time an article appears in the paper about cats, it is an opportunity to write a letter to the editor. Use your letter to educate the publicon the basic facts about cats, the importance of spay and neuter including Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), the truth about animal shelter kill rates, and local programs and groups that are providing critical services to cats, whether they live indoors or outdoors.
Your letter will let others know that there is a strong movement on behalf of cats, and that anybody can be a part of it. Ready to send one today? Use Alley Cat Allies’ letter to the editor templates.
3. Distribute literature in your community.
Help educate your community by placing literature in locations that animal lovers frequent. Displaying brochures at your local pet store or veterinary office can help educate people with pets. For a display stand and pack of brochures, visit our Marketplace.
4. Educate your elected officials.
Don’t wait until cats are an agenda item. Educate your local elected officials about cats and evidence-based programs like low-cost, high-volume spay and neuter, including Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). Encourage legislators to enact policies that protect and improve cats’ lives and reject those that would harm cats or inhibit programs that benefit them. Use our tips for organizing for strategic change.
5. Promote feline-friendly practices at your local shelter.
Encourage animal pounds and shelters in your community to adopt socially responsible, evidence-based practices and programs that serve both the animals and the public. These include improving community education programs, refusing to accept community cats into shelters except temporarily for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), and providing free or low-cost spay and neuter services for the public.
Learn what it will take for the agencies and shelters in your community to implement humane practices and bring this knowledge to your local shelter!