How to Lobby for Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) for Cats

Want to lobby for trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) for cats — also known as trap-neuter-release (TNR)? It's important to do some research about your local community cat situation, elected officials, and current ordinances prior to starting your campaign to advocate for TNVR. You can begin by gathering the information listed below.

Table of contents
1. Introduction
2. Structure of your local government
3. Current community cat situation
4. Elected officials
5. Current elected officials
6. Miscellaneous notes about current elected officials
7. Local government meetings
8. Current ordinance and/or regulatory obstacles to TNVR
9. Animal shelters/animal services
10. Available resources
11. Preparing your PowerPoint presentation
12. Additional resources

1. Introduction

Lobbying for animal welfare issues is an essential component to saving lives and improving conditions for animals in your community. To do so effectively, you must understand the reality behind the issues and obtain the necessary knowledge to strategically operate within the structure of your local government.

Once you understand local government processes, it’s important to conduct thorough research to understand who might be impacted by any trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) ordinance changes.

It is also important to understand the background and interests of the audience — researching the political affiliation, voting records, and, to the extent possible, the ideologies of each of your elected officials. This knowledge is powerful and vital for maximizing your presentation’s persuasive impact. So do your homework, answering the following questions before you start your campaign to advocate for TNVR.

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2. Structure of your local government

Every town or municipality is different, so it’s important to determine how your local government is structured. This information will likely be available on the town’s website, or you can call your local courthouse or government complex. You can also go to your local library and check with the information desk for assistance. Generally, the governing body consists of a mayor (or other executive), city (or town) council, and/or a county commission or council.

What is the local governing body? _____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

How often do the decision-makers meet? _____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

What are the names and locations of all animal shelters and animal services facilities that the local government oversees?
_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

What is the jurisdiction (the area over which their authority extends) for each shelter and animal services facility? _____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

What type of access to public information is available in your state: Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), public access (sunshine) laws?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

What other local branches of government (e.g., public health department, zoning department, etc.) might have an interest in a TNVR ordinance? _____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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3. Current community cat situation

Estimated number of cats: __________

Is rabies present in your area? _____ Yes _____ No

Number of rabid wild animals (during the past five years): _______

Number of rabid cats: _______

Are free-roaming cats currently being vaccinated and sterilized? _____ Yes _____ No

If so, under what programs?
_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Number of governmental staff trapping free-roaming cats for TNVR: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Number of governmental staff trapping free-roaming cats to be killed: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Names of governmental staff responding to free-roaming cat complaints:
_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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4. Elected officials

Names of elected officials who understand and support TNVR:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Names of elected officials opposed to TNVR:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Have elected officials responded positively to animal issues in the past?
_____ Yes _____ No

If yes, which ones?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

What is the political climate regarding animal welfare?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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5. Current elected officials

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________

Title: ________________________________________________________________________________

Name of administrative assistant: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________________________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________________________________________

Political affiliation: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Number of years in office: _____________________________________________________________________________________

End of election cycle: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Personal interests: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Organization affiliations: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Contacts who know them personally:
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________

Title: ________________________________________________________________________________

Name of administrative assistant: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________________________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________________________________________

Political affiliation: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Number of years in office: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Home starts with you

When we work together to bring our best friends home, we help loving pets find the families they’ve been dreaming of, and we get the country closer to ending the killing of pets in shelters. Let’s bring our best friends home.

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