Dog Fancy Magazine

Column 1

January 2004

Sophia Donarumo of Montclair, N.J., felt such outrage at the lack of tethering laws in her city, she petitioned the council members to initiate a township ordinance limiting the time a dog is tied up outside.

When Fullerton, Calif., resident Maria Dales learned that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors publicized an adoptable shelter animal before their televised weekly meetings, she sent a letter and articles on this subject to an Orange County supervisor and the director of animal control, proposing a similar program in her community.

Although on opposite coasts, these two animal advocates share the same secret: Anyone can be a voice for dogs in need. All it takes is a bit of legwork, a professional attitude and a willingness to do your homework.

Whether you want to start a new dog park or lobby for shelter reform, these guidelines apply.

* Know what you want. Define exactly what you would like to enact or change, and write it down. Make sure it’s realistic. Use this as a mission statement.

"This is where we begin," says Donarumo.

* Research. Preparation and information gathering are vital. Contact the custodian of records to research public records at the county level, said Dales. Donarumo researched no-tethering ordinances in the neighboring towns of Camden and Nutley, and presented this information to her own township council. She recommends learning what other areas or organizations did and how they did it. Use this information as a blueprint for reform.

* Get involved. Visit your community’s dog-centered areas, like dog parks, in order to meet other dog lovers who might support your ideas. Contact or volunteer with established animal groups. For example, Donarumo asked the ASPCA for advice on how to proceed with her anti-tethering movement, and Dales began volunteering with German Shepherd Rescue.

* Be visible. Learn who the key people are at your local animal shelter and schedule a meeting with them. Visit city hall and ask the city clerk or another member in the front office who would be the best person to deal with your issue, says Donarumo. Dales recommends attending a number of city council or county board meetings in order to learn the system.

"You need to know how it all works," she says.

Attendance also helps you discover which politicians are animal-friendly–something both Donarumo and Dales found very helpful in their quests for change.

* Become an avid surfer and reader. Use the Internet to find everything from city websites to newspaper articles. Dales reads many publications, collecting the names of animal-friendly politicians and reporters who might assist her down the road.

* Stay professional and business-like. Check your emotions at the door. Both women emphasize the need to treat your issue as you would any business proposition. That means no crying, yelling, name-calling or rambling. Make appointments, present fact-filled documents, be on time and offer solutions, not just complaints.

"Use your head. Your heart comes in later," Dales says.

* Have courage. Don’t be afraid to rock the boat if you feel an animal issue needs to be heard.

"You are entitled to this as a citizen," Dales says. "You shouldn’t be intimidated. Don’t just say it’s horrible–try to fix it."