Here’s a link to the American Anti-Vivisection Society’s website and their AV Magazine. This special edition is titled, “Paws for Politics.” It includes an article, “The Animals’ Platform: A Blueprint for Political Progress,” that my ASI colleague, Jill Howard Church, Communications Director, and I wrote. The entire issue is an important read but don’t forget to read our article on pages 18-19!
Donkeys and elephants are everywhere in American politics, but their presence as the symbols of the two largest political parties means very little when it comes to their flesh-and-blood peers. Animal protection legislation historically has been slow and hard-fought, and almost always behind the times. Animal-related issues are rarely on the national radar, even though animals are present in a majority of U.S. households and are used by the billions in American industries. Women and ethnic minorities have seen how daunting the political process can be for human interest groups; is it any wonder that animal advocates face an uphill battle to be heard on Capitol Hill?
The Animals and Society Institute, a public policy think tank established in 2005, has developed a blueprint for helping to make animal issues more of a mainstream political issue in the United States. It borrows from successful campaigns in Great Britain and offers stepping stones to people who care about animals but often don’t know where to begin or how to proceed at the local, state and national level. The Platform was developed over several years based on input from leading experts in the U.S. animal protection movement. It has been produced in both written and digital formats, and has been distributed nationwide to individuals and organizations interested in elevating and accelerating the political process on behalf of nonhuman animals.
Learn more about The Animals’ Platform.
