Our first steps have been to convince our own colleagues, fellow activists and animal protection organizations of the importance and critical nature of this effort. Our goal is to show people how we dishonor and harm animals with our language and actions. I am convinced that the renunciation of the concept of animal ownership by the membership and supporters of animal protection organizations will result in a groundswell of people demanding new status for themselves and their animal companions. Legal test cases are being sought. Legislation, and ultimately the courts, will follow suit.
Several things come to mind.
If the opportunity arises, they can encourage their colleagues to do the same. Encouraging clients to adopt companion animals as opposed to buying them is an additional crucial element of this campaign. AVAR members may wish to contact my office with ideas and suggestions on how to make this campaign as successful as possible, for additional information and campaign literature, and for brochures and pledge forms that can be distributed in their waiting rooms. And, last but not least, they might want to contact the AVAR office, to thank the staff for taking a leadership role in this most important effort. You and your staff are truly on the cutting edge of the fight for animal rights.