Contact your lawmakers
Did you know that for many lawmakers, just FIVE phone calls on a particular bill is enough to spur them into action? The more calls a lawmaker receives, the harder they will work for the bill.
- Find your state legislators
- Emails are good, but calls are even better.
- If you sign up for email alerts on our Web site, you will receive timely notices with instructions on what to say to your lawmakers and when. We make it easy! Just click "Join us" from the left-side menu.
You elect your lawmakers, you have the power to ensure that animals are their priority! Your voice counts.
PHONE CALLS
- You will nearly always speak to the lawmaker's aide. Legislative aides are very friendly, and hear from citizens all day long. It is their job to pass along information to the lawmaker.
- Simply have the bill number(s) and title(s) handy, along with your request (support, raise, call for a vote, etc.)
- You do not need to be an expert on the bill. If the aide asks you a question you do not know the answer to, simply say you will ask CVA and get back to the aide with the answer later.
- Be sure to provide your address so the lawmaker knows you are a constituent.
- That's it!
EMAILS
- The best emails are concise and written in your own words.
- Simply provide the bill number(s) and title (s) you wish to address, and then ask for their support according to the bill's status (call the bill for a vote, raise the bill, etc)
- Provide a few sentences on why you feel strongly about the bill.
- Avoid being overly sentimental or emotional. Do not send photos of animals suffering.
- Always be polite.
- Be timely! Contact pertinent legislators when the legislation is before them for consideration.
- Close the email by thanking them for their help.
- Always provide your home address and phone number so they know you are a constituent.
Contacting elected officials is one of the most powerful, change-making tasks you can do for animals. Thank you for being their voice!