CVA has kicked off a sixteen-month strategic plan to guide the organization’s activities from now through December 2022. The plan furthers CVA’s goal to increase awareness and advocate for public policy change around the rights, well-being and protection of all animals in CT. It’s going to be a busy time and CVA will be seeking your help to realize the success of these programs. More details are on the way, but to whet your appetite, here’s what’s on the drawing board:

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• Build the membership base to increase to the success rate of legislation and support the growth of CVA programs.  In the fall, CVA will launch regional recruitment meetings and identify regional leaders who will help recruit and establish relationships with legislative representatives in their geographic area.  Key to legislative success is knowing your legislator, recognizing that animal advocates intend to speak up for animals and hold their elective leaders accountable.  

 

• Institute a multi-faceted education program to include:​​

  • Public policy:  CVA’s central focus will be on animal cruelty, and educating lawmakers on the nature of animal cruelty, the link between cruelty and abuse, and the need for revisions to CT’s outdated cruelty statutes. 

  • Library of policy videos:  CVA will expand its video library of policy issues and legislative processes on our YouTube channel. Topics may include animal cruelty, puppy mills, factory farming and its impact on the environment and animals, and more detailed tips on advocating at the state capitol.  

  • “Animals and CT Laws Legislative Workshop":  Hosted at the beginning of the legislative session, the annual event will be modeled on CVA’s prior legislative workshops. It will cover key issues likely to be considered in the upcoming session, legislative process 101, and include speakers representing state legislators, relevant agency representatives. and advocacy organizations. 

  • College Outreach Initiative:   A new initiative for CVA, the program is driven by students from Yale and UConn with the guidance of a CVA Advisory Council member.  The students have decided to focus on the impact of animal farming, cruelty, and the environment.  Their plan is to reach out to colleges and universities throughout CT, recruit interested students and educate lawmakers on animal issues important to college students in CT. 

 

• Volunteer Program:  Strengthen the volunteer program to include a geographically diverse brigade of animal supporters. This will allow the opportunity to expand our leadership and be more effective advocates in areas where we currently lack representation.