How to be an advocate
Want to fight BSL and advocate for more effective laws? Congratulations! Great steps have been made in overturning breed-specific legislation in Canada and worldwide, but there is still a lot of work to be done. We need every voice.
As you get started, we’d like to share a few tips based on our many years of experience working in breed-neutral advocacy.
**Stick to the facts
Above all, research reputable sources (visit the “media and critical thinking” section of our site for tips and links). Bookmark them, so you are prepared to back up any of your claims.
Most often advocates try to change minds through emotional appeals and personal stories (“but MY dog is so nice!”). There is a time and place for these, but to be taken seriously we need to back up our claims with facts – especially when dealing with policy makers.
Be clear and concise, and focus on concrete arguments - for example:
- BSL doesn’t work
- BSL is usually more expensive and more difficult to enforce
- Evidence-based alternatives exist and are effective in places around the world.
Check out the information package under “Take Action Against BSL” on our site!
**Critical Thinking
There are a LOT of articles and memes that share facts about BSL and “pit bull” type dogs. A lot of them sound good and seem to support your cause – so you should share, right? Well, no. Not right away. Don’t take information at face value because it aligns with what you WANT to believe. A cute meme with a dramatic statistic may be based on old or unreliable information. Sharing it will ultimately damage your own credibility. Research EVERYTHING before you put it out into the world.
**Be strategic with your time and energy
Sometimes we are so passionate about our cause that we want to do everything we can to get the word out. If an unfair media article is circulating, you may be tempted to write letters and shout from the rooftops!
Our advice is to take a breath and think carefully about the best use of your time. Most media coverage is here today, and gone tomorrow. If you can point to a specific aspect of media coverage that is inaccurate, it can be helpful to write a polite response, but simply complaining that it’s “not fair” or “prejudiced” will only get your letter dismissed.
Another time-waster is arguing with people on comment threads – the person commenting usually has their mind made up. You may think others are reading, but very few people dive deep into comment threads. And no one at all goes there to research important issues.
We suggest creating your own messaging with facts, positive statements about BSL alternatives, and concrete actions about what your friends and followers can do. Share this on social media proactively.
Find opportunities to talk to people in your community, at events, dog parks, or presentations. Most people do not have a strong pro- or anti-BSL stance and are somewhere in the middle. That’s who you want to reach. By providing them with information and engaging in respectful discussion, you can get them thinking.
**Prepare for trolls and mean folks
Some people will have opinions about certain groups of dogs that are misguided or even downright ugly. There is at least one lobby group that advocates for the banning of certain breeds. You don’t have to look too hard for their soundbites and spam on any dog attack post.
Once again, the key is to keep your emotions in check. You WILL see inflammatory and disturbing statements. You may be called names or have your motivations questioned. The people who lobby for exterminating an entire category of dogs, unsurprisingly, are capable of some pretty shocking behaviour.
Reaching defensively doesn’t accomplish anything. If someone is trolling you, you are giving them what they want by getting angry. If they genuinely believe exaggerated claims about certain dogs, it’s unlikely you are going to change their mind by fighting with them. By descending to their level, you also risk getting yourself upset and saying something in anger that can be used against you later.
If you see a conversation going in this direction, exit early and gracefully. You can post a few parting links or facts if you wish, especially if you think someone else might be reading - but then say goodbye and turn off notifications. It’s not easy, but it allows you to spend your time more constructively, and keeps us on the moral high ground.
***Connect with allies
There are a lot of smart, passionate people in our community! Please read through the resources on this page, follow us on social media, and reach out anytime.