Ever wish your town were a bit more like Berkeley, California, which won a Compassionate City Award from PETA for passing an ordinance prohibiting the sale of fur?

Then help make it that way! The city of San Francisco is currently considering a similar ordinance. Why not your community?

First, find out how an ordinance is introduced, sponsored, and passed, and then try your hand at lobbying. Pick an animal issue that’s a problem in your area and see if it can be resolved by passing an ordinance. Perhaps you want to ban the sale of dogs and cats by local pet stores, pass a mandatory spay/neuter law, forbid the practice of tethering dogs, get animal acts outlawed in your area, or have your city be like Berkeley and ban the sale of fur.

Jesse Arreguin, the Mayor of Berkeley, CA, receiving PETA’s Compassionate Ciry Award in April, 2017.

Whatever you choose, research the issue, see if other cities have similar ordinances, and enlist like-minded people to help get the legislation on the books, because it might take some effort.

In short, you’ll need a sympathetic city council member to introduce the ordinance, and you’ll want to put together information packets proving the need for it. Some of PETA’s tips for lobbying for federal legislation also apply to local efforts. Rally the community, and prepare for a public hearing. When it’s time for the vote, contact your city or county council person and urge him or her to vote in favor of the ordinance.

For more detailed information, check out the following webpages:

• http://www.statescape.com/resources/local/ordinance-process.aspx
• http://www.bornfreeusa.org/b2a2_ordinance.php

Even if you don’t win your first battle, consider the effort to be a victory of sorts, and keep pressing on. Your city council may be more open to the ordinance at another time. Find out what the council members who voted against the bill were concerned about, and consider what you can do to pass a similar ordinance in the future.

PETA at San Francisco City Hall

No matter what, be proud that you helped raise awareness of the problem and showed your council members that the community cares about issues concerning animals.

And you can always help animals, regardless of whether you’re trying to pass an ordinance: Simply spread the word about animal rights in other ways, such as by hosting vegan potlucks in your community, calling radio shows to talk about relevant animal issues, writing letters to newspapers and magazines, and handing out literature or leaving it in places like doctors’ offices, beauty salons, rec centers, and retirement communities. PETA’s Guide to Effective Advocacy can help.

Whatever you do, make sure that your local officials—and all members of your community—know that you’re in favor of strong laws that protect animals.