How to Start an Animal Advocacy Group and Get Results: Lessons from Pennsylvania Voters for Animals

Think you need a law degree or years of experience to pass animal protection laws? Suzanne Gonzalez started Pennsylvania Voters for Animals with no legislative background and helped pass a comprehensive pet sales ban in Easton, PA. Host Penny Ellison shares their step-by-step blueprint that any group of committed advocates can replicate.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why forming a 501(c)(4) instead of a 501(c)(3) gave Pennsylvania Voters for Animals more legislative power—and how to get pro bono legal help setting up your own organization
• The research shortcut: How to use other cities' successful ordinances as your starting point instead of reinventing the wheel
• Why local advocacy works better than jumping straight to state legislation—and how to mobilize community members to show up and testify
• Strategic partnerships that accelerate success: How Pennsylvania Voters for Animals connected with Voters for Animal Rights, Animal Defense Partnership, and World Animal Protection US
• How to handle opposition from the pet trade industry—and when to compromise without abandoning your principles

Key Takeaway: You don't need a law degree, political connections, or massive resources to pass animal protection laws. Suzanne and Pennsylvania Voters for Animals proved that ordinary people with commitment, strategic partnerships, and a willingness to learn can achieve results—one community at a time.

Resources Mentioned:

• Pennsylvania Voters for Animals
• Voters for Animal Rights (New York)
• Animal Defense Partnership
• World Animal Protection US
• Fish Feel
• Lady Freethinker

If you're in Pennsylvania and want to bring a pet sales ban or other animal protection ordinance to your community, reach out to Pennsylvania Voters for Animals at pavotersforanimals.org. They're building a network of advocates across the state and are eager to help you succeed. Even if you're in another state, they're happy to share their experiences and resources.

Subscribe for more episodes on animal law, effective advocacy, and practical solutions for systemic change—because compassion is great, but compassionate action is infinitely better.