The "WORKING SMART" discussion is getting bogged down somewhat here in the FML by thinking in terms of just one situation, instead of thinking ahead to the future. That is only taking us in unproductive circles. Let's move FORWARD into talking about ***** WAYS to work smart in the future *****. We have gotten bogged down in things that aren't going to get us anywhere, aren't going to accomplish anything... Let's pull our feet out of the mud and create pathways! Here are some ways that have been mentioned so far (There are more.): 1. learning what legislation exists and how to implement it. Examples include getting Alicia's working packet for how the sale age laws were changed in NH, and also using the resources at http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/legislat/awa.htm (animal welfare act) and http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/publications.html (fed. regulations and more) http://www.tufts.edu/vet/cfa/hoarding.html, and http://www.tufts.edu/vet/cfa/MunicipaLawyer.pdf and http://www.legis.state.il.us/publicacts/pubact92/acts/92-0454.html and http://www.mhsource.com/pt/p000425.html (hoarding and how it hurts animals). 2. Finding out from existing humane groups which of your area's politicians are most likely to help with such legislation, and which can teach you how to best work within the existing legal structures. Some local ones will know, and so will some of the major ones that often bring legal cases: ASPCA, AHS, HSUS, etc. 3. Working to create a friendly and cooperative interaction with your area's major humane groups, animal control, and your state's government branches that licence or supplies permits. This can best be done with friendly and helpful approaches. (Think cooperation and create the routes to move toward that.) Okay, WHAT ELSE WORKS? We have the ability to brain storm here. We have the ability to find ways to improve conditions and to then go ahead and actually improve them. It has been done, so it can be done again. Please, use the subject: ***** WORKING SMART *****. Alicia, please, post your packet that teaches how to get legislation through. Dick, you had a useful packet when folks were legalizing ferrets. I expect that parts of that also may work for other legal changes. Perhaps you have an update? If there is such an "animal" could you tell folks about how to get it? Anyone else who has had success have a "How to" packet out there? Wanted to be discussed here: - Tips that do or may work! - Ideas that do or may work! - Things that worked for other animal efforts! - More people who had success and can give us tips! (Please, when possible, differentiate between concepts that may work and ones which have worked.) Since this is an effort to get folks to think past the single issue that has folks getting nowhere -- if you have advanced other ideas or want repeat things that work, emphasize things that work, or explain things that work, go right ahead. While it is true that some won't work in any given situation or location, OTHERS WILL. Let's get cracking! The FIRST STEP is to find what CAN work. [Posted in FML issue 3929]