By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
We all make decisions every day that impact animals, from the food we eat to the products we purchase to our entertainment choices. Often, the first step toward changing the world for animals is to recognize the importance of our individual decisions. The very next step is becoming savvy about saving animals through systemic reform, learning how to protect the animals in our larger communities.
Whether the goal is to fight legislation like the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act that would have harmful consequences for animals or to promote positive change like the Better Collaboration, Accountability, and Regulatory Enforcement (CARE) for Animals Act, working with our representatives and senators at all levels of government can help tip the scales in favor of animals. But advocacy can be an intimidating undertaking, even if you’ve had meetings with government officials before.
That’s why the Taking Action for Animals conference is such an important part of the work we do in the U.S. This year’s conference takes place over one jam-packed weekend from July 19 to 22 just steps away from the nation’s capital, during which participants have the opportunity to learn about some of the most significant animal welfare issues of our time, connect with other advocates and participate in Humane Lobby Day on Capitol Hill.
Whether you’re new to animal advocacy or have been doing this work for years, TAFA gives you tools you need to make impactful change for animals through nearly 20 different workshops, a main stage session and dozens of exhibits (and keeps you energized through plenty of delicious plant-based food). This year we’re also bringing back our Humane Market, where we will showcase environmentally conscious and animal-friendly products donated by our sponsors for attendees to explore and take home.
The conference concludes with Humane Lobby Day, a chance to speak up for animals by meeting with congressional offices. And for those of you who read this blog regularly, TAFA is your chance to learn more about some of the things you’ve been hearing about here, such as the historic case of 4,000 beagles saved from animal testing and the fight to preserve California’s Proposition 12, the nation’s strongest farm animal welfare law, among many other important issues and topics with large-scale implications for animals.
We’ll be hosting a networking lunch as well as topic-based discussion groups on our mobile app (registrants will be emailed when the app is ready for download). From the HSUS side, among our many staff speaking and attending, our state affairs team will be well-represented with nearly all our state directors joining the festivities at TAFA. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with your state director and find out ways you can get more involved when you return home.
Register now and use discount code BL24T to save $20 (that means you get an entire weekend of workshops, networking, Humane Lobby Day and plant-based meals for just $80). We also offer a student rate of $50. Interested students should email info@takingactionforanimals.org from their student email to access this special rate.
We are again offering our Diverse Animal Advocates Grant program. Approved grant applicants can receive funding to cover the cost of registration (for local applicants) or registration, hotel and airfare (for applicants not local to the Washington area). The deadline for nonlocal applicants has just been extended to Monday, July 1, so there is still time to apply.
And finally, be sure to book your hotel at our special group rate by Wednesday, June 26.
Join us in Arlington, Virginia, for a weekend designed for people devoted to creating the kinder, more compassionate world we envision for animals.
Kitty Block is CEO of the Humane Society of the United States.
