Making the Call: How to Influence Change for Wild Horses
Advocating for the protection of wild horses and burros is crucial, and one of the most effective ways to create change is by contacting your U.S. Representative and Senators. This guide provides you with essential tips to make your voice heard.
Why Phone Calls Matter
Former Congressional Staffer, Emily Ellsworth, explains:
“I believe phone calls have a significant impact because of their immediate call to action. It requires formulating a response right away, and in our district office, we began tallying calls immediately when we received a large number on a specific topic. I also liked hearing the voices of constituents because they felt more personal than an email or letter.”
Steps to Make an Effective Call
- Look up the telephone numbers for your Representative and Senators. Call each official in their DC office and one local office.
- Always identify yourself as a constituent. Start the call by saying, “Hi, my name is [name] and I’m a constituent of [Member of Congress].”
- Have a specific call-to-action. Until there is a specific bill to weigh in on, say, “I’m calling to let Rep./Sen. [name] know that I oppose the mass roundup and slaughter of federally-protected wild horses and burros. I ask him/her to oppose any proposal that would lead to the killing or sale for slaughter of wild horses and burros and support all measures to promote humane and scientific management of wild herds with birth control instead of roundups and removals. Thank you.” You can also add why this issue is important to you – as a local horse owner, horse lover, etc. End the conversation by asking that the opinion/request be recorded.
- Remain respectful. Stay calm and collected to ensure your message is heard.
If you need additional help, please reach out to us at [email protected]. Learn more at AmericanWildHorseCampaign.org.