Thank you for registering for Lobby Day for Animals. We’re looking forward to meeting you in Boston on Tuesday, June 24! For more information visit our Lobby Day Resource Center.
How can I prepare for Lobby Day?
Attend a webinar to learn about Lobby Day and the animal protection legislation you will discuss with your legislators (you will receive the information/links when you register). This is not required, but is highly recommended as a great way to get all the info you would like prior to Lobby Day.
What is the Lobby Day schedule?
Registration: Check-in begins at 10:00 am in the Great Hall on the 2nd floor of the State House. Please allow time for traffic, parking, and State House security.
Speaking program: 11:00-11:45 am
Group photo: 11:45 am
Learn about priority legislation: 12:00-12:30 pm. Talk with representatives from the MSPCA, ARL, HWA, and ALDF about the day’s priority legislation.
Lunch: A plant-based lunch is included with your registration. Please bring a reusable mug and/or water bottle to help us cut down on waste.
Afternoon meetings with legislators: We will schedule meetings with your state senator and state representative between 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm. Please let us know ASAP if you cannot stay for the afternoon meetings.
After your meetings, please return to the Great Hall to complete important meeting evaluation forms. Though the event ends around 3:00, you may be done earlier depending upon your meeting times.
If you want to find out your meeting times before Lobby Day, email advocacy@mspca.org after June 19 and we’ll share the latest scheduling info.
*Please check your latest email for final schedule.
If you have time, you can tour the State House or listen in on a House or Senate session if one is scheduled. You might also enjoy exploring the Freedom Trail or the Public Garden.
How do I get to the State House?
Driving and public transportation directions to the State House. The least expensive parking is underneath the Boston Common, which requires walking a few blocks up a hill to the State House. Note this garage can fill up. You can reserve a spot through SpotHero at this garage or another. Enter by the General Hooker entrance on Beacon Street (a statue of General Hooker on a horse marks the entrance). There is an accessible entrance around the corner on Bowdoin Street. The event is on the 2nd floor in the “Great Hall.” We will have a greeter from our team at the entrance to help direct you. The Rangers at the entrance are also very helpful.
What should I wear?
We often get this question! Business casual is appropriate. Dress neatly and professionally, and wear shoes that are comfortable enough for walking.
Do you need donations of towels and pet food?
We will hold a blanket, towel, sheet, and pet food drive — please bring these items for donation to local animal shelters.
Should I post about Lobby Day on social?
Join the conversation at the Lobby Day for Animals event on Facebook. Please visit this webpage for tips on using social media to advocate for animals and maximize the impact of Lobby Day.
What tips can you provide for meeting with my legislators?
Don’t be intimidated — legislators are people too, and some of them really like animals and have adorable pets. Staff are very friendly, helpful, and eager to learn about pending legislation. As an informed constituent, you can be a great resource to them. Read these tips about meeting with elected officials and their staff.
How can I learn more about my legislators?
How do your elected officials rate on legislation affecting animals? We’ve updated our legislative scorecard so that you can check whether your legislators have sponsored or co-sponsored any of this session’s animal protection bills, or bills that are harmful to animals.
What are the priority bills for Lobby Day?
While there are many important bills that the legislature is considering, we can only focus on a limited number of bills during Lobby Day. Many other bills you may be interested in will have or have had their own rally/lobby day/day of action. If your legislators are on a key committee, we may ask you to speak about another bill or emphasize one of these in particular. Don’t worry about memorizing anything! All the notes you may need for the day will be in your packet.
I registered but now can’t attend. What should I do?
Please let us know so that we can cancel your appointments with the legislative offices. If you know ahead of time that you can’t attend, email advocacy@mspca.org.
Questions?
Email advocacy@mspca.org.
