Despite the incredibly deep pockets available to organizations such as HSUS and PeTA, it IS possible to fight back.

First, make your opinion known. The minute you find out about animal legislation in your area, contact the media and voice your opinion. Be specific. Use both the bill number and title.

Second, contact not just your legislator, but also the sponsors, committee members, and the entire legislature. This is a very important point. Early in the bill's life, a lot of representative probably have not read the entire bill unless they were a sponsor or are on a committee that will hear it. If you contact every legislator before the bill gets to the floor, you will have stated you opinion and brought the bill to the attention of some legislators who may not have an understanding of the impact - or may not even have heard of it!

Flood the legislature with e-mails, phone calls, and faxes. Once isn't enough. Make them remember your name and where you stand!

Have your local/regional/national club write a position letter and fax that to every legislator.

Key points to bring up include the right to own dogs, the invasion of privacy that many of these laws entail, the infringement of civil liberties, and very important, point out the economic benefits that your state will lose if it is perceived as dog-unfriendly. Dog shows bring an enormous amount of revenue to their host cities, and this usually will get a legislator's attention. Also make note of the fact that every state already has existing laws regarding animal cruelty, and the introduction of new legislation is costly and will fall directly onto the shoulders of the taxpayers.

Be polite and be specific. If you are unable to speak to a legislator, then register your opinion with his or her aide.

Talk to your veterinarian. It's amazing how many of them are in favor of these bills until you point out the math. Point out that yes, they will be busy speutering for a couple of years. After that their practice will drop to routine shots and exams. And in about 10 years, to primarily geriatric cases. After that...there won't be animals to treat.

Educate your friends and co-workers about HSUS and PeTA. Many are unwittingly thinking they are supporting a good cause.

Most important, never give up. Compromise is not acceptable. Compromise entails both parties conceding something. In the case of the animal legislation, HSUS has nothing to give up. The only people making concessions are the responsible dog breeders and owners.