JANUARY 2007

"Sheltering an Animal’s Perspective"

by Gregory M. Simpson, Vice-President Meriden Humane Society, Inc.

Although everyone may not have the opportunity or inclination to write a regular column, the chance to be a public animal advocate through letters to the editor is available to everyone.

There is no secret formula to having a letter to the editor published. It is more art than science, but a well-written letter can be enhanced by keeping a few points in mind.

With the volume of letters received by editors on a limitless number of topics, presentation is important. Letters should always be typed and never more than a page - a few concise paragraphs, at most. Brief is better. I once heard a distinguished speaker at a widely attended conference on animals read a letter to the editor he had written. It took five minutes to read. When asked how many newspapers had published it, he replied, "None." No wonder. Keep your letter short unless you have been asked to write an op. ed. piece.

Editors reserve the right to edit and shorten text. Save them the trouble by eliminating wordiness. This will make a more readable, attractive letter. Check for typographical and spelling errors. Some publications leave mistakes in, followed by the notation "sic," which reflects poorly on the writer.

Letters should be timely and preferably in response to a previously published piece. Editors especially like to print letters which take issue with something on the editorial page, i.e., another letter, an editorial, or an op. ed. piece. Second best are responses to news columns. The longest odds for publication are issues of individual or regional interest that are previously unknown to the public.

Although animal issues can be emotional topics, don’t be overemotional in your writing. Animal advocates are already frequently viewed as being all emotion and no logic. Present new and factual data. Provide sources. Reinforce a professional demeanor by citing your credentials, if relevant. If you have a related advanced degree, list it. If you have a pertinent title, use it. If you have an animal group affiliation, mention it. Lacking expert status, consider using supporting quotations.
Like everyone else, editors see the trend towards increased lawsuits. Personalized criticism is becoming increasingly a legal risk. In June 1990 the U.S. Supreme Court declared that opinion is no longer protected from libel laws as it had been. This includes comments in letters to the editor. Thus, stick to issues, not personalities.
Recognize the publication’s readership. Don’t be surprised, for instance, that a magazine that heavily advertises breeders does not publish your letter condemning breeding. Use language that fits the publication and will be understood by its readers. Write clearly and avoid jargon, keeping in mind that the public needs to be educated about the issues.

The larger the publication’s readership, the more competition there will be in getting your letter printed. Practice in the hometown newspaper before expecting to be published in The New York Times. Don’t give up on The New York Times, though. It only takes a stamp to have a chance at being published. If you don’t get printed in one periodical, you may get the same letter in another. Be prolific. The odds are in your favor. Remember, animals have no voice without people like you.