Animal Impact

by Caryn Ginsberg

Why do some animal protection efforts succeed while others fail? Discover how more than 80 leading advocates create change for animals. You'll learn a seven-step system with techniques that are transforming advocacy… and the world. Find out what it takes to be effective personally and in organizations from grassroots to global. Engaging stories and practical how-tos make Animal Impact a must-read for anyone who cares deeply about helping animals. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how some of today's most respected animal advocates are making a difference. An innovative, easy-to-remember framework summarizes key points for action. Newcomers can get a fast start to high-impact advocacy. Veterans in the field will benefit from fresh ways of thinking, as well as new methods to apply. The lessons are useful for individual advocates, volunteers, frontline staff, program and campaign managers, executive directors, board members, and funders. Though written for people seeking to influence others, the insight on what separates winning efforts from disappointments will also interest movement observers and students of social change. For more than a decade, Caryn Ginsberg has helped leaders on issues including: spay/neuter, adoption, emergency animal services, humane education, vegetarianism and veganism, wildlife, and more. As an instructor for Humane Society University and at conferences and events, she has shared strategies about influencing people, businesses and government. Praised by luminaries including Peter Singer, Wayne Pacelle, Ed Sayres, Gene Baur, Esther Mechler, Michelle Thew, and others, Animal Impact reveals her powerful approaches for achieving the results that advocates and the animals deserve.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2011

Reviews

[Unny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! It is very sensible advice, organized in a really clear way, and includes many stories that keep it entertaining and illustrate the points made. Use this book to help chart your steps as an animal advocate.

[John Scargall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caryn Ginsberg does a marvelous job of joining the rigor of business methods for testing ROI to the passionate hearts of animal welfare advocates. This is a must read for anyone who wants to maximize their impact for helping animals via charitable initiatives.

[Teechutha Netcharussaeng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clearly written advice about animal advocacy that I find really interesting. The takeaway is to use social marketing in your advocacy. Made me reconsider the old-fashioned image of angry protesters and aggressive animal advocates. Rather, advocate smart, study your target group, appeal to their values, make it easy, and don't forget to evaluate. Perfect recipe for successful social campaigns. Good insight.

[Jeffrey Spitz Cohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Animal Impact” is a welcome addition to the small but growing library of books about animal-welfare activism.

Caryn Ginsberg organizes her book around her “ACHIEVEchange System.” Her “system” is based on seven basic principles that might seem elementary but that are frequently and widely violated by advocates.

She illustrates the principles with numerous case studies and with interviews with more than 80 experts in the animal-advocacy world.

“Animal Impact” includes a brilliant role-playing exercise in which the reader is approached by various activists in a shopping mall: one urging the reader to boycott department-store clothing, the other advocating a raw vegan diet.

I found this role-reversal exercise very helpful in understanding why our messaging usually fails to yield results, and equally helpful in understanding how we can improve the effectiveness of our advocacy.

My only complaint is that the book’s format includes some repetition. But the reader can skim or skip the repetitive sections and concentrate on the well-described principles and examples.

Whether you’re a professional or a volunteer for an animal-welfare organization, this book will help you make a bigger impact.

[Peacegal]

Animal Impact: Secrets Proven to Achieve Results and Move the World
by Caryn Ginsberg

[Christinedanko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource formactivists or anyone who wants to make a difference. Clearly-defined steps to take with good examples.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for activists. Great tools, strategies and anecdotes.