Sample Letters to Legislators

(Click on any photo for a larger view)

"Never give in.  Never give in.  Never, never, never, never — in nothing, great or small, large or petty — never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense.  Never yield to force.  Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."
               — Winston Churchill

       Every letter of support counts. Your legislators DO pay attention, particularly when they receive several letters on the same issue. Your letter might just be the one that sways this vote!

       We are providing five sample letters for your use, in a variety of styles. At the top of each Sample Letter page, a link to a Word document of that file is provided. If you have Word, or Word Pad, you can download this file, save it on your computer, and modify it directly, following the guidelines below.

        If you do not have Windows installed on your computer, you may copy letters into your own word processing program directly from the website (see item #2 in How To Use Sample Letters Effectively) and modify as indicated

       Letters to the editor of your local newspaper are also an effective tool. Educate your friends, neighbors, and co-workers, write explaining the situation and directing others to this website or asking them to write their own letters. You can modify any of our samples to create an effective Letter to the Editor.

    Choose a Letter:   

    How to Use Sample Letters Effectively   

1. Browse through sample letters to find the letter regarding the licensing and inspection of "pet facilities" that represents your beliefs

2. Download the Word file of the letter, or highlight on the screen, copy, and paste the letter of your choice into your word processing program. OR --

   • Read through all five letters, then cut and paste paragraphs to fit your own "voice."

3. Enter the appropriate Date in the DATE area.

4. Enter the name, title and address of your legislator in heading of the letter. Always address your legislator respectfully.

   Remember, you can easily find contact information for your area's representatives by going to: http://www.legis.state.wi.us./ and clicking on the "Who are my legislators?" button.

   
   

5. Enter the name of your legislator after the word "Dear."

6. Change any of the content that does not apply or that you would prefer to modify. Briefly incorporate your own thoughts or experiences. Remember, elected officials are busy, and are unlikely to read all the way through lengthy letters. Try to keep yours to one page.

7. Enter YOUR NAME. Never send an anonymous letter to an elected official. It very likely won't ever even reach his desk.

8. Enter YOUR ADDRESS. Please note that your legislator probably won't pay much attention to what you have to say if this information isn't included.

9. PRINT LETTER.

10. Sign Letter.

11. Keep a copy of the letter for yourself.

12. Send a copy of the letter to your legislator.

13. (OPTIONAL) Send a copy of the letter to:
    Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project
    PO Box 516
    Elkhart Lake, WI 53020

14. PLEASE ASK OTHERS to write. Print out other letters and ask friends, neighbors, family members and co-workers to sign them. Offer to mail the letters for them, if necessary.