When we asked cities about their top responsible pet ownership education needs, more than half said they need to educate more about local pet ordinances and licensing requirements. Here are ways to keep that topic front and center with your community.

Keep it simple. Make sure you have a page on your city website that covers pet ordinances and licensing and has clear instructions for any required steps. Try to optimize the page for mobile browsing too, since many people may access it only on their phones.

Highlight the benefits. As you communicate about pet ordinances and licensing, explain what’s in it for pet owners. Emphasize the benefits, not just the penalties. For example, explain that licensing helps pets get home faster if lost since their owner’s information is registered with the city.

Make it easy to find. Test your website’s search and make sure pet ordinances and licensing can easily be found with a broad array of search terms pet owners might use, including things like “pet laws,” “pet rules,” “pet requirements,” “dog tags,” etc.

Make a QR code. Create a code that goes directly to your pet ordinances and licensing info online, and put it everywhere it might reach pet owners, from the dog park to animal welfare vehicles to cards that can be handed out by shelters, police and others in the community.

Use media alerts. Make it a habit to send out an annual alert to local media about pet ordinances and licensing for the coming year. Explain any changes or new requirements. Work with your local animal shelter to offer a “spokesdog” or “spokescat” who you could pitch for a short segment with you on local news.

Use timely hooks to communicate often. Highlight pet ordinances and licensing anytime you can connect them to timely news. For example, do a social post in January encouraging anyone who adopted a pet during the holidays to get them licensed. Do a post in June about how ID tags help pets get home if they go missing during the scary noise of July fireworks.

Use different channels. Explain pet ordinances and licensing on your social media and website but use other channels too. Print posters for local animal shelters, city hall, the police station, the library and other places people gather. Put up notices at the dog park. Host a booth at a local festival or event where you can talk about pet ordinances, licensing and other responsible pet ownership topics.

Celebrate rule followers. Post cute pictures on social media of “pet stars” who are following local ordinances and licensing requirements. It’s a great way to emphasize the positive and encourage people to stop and read your posts.

Want more tips? Check out the Responsible Pet Ownership Communication Toolkit for help spreading the word on topics from local pet ordinances to pet waste cleanup to emergency preparedness.