2026 Ballot Campaigns / Quick Comms Guide
Force-Feeding Birds Act | Denver & DC
1. Lead with animal cruelty.
Avoid consumer health, environmental, or public health arguments. A recent study found that animal cruelty messaging alone is the most effective way to increase support for ending force-feeding.
Adding health, economic, or social norms arguments on top of animal welfare messaging actually performs worse. This holds true across all major demographic groups.
2. Let the facts speak for themselves.
Describe the force-feeding process in clear, concrete detail to make an emotional impact, without relying on charged adverbs/adjectives (i.e. calling it a ‘torture product’ or saying it’s horrific or brutal) that can be perceived as us telling voters how they should feel.
Pax Fauna's Narrative Research found that the general public tends to view animal advocates as emotionally manipulative, and any exaggeration confirms that stereotype and gives them permission to dismiss us. Describing the force-feeding process in plain language is shocking enough.
3. Always specify “force-fed”.
Remember to specify that our initiatives only target products made from force-feeding (i.e. "force-fed foie gras"), not foie gras generally. While it is technically possible to produce foie gras without force-feeding, it's nearly impossible to purchase.
CSU's Animal Human Policy Center messaging study that this distinction alone increases voter support for a prohibition by 5–10%, and nearly 10% in Denver.
4. Never say “ban”.
We’re ending / stopping / prohibiting / phasing out the sale of force-fed foie gras, not banning it. Product bans can trigger government overreach and personal choice concerns in voters.
Our legislation includes a 7-month phase out period, and does not restrict the actual consumption or possession of force-fed products.
5. Keep the focus narrow.
This campaign is focused on stopping one specific practice: force-feeding. It's fine to talk about how Pro-Animal Colorado or Pro-Animal DC work to end or phase out factory farming, but don't lead with it or spend significant time on it with voters.
6. Be pro-business.
We express our genuine care and concern for local businesses, and communicate with confidence that no businesses will be harmed and no jobs will be lost as a result of this ordinance.
Why? Research suggests that removing foie gras could boost restaurant sales. In a controlled experiment, respondents were randomly assigned to read one of two nearly-identical menus, one with foie gras and one without. Researchers found that including foie gras on a menu made participants 12% less likely on average to dine there.
7. Choose messengers wisely.
The most persuasive messengers for our campaign are local chefs, restaurant owners, veterinarians, and anyone who has seen force-feeding firsthand.
When possible, prioritize featuring those messengers rather than activists, vegans/vegetarians, out-of-towners, or representatives of out-of-state / national orgs.
8. Use common language.
Meticulously avoid any words and phrases that are unfamiliar to the general public. In Denver, the phrase “ballot measure” is commonly used, while in DC, it's typical to say “ballot initiative”. When speaking to voters or to the press, refer to the org by our local chapter names (Pro-Animal DC / Pro-Animal Colorado).
Pro-Animal DC: Always refer to DC as “DC” or “the District” (never Washington, the District of Columbia, or Washington, DC) and refer to our electeds as “DC Council” (never “City Council”). Use “the DMV” to refer to the metro area surrounding DC.
9. Know the two exemptions.
Medically necessary force-feeding of birds as directed by a licensed veterinarian (for the bird’s own well-being).
The sale of foie gras not produced with force-feeding (very rare, very expensive, and to our knowledge, not currently sold in the U.S.).
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