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Word on the Street with Mike Wheeler: “Do what’s right, not what’s easy”
January 28, 2026, The Association
NACA’s President lays out strategy for building relationships with local government officials
In this latest Word on the Street, we’re passing on the juicy advice shared by Mike Wheeler, MBA, during his session, “Mastering Government Relations in Animal Control,” at The Annual Conference a few months ago. Although the session was directed at municipal agencies, leaders at all animal welfare orgs can benefit from the tips here.
When I was young, I used to close down bars. Nowadays, I close down city council meetings. I’m the first one to arrive, and I’m the last one to leave. Because the meetings don’t happen during the meeting. The meetings happen before the meetings. The meetings happen after the meetings.
And you know what? I’m not going up to every city councilperson talking about what I don’t have or what I need. But I do talk. I talk about the new convenience store going in, or I’ll talk about new roadwork. If they say to you afterwards, “Hey, that was great. Is there anything else you need,” then you can tell ’em.
Demanding things, even for leaders at humane societies and rescues, doesn’t work. People get defensive. They get standoffish. You will not be invited back to speak. Ever. So it’s best to sit in the background and let them come to you, because they will.
And that’s tough. Because we’re always thinking, “Oh, if we only had more money or if we only had more staff, if we only had this, if we only had that…” Instead, take that out of your mindset, and just think about how you can help one more person. Because if you can help one more person, your city council will love you because now you’re helping the people that vote for them, the people they talk to.
– Mike Wheeler, President, National Animal Care & Control Association, & Director of Community Services, Cabot, AR
Hear More from the Field
Word on the Street with Shelly Moore
Word on the Street with Kristi Mack
Word on the Street with Kurt Krukenberg
About The Association
The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement is a cohort of leaders on a mission to champion, advance, and unify the animal welfare profession.
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I need to stop demanding the City of Beaconsfield improve conditions at the City Pound at 303 A Beaconsfield Boulevard behind Herb Linder Annex and instead just talk to them. Maybe the pound will come up.