Most people think animal advocacy starts and ends with awareness. Share a post. Sign a petition. Attend a protest. But what if the real power to protect animals lies somewhere most advocates rarely look? Politics, policy, and grassroots organizing.
In this eye-opening episode of the Better Life for Animals podcast, Cheryl Moss sits down with Amit Dhuleshia, co-founder of Strategic Action for Animals, to discuss why the future of animal protection may depend on building political power at the local, state, and national levels.
Amit is not your typical activist. After leaving a successful career in software, he redirected his life toward creating systems that make it easier for everyday people to take meaningful action for animals. What followed was the creation of Action for Animals, an innovative app designed to connect people directly with legislation, campaigns, and the elected officials representing them.
Why Animal Advocacy Must Evolve
During the conversation, Amit explains why awareness alone is no longer enough. While outreach and education matter, he believes real long-term change happens when advocates learn how to influence systems, legislation, and the political process itself.
He shares how experiences like fighting rodeo expansion in San Diego opened his eyes to one critical truth. If advocates wait until a crisis happens to contact politicians, they are already behind. Relationships and influence must be built long before key decisions are made.
This episode offers a refreshing and practical perspective on how animal advocates can become more effective without needing huge budgets or massive organizations.
The Power of Grassroots Action
One of the most inspiring parts of this conversation is Amit’s focus on distributed advocacy. Instead of relying solely on large organizations, he believes change can happen through small, local, highly engaged communities working together.
Amit discusses how Strategic Action for Animals is testing scalable models that can be replicated across cities and states. From local ballot initiatives to campaigns banning the sale of birds in pet stores, the goal is simple. Create practical blueprints other communities can use.
The message is simple. You do not need millions of dollars to make a difference. You need strategy, consistency, and people willing to take action.
Inside the Action for Animals App
Cheryl and Amit also discuss the Action for Animals app, which helps users quickly contact elected officials, stay informed on animal-related legislation, and participate in campaigns that directly impact animals.
The app removes much of the confusion people feel around political advocacy. Users can see which issues affect their region, who represents them, and exactly how to take action in just minutes.
For anyone who has ever wondered, “What can I actually do to help animals?” this episode provides real answers.
A Conversation About the Future
This episode is not just about politics. It is about creating a long-term vision for animals that goes beyond reacting to the latest crisis.
Amit brings optimism, strategy, and a solutions-oriented mindset to a movement that often feels overwhelming. His belief that compassionate people can organize for meaningful change is both practical and deeply inspiring.
If you care about creating lasting protections for animals, this is a conversation you do not want to miss.
Episode Highlights
[00:00] Introduction
[01:30] Strategic action for animals
[04:30] Crossing the line to veganism
[06:00] Political activism for the animals
[11:30] Local and national reach
[15:00] Greatest obstacles to passing legislation
[20:00] Launching pilot programs for greater success
[24:30] Impacting farm animals in a positive way
[27:00] The SXFA app
[30:00] How to get involved in action for animals
About Amit Dhuleshia
Amit Dhuleshia is an animal advocate, organizer, and campaign strategist dedicated to building political power for animals through grassroots organizing, public policy, and civic engagement. He is the co-founder of Strategic Action for Animals (SXFA), a nonprofit organization focused on creating systemic change for animals through legislative advocacy, corporate campaigns, voter engagement, and political organizing.
Amit has led and supported a wide range of animal protection campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels. His work includes efforts to ban rodeos in the City of San Diego, end SeaWorld’s fireworks displays due to their impact on wildlife, expand protections for animals sold in retail settings, and defend hard-won farm animal welfare laws. He helped lead a successful ballot initiative in Lemon Grove, California, extending the state’s rescue-only pet store model to birds and qualifying the measure for the ballot. He has also worked on efforts in Del Mar to strengthen local restrictions on the retail sale of animals and expand protections beyond those provided under existing state law.
At the federal level, Amit has been actively involved in campaigns opposing the Save Our Bacon Act and other efforts to weaken state animal welfare standards, including California’s Proposition 12. While his advocacy spans many animal issues, he is particularly focused on improving conditions for farmed animals and advancing policies that reduce animal suffering on a large scale.
His work centers on building people power by organizing volunteers, mobilizing constituents, and creating opportunities for everyday people to take effective action. A central focus of his approach is developing low-cost, distributed advocacy models that can be replicated by local organizers in communities across the country. By creating scalable organizing systems, practical campaign frameworks, and volunteer-driven initiatives, he aims to make effective animal advocacy accessible regardless of an organization’s size or budget.
Amit is also the creator of Action for Animals, a mobile advocacy platform that enables individuals to support animal protection campaigns in just a few minutes. The platform provides users with simple actions—such as emails, phone calls, petitions, and public comments—to influence legislative, local, and corporate campaigns. By lowering barriers to participation, the platform helps build a broader and more engaged movement for animals.
In addition to issue-based advocacy, Amit works to increase animal representation in government by educating voters about candidates’ records on animal protection issues and recommending and supporting animal-friendly candidates for public office. He believes that lasting progress for animals depends on both effective advocacy campaigns and elected officials who are willing to champion animal welfare policies.
Based in San Diego County, Amit is committed to creating lasting change for animals through strategic campaigning, public engagement, and the development of replicable grassroots advocacy models that empower communities to win victories for animals.
About Cheryl Moss
Cheryl Moss is the host of the Better Life for Animals podcast, where she shares uplifting stories from sanctuaries and highlights the work of vegan activists, ethical consumers, and animal welfare leaders. She is also the founder of the Funding Blueprint for Sanctuaries summit, designed to empower those involved with sanctuaries to create sustainable funding streams.
A passionate advocate for animal welfare, Cheryl is dedicated to ending factory farming and supporting underrepresented sanctuaries.
Beyond podcasting, Cheryl is a banking professional and an accomplished children’s author. A graduate of Main Street Vegan Academy, she recently added Vystopia Transformation to her resume. The Vystopia work, created by psychologist Clare Mann, focuses on the emotional impact many people experience after becoming aware of animal suffering and exploitation. The training offers tools for resilience, communication, and emotional well-being while continuing to advocate for positive change.
Through her books, Gabriel, Cluck, and Pickle the Pig, Cheryl inspires young readers to embrace kindness, sustainability, and compassion for animals.
When not advocating, she enjoys Pilates and spending time with her rescue dogs and grandchildren. Through her work, writing, and activism, Cheryl continues to inspire positive change for animals and the planet.
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