Event Guidelines

PROTESTS, VIGILS, AND OTHER IN PERSON EVENTS

Our Events

Feline Guardians events are meant to bring people together in support of feline welfare through respectful, safe, and constructive engagement. We ask all participants, organizers, and volunteers to help create an environment that reflects our values of compassion, professionalism, and lawful advocacy. The following guidelines are intended to ensure that all events remain welcoming, organized, and focused on our shared mission. Here are some tips and guidelines to get you started.

Read the Community Guidelines

Before Your Event

Define Purpose & Goals

Decide why you are holding the event. Examples:

  • Raise awareness
  • Influence a public figure
  • Gain media coverage

Set Key Objectives
Examples:

  • Raise awareness
  • Influence a public figure
  • Gain media coverage

Understand Legalities

Research local laws on public assemblies, demonstrations, or protests:

  • What is required: Municipal permit required? Notification to the police only? Both?
  • Are there any restrictions on time, location, noise, or number of participants?
  • What are the safety obligations (fire codes, crowd control, first aid)?

You can find this information online or contact local authorities, municipal offices, or legal aid organisations for guidance. Responsibility for illegal actions falls on organizers and participants. Violations of the law may prevent future events.

Plan Logistics

  1. Build your team to:
    • Obtain permit / administrative management.
    • Do social media and media promotion (please reach out to the main FG account for help with traditional media).
    • Lead the action.
    • Manage participants on the day.
  2. Plan:
    • Location & Route.
      • Use public spaces: parks, plazas, pedestrian streets.
      • Avoid blocking critical infrastructure unless approved.
      • Ensure accessibility for all participants, potential media or stakeholders
    • Timing.
      • Choose convenient times for attendees or for your goals (e.g., office hours for city hall/embassies).
      • Avoid conflicts with other major events unless symbolic.
      • Select a date and time sufficiently in advance so people can learn about your action and plan their time to attend (recommended from a month to a week ahead).
      • Actions should not be too long (not to exhaust or disencourage people from participating) but also not too short. Depending on the type of action, you could consider 1 to 3 hours maximum.
    • Crowd Management.
      • Estimate participant numbers.
      • Assign marshals or volunteers to guide participants.
    • Communication & Materials.
      • Prepare banners, flyers, speeches, and digital campaigns ahead of time. Make sure any material you prepare is appropriate for the audience. Do not use graphic imagery.
      • Share the event information via social media, local groups, or relevant communities (e.g. a local cat lovers or vegan group).
      • Educate participants on peaceful, lawful conduct before and during the event – inspiration can be drawn from Feline Guardians guidelines or local authorities’ recommendations. Have a plan for managing participants who break the rules.

On the Event Day

What to Do

  • Set Up: Arrive early to set up meeting points, banners and any first aid or water stations.
  • Be Prepared: Be prepared in the event you are approached by police or city officials. Be polite and collaborative and have any permits handy. Also have a plan for handling combative people.

Post Event

Document and Learn

Always document attendance, media coverage, and any other outcomes. Follow up with interested people and thank volunteers. Review lessons learned and share your event pictures on social media and with the Feline Guardians main accounts.