Join ARC today!

ARC Volunteer meetings are held every Wednesday from 7-8pm at our office at 317 W. 48th St. in south Minneapolis. Everyone is welcome - you don't need to be an ARC member to attend.

| more info | 

ARC on Facebook
Chicken Run Rescue
End Pound Seizure Minnesota
Ethique Nouveau
HumaneMyth.org
Minneapolis Vegan Meetup
Rhymes With Vegan
Teaching Compassion
Vegan Drinks Twin Cities

| more links | 

If an animal is in immediate danger, call 911. Read this section for more information.

| more info | 

If you need to find a new home for your companion animal, read the information in this section.

| more info | 

Not Every Cat has Nine Lives at AHS
The Animal Humane Society's five area shelters provide impound services for over 20 cities in and around the metro area, including Afton, Minnesota. In September 2009, a group of Afton residents asked their City Council to review the animal control arrangement between Afton and AHS. This request arose from the discovery that in May 2009, seven cats were caught in live traps, taken to the AHS shelter in Woodbury, and euthanized the same day. By doing so, AHS failed to honor the five-day waiting period as required by Minnesota law. After looking into the matter, the Afton City Council voted unanimously to terminate its impound contract with AHS.

The immediate killing of the seven Afton cats was not an isolated incident. A response from AHS to a complaint filed by Animal Ark, the Animal Rights Coalition, and the No Kill Advocacy Center confirmed that AHS regularly kills strays they believe may be "feral" on arrival without holding them for the required period and without giving guardians of those cats an opportunity to find them. In fact, AHS admitted to killing about 500 cats this way in 2009.

Although AHS routinely kills "feral" cats upon arrival at their facilities, they have no established protocol for determining which cats are feral or which ones may simply be terrified companion animals. ARC, Animal Ark, and the No Kill Advocacy Center believe that guardians of shy, fearful, or unsocialized cats have as much right to reclaim their animals if they are impounded as do guardians of friendly cats.

There is no statutory language in the law that provides a basis for killing feral cats without holding them the required five days even in the unlikely event AHS staff could accurately determine which cats are feral. Additionally, there is nothing in state law that prohibits people from keeping outdoor or unsocialized cats.

Animal Ark, the Animal Rights Coalition, and the No Kill Advocacy Center are doing all we can to ensure that AHS follows state law and stops the practice of killing cats immediately upon arrival at their facilities. See these stories with additional detail on this issue:
Animal Humane Society Agrees to Stop Illegally Killing Cats - Sometimes
Chronology of the Stray Cat Dispute
Summary of Legal Arguments in Stray Cat Dispute
Minnesota Cats will be Safer Due to Challenge to Humane Society Policy

School's In!
And So Is Humane Education!
ARC has been busy getting humane education materials into the hands of teachers. In addition to our booth at the Education Minnesota Professional Conference, ARC offered Cruelty Free Circus Action Project packs to K-3 teachers. The kits contained a lesson plan, student worksheets, and stickers, and they were snapped up quickly by educators eager to teach compassion for animals. We also sent middle school science teachers Frog Fact Files which are colorful kits filled with frog fact sheets covering topics ranging from alternatives to dissection to the lifecycle of a frog. Birdwatching Kits (as alternatives to chick hatching projects) were also sent out to teachers.

Vegan Bake Sale for Haiti
The Vegan Bake Sale for Haiti held at Ethique Nouveau on January 30th was a huge success with over $500 raised for earthquake relief efforts! A big thank you to Megan Duke for organizing the event and to all the volunteer bakers who participated and donated luscious baked goods too numerous to list.

ARC Sponsors Food Not Bombs 30th Anniversary Presentation
Food Not Bombs co-founder Keith McHenry spoke about his 30 years of cooking for peace and working to end hunger, poverty, and war in November at Walker Church in Minneapolis. Food Not Bombs shares vegan and vegetarian meals with the hungry in over 1,000 cities around the globe each week. Click here for info on local chapters of Food Not Bombs.

ARC Quoted in Star Tribune Article about Research on Animals
The Star Tribune contacted ARC for comments for an article entitled "Research on animals slows as support drops" (later retitled by the Strib to "Science takes case for animal research to the people." The article discussed the current billboard campaign being funded by pro-research interests in response to polls showing that from 2000 to 2008 support for research using animals shrank from 70% to 54%. Click here to read the article. Read more about the use of animals in research in Minnesota (University of Minnesota, other facilities).

ARC's Program Director at AR2009: Speaking Up for Animals
Dallas Rising, ARC's Program Director, recently attended the AR2009 conference in Los Angeles where she presented several workshops and was an invited panelist on the "Paths to Liberation" plenary session panel discussion of the strategic issues facing the animal rights movement. Dallas presented the abolitionist perspective (a short definition of the abolitionist philosophy of animal rights vs. the welfarist position is, "We don't want bigger cages -- we want empty cages."). Dallas received no fewer than five interruptions for applause during her presentation and the emails praising her presentation are still coming in to ARC. Way to go, Dallas! View Dallas' presentation, "Abolition: The Only Path to Animal Liberation" on YouTube.

The Animal Rights National Conference is the AR movement's largest and longest-running conference. The four-day program featured nearly 100 presenters from over 60 organizations and nine countries, representing virtually all areas of the AR movement.

ARC at Pride 2009
Besides our booth at the Pride Festival, this year ARC also marched in the Pride parade in Minneapolis. Marchers carried "Go Faux" flags and handed out suckers and stickers that said, "I fake it!" - all to encourage the parade audience to think about swearing off leather and fur. The stickers were a huge success! Here's some pics of the event:

Go Green Go Veg!
A great group of ARC volunteers marched in the May Day Parade. Our theme, echoed in the green flags carried by marchers, was "go green, go veg." Thanks to all the volunteers who staffed our booth at the festival in Powderhorn Park, marched in the parade, and made the day so successful!

These days it seems you can't turn on a television or open a newspaper without seeing a story about the importance of going green. While there are many things you can do to go green, one vitally important action, adopting a plant-based diet, has been ignored by the media and promoters of events such as the Living Green Expo.

According to a 2006 United Nations report "Livestock's Long Shadow," which received little to no media attention, livestock generate more greenhouse gases than automobiles. Here's some other facts about the devastating effects of livestock production:

- 70% of agricultural land, and a total of 30% of the land on this planet, is used for raising livestock.
- The livestock industry is responsible for 18% of all global-warming gases, 9%of carbon dioxide emissions, 37% of methane emissions, and 65% of nitrous oxide emissions; methane and nitrous oxide have 23 to 296 times the warming power of carbon dioxide.
- Animal agriculture accounts for most of the water consumed in this country, emits two-thirds of the world's acid-rain causing ammonia, and is the world's largest source of water pollution.
- The American meat industry produces more than 1.4 billion tons of waste. That's equal to five tons for every U.S. citizen.

Lately, there has been much promotion of "sustainable animal agriculture." The problem with this, however, is that it is not a solution - a cow with access to fresh air and pasture is still a cow who needs plenty of water and food. And that free-range cow still emits methane! The resources consumed by just one person eating the typical American meat-based diet could feed 20 people a healthier plant-based diet. In other words, adopting a plant-based diet is one of the single most important changes a person can make to go green.

When Rescuing Really Means Killing: A Follow-up
We recently posted some questions regarding the killing of about 130 cats that the Animal Humane Society reportedly "rescued" from a mobile home in St. Anthony, Minnesota. In response to ARC's expressed concerns, and concerns expressed by many other animal advocates, the AHS board issued a form letter response on April 6.

In their response, the AHS board failed to address the serious issues raised. Instead, they simply recited their talking points that killing the cats was necessary to keep people and animals safe from disease, points that had already been widely discredited by many knowledgeable authorities.

ARC has learned that nationally recognized veterinarians with expertise in shelter medicine have written AHS and stated that there is "no veterinary basis for such a statement." Veterinarian, bioethicist, and syndicated columnist Dr. Michael Fox and consulting veterinarian, lecturer, and trainer Dr. Linda Wolf are distributing a public letter to the AHS board in which they chastise the organization for the killings, and for the failure of the board to address the issues brought to them. Read the letter from Drs. Wolf and Fox, along with the form letter response from the AHS Board of Directors to complaints about the killing of the cats in St. Anthony, and then contact the AHS Board via email to tell them that the serious questions raised by the community deserve to be fully answered - and not brushed off with a letter that fails to address any of the questions raised.

When Rescuing Really Means Killing:
The Unanswered Questions
On Tuesday, February 10, 130 cats were "rescued" by the Animal Humane Society (AHS) from a hoarding situation in St. Anthony, Minnesota. AHS received multiple offers of help from other shelters and rescue organizations. AHS senior staff told the public and media that the cats would be kept for two to three weeks to complete medical and behavior evaluations. However, for the next few days, AHS executive director, Janelle Dixon was quoted as saying the cats were, "unlikely to be adoptable." On Saturday, February 14, Dixon appeared on WCCO television and announced that the cats had been killed and cited common, treatable, and manageable ailments as the rationale for killing the cats.

Early the following week, KSTP Eyewitness News broke a story in which a shocking timeline was uncovered. In the story Eyewitness News reported that Kathie Johnson, AHS Director of Veterinary Services, had told reporters that it would take weeks to determine the cats' health: " 'We're giving them time to settle down and we're hoping after a few days, we can start fully evaluating them,' Johnson said on February 11. But now, the Humane Society said they were euthanized-not weeks later, not days later-but just hours later that same night."

Most of the media that originally covered the "rescue" gave no coverage to the revelation that AHS had grossly misled them. But even after that revelation, there remain other questions that need to be asked to get to the full truth behind this story:

1) Why has no one interviewed the veterinarian in charge of the case?
2) Has the AHS Board of Directors asked for, or been given, a full briefing by the veterinarian in charge of the case?
3) Have reporters investigated the credentials of the Director of Veterinary Services, Kathie Johnson, who is not a veterinarian? Why is Ms. Johnson allowed to make life or death decisions for animals when she is not a veterinarian?
4) The 2/17 press release issued by AHS said that the cats were euthanized because "Clinical diagnosis and medical testing provided evidence of multiple health issues within the group of cats. The issues included upper respiratory infection (URI), ringworm, the herpes virus, and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)." Why have no reporters questioned whether there is an accurate veterinary basis for this statement? For example, it is not possible to definitively diagnose ringworm within 24 hours. A ringworm culture must be done and it takes at least 10 days to obtain results from this culture. Another example: a positive FIV test result does not indicate that a cat has FIV, only that a cat has been exposed to the virus. How many cats were tested and how many positives were there?
5) If the St. Anthony cats were as unsocialized as AHS claimed, how was it possible to thoroughly examine 130 cats in a matter of a few hours before the cats were killed?

As of yet, there has been no public comment by AHS to the KSTP Eyewitness News discovery that AHS misled both the media and the public. We encourage the AHS Board of Directors, the media, and the public to ask the hard questions listed above so that all the facts in this disturbing case can be brought to light.

Michele Rokke Speaks at ARC
Michele Rokke began working for PETA in 1994 as an undercover investigator. Her first assignment was to investigate allegations of cruelty at a horse ranch in North Dakota. After that she worked undercover at numerous facilities, including Boys Town National Research Hospital, various chicken farms, and, most notably, Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS), where she spent eight months investigating. HLS has been the target of a global campaign aimed at shutting them down because of the way animals are treated in its facilities. Michele spoke about her experience as an undercover investigator and shared what day-to-day life is like for animals in laboratories. You can watch an excerpt from her talk on YouTube.

Shrine Circus Patrons Encouraged to Make This Circus Their Last!
Thanks to all who turned out for the Circus Reform Yes! demonstrations at the Osman Shrine Circus at the fairgrounds in St. Paul. CRY's demonstrations are aimed at educating circus-goers about the reality of the animals' lives. Families often patronize animal circuses out of ignorance about conditions for the animals, so these demonstrations provide circus patrons with a more accurate and complete picture of the realities involved in using wild animals in circuses.

"ARC Speaker Series: Will Potter" Gets Great Media Coverage and Turnout
We had a great turnout for the ARC Speaker Series featuring award-winning independent journalist Will Potter. Potter spoke on "The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act: Examining the Chilling Effect of Eco-Terrorism Legislation" at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul and on "The Green Scare: Using Terrorism Laws to Silence Political Activists" at the Humphrey Center at the University of Minnesota. You can watch Potter's presentation at the U of M on "Our World in Depth", a locally produced show that airs on Minneapolis Television Network (MTN).

KFAI Radio featured Potter on their Catalyst program, the event made the CityPages "A List" for recommended events, the Minnesota Independent and Sky Blue Waters interviewed Potter, and Twin Cities IndyMedia did a great article about Potter. The Minnesota Daily also published two stories about Potter and his blog GreenIsTheNewRed, which features his original reporting and analysis of The Green Scare.

Cut Out Dissection!
Over 50 high schools across Minnesota accepted ARC's offer to provide books about conscientious objection to dissection! We included additional information about humane alternatives to dissection along with the books. Thanks to the generous sponsors of this program, thousands of high school students in Minnesota now have the resources they need to opt out of a cruel and outdated classroom practice. As a bonus, media specialists in high schools across Minnesota now know they can contact ARC for help in finding other animal-friendly resources.

High Marks All Around for Rhymes with Vegan
Star Tribune writer Kim Ode had wonderful things to say about Rhymes with Vegan, the online cooking show sponsored by ARC, and its host Meagan Holtgrewe. Ode said: "Good production values, great music and Holtgrewe's engaging manner combine to make this a local asset." Read the article. The Bridge newspaper did a two-page spread on Rhymes with Vegan entitled "Critter-free cooking" and featured it in their "Chow" section.

Rhymes with Vegan host Meagan Holtgrewe was featured on Fox 9 News Live. During this five-minute spot, Meagan made her Grandpa Earl's stuffing and rosemary gravy and talked with the host about vegan cooking. Watch Meagan's "Tasty Vegan Thanksgiving Ideas" spot.

The CityPages Twin Cities Eater blog also gave high praise to the pilot episode of Rhymes with Vegan. CityPages said: "The pilot episode holds its own against any programming found on the Food Network, complete with veggie chopping scene cuts, explanations of potentially confusing ingredients artfully written on a brown bag, and the ever–popular party montage at the end." Read the review in full.

Denver Post Publishes ARC's Comments about Doe Wounded by Bowhunters
The Denver Post contacted ARC for comment on a doe wounded by bowhunters who has an arrow through her nose, throat and neck. The doe, traveling in a herd, is nursing a fawn. The Colorado Division of Wildlife is still attempting to catch the doe. Read the story entitled"Wounded doe still loose." See a photo of the doe (warning: the picture is graphic and upsetting). To learn more about bowhunting and why this type of situation is not uncommon given bowhunting's high wounding rates, read the bowhunting fact sheet and bowhunting report.

ARC Quoted in Animal Sheltering Magazine
ARC's comments on the USDA B dealer system and pound seizure in Minnesota were quoted in Animal Sheltering magazine, an award-winning magazine published by The Humane Society of the United States for shelters, animal services agencies, rescue groups, and anyone else interested in animal protection. Read the article in full.

ARC in CityPages College Survival Guide
ARC was at the top of the list in CityPages annual college guide for Volunteer Opportunities. If you're a student starting the new semester and looking for ways to help animals, we have lots of interesting volunteer and internship opportunities available. Give Dallas Rising, our Program Director, a call at 612 822-6161 or email her to explore the many ways you can help animals.

Lavender Magazine Publishes ARC's Letter
Click here to read ARC's Letter to the Editor about myths about animal activists in response to a Lavender article entitled "Closer Than a Brother."

Getting the Word Out about Pound Seizure at the Pride Festival and Parade
ARC's participation in the Minneapolis Pride festival was a great success! We had hundreds of people visit our booth to learn more about pound seizure (the sale of cats and dogs from municipal pounds or shelters to research labs) and to pick up info on going vegan and our new Humane Farming Myth brochure. Here's the ARC contingent marching in the parade and Warren, our littlest marcher, showing off his Ban Pound Seizure doggie tee (more tees in various sizes are available for purchase at the ARC office). (photos by Tricia Elsen)

Pound seizure is the sale of cats and dogs from a pound or shelter to research labs. Only two states --Minnesota and Oklahoma, still have laws requiring that publicly funded pounds and shelters turn over unclaimed animals for experimentation. (On 3/27/10 Utah eliminated mandatory pound seizure.) The ultimate fate of these former companion animals is death. But before they die, they may suffer greatly. Visit End Pound Seizure Minnesota to sign the petition and find out more.

Petting zoos at malls and fairs allow children to feed, ride, or have their pictures taken with the animals. Children who visit petting zoos often bring home much more than their parents bargained for as petting zoos are notorious for infecting children with potentially lethal bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella. Click here for a fact sheet with more details on petting zoos.

Hearing a lot about violence in schools? You can do something to help: Cut out dissection! Every year, millions of animals are killed and shipped off to schools, where young people are given scalpels and told to slice up the animals’ bodies. What does dissection teach? Not much, except that it’s OK to chop up animals.

Contact ARC for advice on how to object to dissection at your school. Or call the toll-free Dissection Hotline for information and support for students, parents and teachers who object to dissection.

VegKins is a unique group for
parents raising vegetarian
and vegan children.
Join VegKins on Facebook