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In 2022, Queschen M. and her daughter Bella purchased their puppy Lulu, from Four Paws and A Tail, a pet store located in the city of Blaine. Lulu was sick a few days after purchase and had to be euthanized a month later; she was diagnosed with hypoglycemia (common with toy breeds sold through pet stores) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain; an inheritable disease, often due to unhealthy breeding dogs or poor conditions). Lulu was bred by a dog breeder in Wisconsin: Miller Kennel, USDA license # 35-A-0376. This situation is not an isolated case.

ARC’s Go Humane Blaine coalition has been working behind the scenes, gathering information, requesting state records, talking to folks who have purchased sick puppies, and attending city council meetings to raise awareness about puppy mill puppies being sold in Blaine. ARC and Lulu’s family would love your support on this petition, so this injustice doesn’t happen to other families and dogs. If you’d like to get involved in this campaign, send us an email at gohumaneblaine@gmail.com.

Sign the petition

Follow Minnesotan’s Exposing the Pet Trade on Facebook for news and updates

Support the cause of compassion! Join us in making a difference for our animal friends by contributing to the Animal Rights Coalition through GiveMN this November. Your donation empowers us to advocate for and protect the rights of animals across Minnesota. Together let’s create a more humane world.

Your donation today will be matched by an anonymous patron up to $10,000!

Did you know you can TRIPLE your impact? Many employers offer matching gift programs that can double your donation to ARC. Matching gifts allow generous donations to go twice as far for our goal of ending the suffering, abuse, and exploitation of non-human animals through information, education, and advocacy. And it’s easy to request a match?. Check with your HR department to see if your employer participates.

Donate now at GiveMN

Join ARC for the 28th Annual Turkey-Free Friendsgiving Potluck on Sunday, November 12th, from 4:00-6:00 pm! This is a wonderful event to bring your friends and family to and show them how delicious vegan holiday eating can be. You do not have to be vegan or vegetarian to attend, but please bring a vegan dish to share! Beverages will be provided, along with a variety of vegan cheeses and vegan turkey roasts to sample.

We are looking forward to sharing a special meal with all of our friends, longtime and brand new! Location is Living Spirit United Methodist Church, 4501 Bloomington Ave. in Minneapolis. Please RSVP so we know how many people to expect.

If you’re interested in volunteering, help is needed to set up before, staff the plant-based cheese table and kids table, greet people as they enter, take photos, help the dishwasher, and clean up at the end.

Join ARC for a free screening of the new vegan comedy feature film, Coffee Wars! The plot follows Jo, a vegan coffee shop owner and barista who navigates running her business in a dairy-dominated industry. The very successful vegan singer-songwriter and actress, Kate Nash, portrays Jo, the protagonist of the film. View the trailer.

We’ll gather at the Minnehaha Masonic Lodge 165 on Saturday, May 20th, at 2:30 pm. Coffee and snacks will be complimentary!

Unfortunately, dairy isn’t the only social justice issue associated with coffee. Read more about “The Stirring Reality of Coffee” in Food Empowerment Project’s article.

ARC will be attending the Twin Cities Pride Festival again this year and we want you to join us! Volunteer at ARC’s table to hand out free guides to going vegan and plant-based recipes, offer samples of Babybel’s plant-based cheese, set up the virtual reality headsets for viewing, answer questions, and explain the benefits of going vegan. Join us on Saturday, Sunday, or both days, and have a good time with animal-loving friends!

Sign up to volunteer by filling out the form. Let us know which date/time(s) you’re interested in and the activity you would like to do while you’re there.

If you can’t volunteer, stop by and say hi! ARC’s table will be in the yellow section (Y88). Grab a free sample of plant-based cheese, some stickers and a guide to going vegan before you go!

On February 21st, Scott County officials will consider whether to revoke a conditional use permit for the Minnesota Renaissance Festival due to traffic and parking issues, and other permit violations at the Shakopee site. After years of protesting outside of the Renaissance Festival in opposition of their cruel animal rides, the Animal Rights Coalition is taking advantage of this opportunity to speak to Scott County and the public. ARC representatives and a longtime ARC volunteer (and Shakopee resident) will be present at the city council meeting to share concerns about the ethics of animal rides at the MN Ren Fest. Show support for the Ren Fest elephants by joining ARC at the public hearing on Tuesday, February 21st at 7:00 pm.

Other venues in the US, like the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, have already made the ethical decision to cancel cruel elephant rides. It’s time for Scott County to step up and do the same.

Photo taken by Brooke Reynolds (Captured by Brooke Photography)