Our popular brochure “Have You Ever Stopped to Think About Them?” was designed to make our message of justice for animals accessible to as many people as possible. An excerpt reads: “There is a way to live that seeks to do no harm; it’s called veganism (vee-gun-ism). Vegan choices don’t contribute to the suffering and death of other animals, are much better for the planet, and help you stay healthy and happy.”

A recent study by the Humane Research Council looked at several pieces of literature from large animal advocacy groups and discovered that they were all written at a literacy rate of 11th grade or higher. But according to the U.S. Department of Education, only about 15% of the population reads at that level. So ARC set out to create a brochure at the 7th grade reading level that made the case for animal equality in simple terms so more people could receive our message in a way that works for them. We’re excited to announce that the brochure is now available for download in Spanish and French versions, with more versions in the works.

Thanks so much to all of our amazing volunteers and the 100+ guests who came and ate amazing vegan waffles and toppings at the Fifth Annual Global Vegan Waffle Party on Saturday, May 24 at Fuller Park in Minneapolis. Special thanks to Matt Mehlhoff for taking great photos of the event.

This wasn’t just any waffle party. This was a VEGAN waffle party. Again this year, this event allowed us to begin many new conversations about where our food comes from and the effects of our food choices.Showing people that eating vegan food can be easy and delicious helps remove barriers that folks may otherwise have about going vegan. If what helps people consider that step is showing them that a vegan future can still have amazing brunches in it, we’re happy to help.

Petland is a chain of retail stores that sells live animals. These animals are sourced from breeders and/or brokers, where they may be subject to abuse and neglect.

The Animal Rights Coalition’s Minnesotans Exposing Petland campaign demonstrates outside Petland stores to educate the public about Petland’s selling of animals for profit. We staunchly oppose animal mills and breeding operations, no matter the scale, and advocate adoption and rescue as humane alternatives. Selling animals for profit perpetuates the belief that animals are commodities with price tags.

Minnesotans Exposing Petland’s goal is to persuade Petland to change their business model of selling live animals. Petland Canada has already adopted this measure, and we are asking Petland USA to follow suit; stores would stay in business and employees would keep their jobs, without the need to sell animals and make a dollar on an animal’s life – a win/win solution for all.

With the Shakopee Petland outlet closed down, the only remaining Petland store in Minnesota is in St. Paul. Minnesotans Exposing Petland will continue to hold demonstrations and work to educate the public about Petland and urge the company to change the way it conducts its business. We are always looking for more volunteers to engage in conversations with the public, and demonstrations are an easy, positive way to get involved in this important issue.

Many thanks to Betsy Born for all of her help organizing the “6th Annual World Wide Vegan Bake Sale – Twin Cities’ Style” and to everyone who baked and shopped on Saturday, April 26 at Ethique Nouveau. We were overflowing with sweets and savories, and we even had treats for dogs this year. We’re so lucky to have incredible volunteers and supporters! All proceeds from the sale were donated to benefit the programs of the Animal Rights Coalition to help animals.

If you’re looking for a place to connect with other people who care about making the world better for all animals and you’re ready to start taking action to realize that vision, Minnesota Animal Rights Meetup is the group for you. We’re experienced, active, effective,and busy!

There are lots of opportunities like leafleting, vegan food sampling, tabling, teaching workshops, reaching out to companies to work with them on changing policies, letter writing, sending furs to wildlife rehabs to help orphaned and injured wildlife—we do it all! Join Minnesota Animal Rights Meetup (MARC). You don’t have to be vegetarian or vegan to join; we welcome everyone on their journey towards living a more compassionate life. We’ll help you find your niche and get involved in a way that works for you.

Speciesism: prejudice or discrimination based on species; especially:discrimination against animals.

All around the world wild animals are fighting against humans for their very existence and scientists are predicting a human-caused sixth extinction. Farmed animals are seen only as “stock” without regard to who they are individually, their pain, or their fears.

We humans love our “pets” and other animals who have been deemed our “companions” while participating in activities each day that cause other animals to suffer and die. Are we incapable as a species of activating our empathy and taking a fresh look at our relationships with other species?.

Join ARC and director Mark Devries as we co-host the Minnesota premiere of Speciesism: The Movie at 7:00 p.m. on March 13 at the Lagoon Cinema, 1329 Lagoon Ave. in Minneapolis, and ask Mark anything you’d like at the Q&A afterwards. You’ll never look at animals the same way again—especially humans. Tickets are going fast so get yours now and don’t miss out on seeing this historic documentary. You can watch the trailer here.

Join us for a delicious time at the second annual Twin Cities Vegan Hotdish Cook-Off on Saturday, March 22 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m at the Fuller Park Recreation Center, 48th Street & Grand Ave. S in Minneapolis. Think tater tots, green beans, pasta, and other yummy things all mixed up in a single baking dish. Original recipes from area cooks will be vying for two prize categories: Audience Favorite and Judge’s Pick with additional prizes for the runners up.

Our judges are noted cookbook author Robin Asbell, State Fair judge Susanne Mattison, and none other than the the monochromatically stylish Scott Seekins – The Minnesota Famous! Come and support ARC while tasting a variety of delicious hot dishes for only $1 per sample. Free beverages will be provided and there will be lots of great door prizes. Your best Church Lady attire is welcome, but not required.

We have a few contestant spots left and a $20 deposit will reserve your spot (you’ll get your deposit back in full at the contest). Contestants will receive a $10 gift card from ARC’s vegan boutique, Ethique Nouveau, and one of our new super secret special event tees! To register to compete, email Dallas at dallas@animalrightscoalition.com. See you there!

Thanks to everyone who organized, volunteered, baked, and purchased goodies at the Bake for Their Sake bake sale to benefit our Cuddle Coats program. The sale was a huge success and the volunteers raised over $500 for the program!

This Valentine’s Day, ARC is sharing the love by hosting Bake for Their Sake, a vegan bake sale fundraiser for the Cuddle Coats program. Mark your calendars and join us Saturday, February 8th from 1-4 p.m. to get cruelty-free versions of all of your favorite baked goodies, and maybe even find some new favorites! Bake for Their Sake will be held at Ethique Nouveau (ARC’s headquarters and vegan boutique) at 317 W 48th Street in Minneapolis. If you’d like to donate baked goods for the sale, drop off your items the hour before or at the beginning of the bake sale and please bring along the recipes to give out.

Funds are being raised to help support the Cuddle Coats program, which accepts donated furs and accessories and ships them to wildlife rehabilitation centers where they are used in the rehabilitation process of injured and orphaned animals such as raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks. The fur is especially helpful when contact with humans must be kept to a minimum, by helping to establish a nurturing and soothing environment and providing comfort and warmth for these animals when one-on-one contact is not advisable. Proceeds from the bake sale will help with the shipping of furs to wildlife rehabilitation centers and will also provide funds for new anti-fur posters.

Every year millions of animals are killed for their furs. For those who have decided they no longer want to walk around sporting dead animal skins, ARC’s Cuddle Coats program will take in those furs and give them back to those who really need them: orphaned and injured wild animals. Check out the adorable recipient of a Cuddle Coat, a baby possum growing up strong and secure at Animal Rescue League Shelter & Wildlife Center.

During the rehabilitation process, contact with humans must be kept to a minimum. Fur helps establish a nurturing and soothing environment for these animals. Think of the fur as a surrogate parent. The donated furs offer comfort, warmth, and rehabilitation to these ophaned and injured animals before their release into the wild.

Animal Ark Thrift Store is one of the local businesses that have taken a pledge not to sell furs in their stores. Instead, all furs Animal Ark receives are donated to the Cuddle Coats program. These furs are not sold for profit, but instead are sent to our 22 wildlife rehabilitation partners across the country to be put to use helping wild animals in need. Furs can also be donated at Ethique Nouveau, Everyday People Clothing Exchange, and Earth Exchange.

From the Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic, Inc. in Missouri “Thank you so much for sending us some Cuddle Coats! Our first animals to try them out were a litter of baby mice – and they loved them! Keep up the good work! And thanks again!”