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Dairy-Free Future Day at the MN State Capitol

Join community members at the MN State Capitol to share our concerns with representatives about the harm the dairy industry causes our health, the animals, and our planet. We’ll meet outside of the Capitol to distribute educational literature to those entering and leaving the building. Individuals can also drop information off to their representatives as appointments may not be available.
 
With the rapid spread of H5N1 bird flu through dairy herds, epidemiologists and other infectious disease experts are warning of the coming zoonotic pandemic. 61 people in the United States have contracted H5N1.
 
Sixty-five percent of the global population is lactose intolerant.
 
Animal rights advocates continue to remind the public that the dairy industry is unethical and unnecessary, causing harm to cows and their offspring.
 
Runoff from MN dairy farms is contaminating groundwater and surface water with nitrates from manure and fertilizer. In 2023 the EPA estimated that nearly 10,000 people in southern Minnesota had water supplies contaminated by hazardous nitrates. The dairy industry is horrible for our environment.
 
𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡 𝗨𝗣 𝗧𝗢 𝗩𝗢𝗟𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗥: https://dash.pointapp.org/events/263188

No Pardon for Tom the Turkey

A twenty-two-week-old turkey named Tom was put on display at the Minnesota State Capitol just days before Thanksgiving, in a mockery of the Presidential Turkey Pardon tradition. While the pardon is a symbolic gesture, Governor Tim Walz’s statement that “this turkey is not pardoned from its fate” highlights the grim reality faced by so many turkeys this time of year—regardless of any ceremonial gestures.

Tom, bred by Paisley VonBerge, a high school senior from Hutchinson, Minnesota, as part of the Future Farmers of America program, was destined to be slaughtered for her family’s consumption. “After today, this turkey will go back to my farm to be enjoyed the way turkeys were intended to be enjoyed,” VonBerge said, reinforcing the troubling view that animals like Tom are commodities to be used for human purposes.

Governor Walz’s dismissive attitude toward animal rights is evident in his treatment of his daughter Hope, a vegetarian. During a 2024 Minnesota State Fair interview, when Hope declined his suggestion to eat a corndog, he proposed eating a turkey instead. Again Hope rejected eating an animal and he dismissed her by saying, “Not in Minnesota. Turkey’s special.” This exchange reflects the broader disregard for animal rights among those in power.

Whether pardoned or slaughtered, these rituals of celebration and consumption fail to recognize the inherent value of sentient beings. Tom’s story serves as a stark reminder that behind every holiday tradition and meal, there is a life—one that is often treated as insignificant in the pursuit of human enjoyment.

Take a Peek: Our Redesigned Website is Here!

We’re excited to announce the launch of our brand-new, easy-to-navigate website! Designed with you in mind, our updated site makes it easier than ever to stay connected and take action for animals. Here’s what you can do:

  • Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news, updates, and insights by exploring our regularly updated blog.
  • Never Miss an Event: Check out our calendar to stay on top of all ARC events.
  • Get Updates: Sign up for our monthly newsletter and volunteer email list to stay in the loop on ARC news and upcoming events. 
  • Take Action: Link to our Volunteer Network or POINT to sign up for exciting volunteer opportunities that make a real difference.
  • Learn More: Dive deeper into our programs and campaigns to see how we’re advocating for animals and their rights. 
  • Support Our Work: Make a donation to help us continue fighting for animal rights and building a community of changemakers.
  • And So Much More: Explore resources and discover ways to get involved!

This is more than just a website—it’s your hub for being part of the ARC movement. We’re thrilled to have you along for the journey and can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together!

Check it out now: https://animalrightscoalition.com/

SeaQuest Fort Worth Has Closed!

We’re thrilled to announce that SeaQuest Fort Worth has closed its doors! However, at this time, we do not have information on the future of the animals at this location. We sincerely hope SeaQuest will collaborate with animal advocates and sanctuaries to ensure safe, caring placements for these animals.

Currently, five SeaQuest locations remain open: Roseville, MN; Folsom, CA; Woodbridge, NJ; Las Vegas, NV; and Layton, UT. Earlier this year, SeaQuest Littleton, CO shut down, following closures in Connecticut and Georgia in 2023.

Many remaining SeaQuest locations are under investigation, including SeaQuest Roseville, which has accrued nearly 100 violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Recent USDA inspection reports, now publicly available, reveal ongoing welfare concerns. SeaQuest Roseville only recently established a formal agreement with an attending veterinarian (AV), a critical requirement absent since April. The USDA’s August 5th, 2024 inspection report states, “One of the two pigs housed in the enclosure has long hooves with mild outward curving causing splaying and abnormal positioning of the toes. Excessively grown hooves can result in abnormal weight distribution and eventually lead to discomfort, pain, and lameness.” Although the welfare of these animals is of high concern, it is in their best interest to live free from exploitation in a sanctuary setting. While the most recent report doesn’t mention the pigs, we remain hopeful that their welfare needs, along with those of other animals, are being addressed.

Let’s Sink SeaQuest Roseville! Connect with us on Facebook, join our protests, sign the petition, and reach out if you’re a former SeaQuest employee or Roseville resident interested in helping out.

Upcoming Protest Dates:

Humane Blaine Pet Store Ordinance

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

Advocating for Animals Since 1980

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

ARC’s 28th Annual Friendsgiving Potluck

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.

Sign up to volunteer

Free Screening of Coffee Wars

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.

Volunteer with ARC at PRIDE!

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!

Shut Down SeaQuest

Guests attending the SeaQuest Rosedale Mall location state that animals were left to be touched with no staff supervision where animals could have been easily harmed, or even killed. Additional concerns are for the animals forced to interact with humans and inadequate enclosures that don’t even attempt to recreate their natural habitats.

Visitors post reviews frequently recounting disturbing experiences and saying that they’re ashamed they visited. At the Rosedale Mall location, a bat ray was seen struggling to breathe. Bat rays have the ability to jump out of the water and skim along the surface, and like most rays, they often rest, semi-buried, in the sand. But at SeaQuest, they’re forced to live in crowded touch tanks and often seen with wounds or other health problems.

In one incident at SeaQuest Littleton in Colorado, a wallaby named Ben was unable to escape from an aquarium tank and drowned.

At SeaQuest Las Vegas, a wolf eel named Saturn was left to suffer after an inch and a half of their tail was partially eaten, leaving painfully exposed tailbone. Despite knowing this, the facility didn’t contact a veterinarian until after local law enforcement got involved.

After learning of these horrors, some businesses, including Sam’s Club, have compassionately chosen not to support mall aquariums—yet others have continued to promote animal suffering and risk public safety. Please urge the remaining promoters to reconsider their relationship with SeaQuest moving forward.
Let the Rosedale Mall know that you find this business within their mall to be dangerous for the animals and guests.

SeaQuest owners, the Covino family, has a lengthy history of animal welfare issues, animal deaths, legal violations, and injuries to employees and the public from direct contact with animals. SeaQuest has ten locations throughout the United States. Let them know you don’t want them in Minnesota.