It’s time for the 10th Annual Global Vegan Waffle Party on Sunday, June 17 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in the Fuller Park Building at 4800 Grand Ave. South in Minneapolis. Each year, the waffle party allows us to begin new conversations about where our food comes from and the effects of our food choices. And it’s a chance for ARC to say thank you to our wonderful supporters and volunteers for your dedication and hard work for animals.

Here’s how it works: the ARC staff and board of directors make lots of vegan waffles. You come to the party with a plate to pile high with waffles, your silverware, and a vegan topping to share (topping ideas: fresh fruit, maple syrup, chocolate chips, peanut butter, fruit sauce, Just Like Honey, coconut, vegan whipped topping). Join us for delicious waffle fun at this free event! Please RSVP at Vegan Meetup so we know how many waffles to make.

Chicken Run Rescue recently rescued a handsome rooster named Turnip from St. Paul and 7 hens from a cruelty confiscation in Minneapolis. Turnip was lucky. CRR was able to place him, but the next discarded boy may not be so lucky.

If you live in St. Paul, let your city council member know that St. Paul’s rooster ban needs to be lifted as the ban is a death sentence for roosters who represent 50% of the chicks hatched for the backyard chicken fad.

Turnip and most of the hens lost part of their combs and a few toes to frostbite. The standards for care in both cities need to be improved and enforced. If the Cities are going to allow chickens, they need to step up to their responsibilities.

Contact St. Paul city council members.
Contact Minneapolis city council members.

Many of you may remember our petition “Justice for Marcus” that collected over 33,000 signatures, and asked the prosecutor and judge to prosecute the cat’s abuser, Taylor Winum, to the fullest extent of the law .  

Monday 3/19 was the sentencing for Winum, who came to court with alcohol and cocaine in his system according to his urinalysis. We sat through the painful surveillance video from the apartment complex where the horrific incident took place. After this, Marcus’ heartbroken guardian stood in front of the courtroom to explain how this tragedy has affected her, and what she would like to see done as a result.

Winum was sentenced to 120 days in jail, anger management classes, random drug testing, active mental health treatment, not allowed to own a pet/service animal or have unsupervised contact with an animal, and three years probation. 
 
While Winum did not get the full sentence allowed by law, we are pleased that this case was taken seriously by the court. Read Marcus’ guardian’s moving statement.
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After suffering for many hours, Cecil the lion was brutally murdered by Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer in 2015. This travesty raised awareness about the brutal, selfish, and ego-driven activity known as trophy hunting, during which animals are killed for the sole purpose of becoming a head hung on a wall or a skin thrown on a floor. The time has come to put an end to this deadly, selfish practice. The Animal Rights Coalition, in partnership with Minnesota Animal Liberation, will protest outside of the Minnesota Safari Club World Hunting Expo at the Minneapolis MarriotT Northwest, 7025 Northland Drive North in Brooklyn Park from noon to 2:30 p.m. Join us to tell expo goers that killing isn’t conservation and animals are not trophies. Signs will be provided. RSVP at the Facebook event. Banner courtesy of Compassion Works International.

The Petland in St. Paul has taken down their sign and closed. We’re happy Petland is now gone from the Twin Cities (first the Shakopee store closed and now St. Paul), and with it their sales of animals from large-scale breeders, but we’re not quite ready to celebrate yet, as the owner has stated that she wants to re-open as an independent pet store. We’ll keep you posted.

Update: Taylor Winum pled guilty to felony animal cruelty on 1/10/18, and his sentencing is scheduled for 3/12/18. Winum severely tortured and beat his ex-girlfriend’s cat named “Marcus” in May 2017. Thanks to everyone who signed our petition “Justice for Marcus the Cat” which was sent to the prosecutor and judge with over 30,000 signatures asking that Winum be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Your voices made a difference. CityPages story on the case.

The Har Mar Pet Store in Roseville has finally closed after years of complaints about the conditions for animals in the store. Last spring, the Roseville city council banned the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores from large commercial breeders (puppy and kitten mills) from whom the store bought many of their animals.

Thanks to everyone who attended ARC protests at the Har Mar Mall, where the pet store was located, and contacted their council members about the proposed ban. You made a difference by helping to bring the issue of pet stores selling animals from puppy and kitten mills to the public’s attention.

See the Fox 9 news story about the Roseville ban, which showed footage from an ARC demonstration at Har Mar Mall. Kudos to HSUS and Animal Folks for their great work on the Roseville ban on the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores. Photo shows puppies that were for sale at the Har Mar store.

Please welcome Ashley Riddle as the new Program Director for ARC! Ashley is well known in the Twin Cities Animal Rights community, having volunteered and attended demonstrations with Animal Rights Coalition, CAA, Minnesota Animal Liberation, Anonymous for the Voiceless, and Direct Action Everywhere. She brings this experience to work for ARC, along with her positive energy and enthusiasm, to support a rapidly growing coalition of people who want to make compassionate choices for animals.

Ashley said, “I’m excited to work with ARC because I appreciate the many different avenues of reaching people, whether it’s through Pay-Per-View, food sampling, protesting, or Cuddle Coats, there is something for everyone. ARC gives people a sense of community and support in a non-judgmental environment.”

Ashley became vegan in 2011 and it sparked her passion for animal rights, the environment, and health. In her free time, she loves to travel, spend time with her foster cats, read, watch comedies and documentaries, and try new adrenaline-pumping activities such as skydiving and flying trapeze. Please join us in welcoming Ashley!