How To Get Involved

Are you interested in learning about the Animal Rights Coalition and what we do? Do you want to find out how to get involved and help animals in our community?

Visit ARC’s Volunteer Network

Go through the new volunteer checklist:

Then join us for the ARC Volunteer meetings held on the third Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:00pm at our combination office and vegan store, Ethique Nouveau, located at 317 W 48th St in south Minneapolis. At these meetings we’ll discuss current issues and plan upcoming projects. New in town, new to the movement, new to volunteering? Don’t worry, you’ll be in good hands! We’ll be happy to help you find your niche. If you’re not able to attend a meeting, simply fill out the volunteer form and we’ll get in touch with you about how you can get involved in a way and at a time that works for you. We want everyone who wants to help animals to have the opportunity to work with us, so volunteers who can’t make the meetings are still very much a part of our volunteer team.

You don’t have to be an ARC member to attend these meetings (and you don’t have to be a vegetarian or vegan either!). You will be welcomed no matter where you are in your journey toward living a more compassionate life.
Please join us. We’d like to get to know you, and the animals need your help!

Getting the message out about puppy mills at a Petland demonstration

Doing outreach at the Living Green Expo

Marching with Ban Pound Seizure banners in the Pride Parade

Tabling at First Avenue at a Jayhawks concert

Setting up the ARC tent and getting ready for a big crowd at Paws on Grand

Educating diners about Foie Gras

Passing out vegan bratwurst samples at one of the Gopher tailgating events

One of our smallest volunteers charming passersby at a fur demonstration

Here’s What Our Volunteers Are Saying About ARCVolunteer Video

“I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for animals. I’ve enjoyed encountering animals and being able to help them, but since I started working with the Animal Rights Coalition, I’ve been able to help them on a much larger scale. There are so many different opportunities and events so that you can volunteer as much as you like around your schedule! I have met some amazing people, and the sense of purpose I feel at ARC is invaluable. It has been one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done!”
—Kaylyn, administrative assistant/model, volunteer for 2 years

“I’ve never been much of a joiner, so I was hesitant to start volunteering for the Animal Rights Coalition. I wasn’t sure if I’d fit in, but they found a place for me. From painting the back stairwell at Ethique Nouveau, to helping out with their VegKins and Vegan University programs, I’ve been able to find rewarding volunteer opportunities and a sense of belonging in an organization that’s full of people who are used to swimming against the current.”
—Al, stay at home dad, volunteer for 4 years

“I was a fairly new vegan; my only vegan friends were faceless internet message board acquaintances, my only access to gourmet vegan food or vegan baked goods was my own kitchen and vegan cooking know-how (still in its infancy), and I didn’t know the first thing about direct action, leafleting, advocacy, or mentoring. I showed up alone at an ARC-sponsored Vegan Drinks event and was accepted like I was family. I’ve never stuck with anything this long, and I have ARC to thank for it. Volunteering with ARC reminds me how important this work is. I go to meetings and events not only to speak out, but to get “veganed-up,” as it were. Every day volunteering for ARC is like a big vegan pep rally. Plus, there’s always delicious food to be shared, and who doesn’t love that?”
—Megan, retail manager, volunteer for 5 years

“I felt a growing call to get active for animals, so I decided to attend one of the Animal Rights Coalition’s Wednesday meetings, and I have been a volunteer since. The group provides me with a sense of belonging and work so meaningful that it influenced me to change career paths to advocate for animals and the environment.”
—Nick, canvasser, volunteer for 1 ½ years

“Being from a small town whose main employer is a slaughterhouse, I spent years being concerned about what was going on just down the road. Hearing semi-trucks full of hogs squealing on the interstate as they were going to slaughter made me sick to my stomach, but I figured what could I do that would make a difference? Now that I’m a volunteer with Animal Rights Coalition, I know I’m making a difference by volunteering to do what I can to bring the horror of animal cruelty to people’s awareness. I love making others aware of things they haven’t thought about before; by thinking about the plight of animals, we can become proactive in doing something about it too!”
—Brenda, homemaker, volunteer for 2 years

“Once I had children, I knew it would be helpful for us to meet with other vegan/vegetarian families. Volunteering to organize for the Vegkins family group was exactly what was needed. We’ve built a supportive community to perpetuate our compassionate lifestyle.”
—Celeste, teaching assistant for early childhood education, volunteer for 4 years

“For years I cared about animals but felt unsure as to how I could really help them. Volunteering at the Animal Rights Coalition has afforded me an opportunity to get active for animals. In the process, I feel that I have become a more compassionate person and more engaged with the world.”
—Kim, teacher, volunteer for 2 ½ years

“I found out about veal in sixth grade and haven’t eaten it since, but I didn’t know about all of the other horrors of animal agriculture. I’ve volunteered with ARC since 2006, and now I know too much to ever choose anything but a vegan lifestyle. My goal is to share what I’ve learned so that everyone has the knowledge to make compassionate life choices.”
—Lindy, insurance representative, volunteer for 7 years