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Ethique Nouveau
The Animal Rights Coalition operates Ethique Nouveau, a vegan boutique, where all purchases help fund our animal advocacy programs, at 317 W. 48th St. in Minneapolis. The ARC office is located at the same address. Hours for both ARC and Ethique Nouveau are:

Wednesday: noon- 8:00pm
Thursday: noon- 6:00pm
Friday: noon- 6:00pm
Saturday: noon- 5:00pm
Sunday-Tuesday: Closed

ARC Volunteer meetings are held every Wednesday from 7-8pm at our office at 317 W. 48th St. in south Minneapolis. Everyone is welcome - you don't need to be an ARC member to attend.

Philosophy of Animal Rights
Wednesdays from June 23 through August 18, 5:30-7:00pm, Ethique Nouveau, 317 W. 48th St., Minneapolis
In this free class offered through the Experimental College of the Twin Cities, participants will read and discuss a wide variety of popular philosophical literature on animal rights. Registration and more info.

Help!... I'm Going Vegan!
Saturday, July 31, 2:00pm, Ethique Nouveau, 317 W. 48th St., Minneapolis
So you're ready to go vegan, but you have some questions or concerns. Dallas Rising and Al Nowatski love to help vegans-to-be discover the joys of vegan living. Dallas is ARC's Program Director, has been doing vegan education for 15 years, and runs the Minneapolis Vegan Meetup group. Al is a father of two (vegan) kids, grew up in a rural setting, and still has close ties and family in the farmland. Together, they'll talk about common issues new vegans face. So don't be shy - come hang out with them and other vegans-to-be and get a jump start down the vegan path. Register for this event through Minneapolis Vegan Meetup.

Paws On Grand
Sunday, August 1, noon-4:00pm, Grand Avenue, St. Paul
Visit ARC's tent at this fun sidewalk sale / dog fest on St. Paul's historic Grand Avenue.

Cupcakes for Their Sake
Saturday, August 7, noon to ?, Ethique Nouveau, 317 W. 48th St., Minneapolis
Back by popular demand, it's Cupcakes For Their Sake, a yummy way to raise funds for the animals. Join us for another Cupcake Saturday, when vegan baker and dessert maker extraordinaire Karen Howey will be selling her delectable (and that's an understatement) cupcakes to benefit ARC's animal advocacy programs. The event runs from noon to as long as they last. Come early because when they're gone, they're gone.

Peaceful Petland Demonstration
Sunday, August 8, 11:30am-1:30pm, St. Paul Petland, 2123 Hudson Rd., St. Paul
Come and join us in drawing attention to the plight of dogs in puppy mills! If you can bring your own sign, please do. Some signs will be available there. We will not be parking in the strip mall lot because that lot is privately owned, so we'll be parking in the Park N Ride lot behind the strip mall and walking to our designated demo area on the public easement in front of the mall.

Petland stores purchase puppies and kittens from dog and cat breeders (known as puppy and kitten mills) throughout the United States. Responsible breeders do not mass produce puppies and kittens or sell to pet stores. Peaceful store protests have proven successful in other states in educating consumers about inhumane breeding and highlighting Petland's involvement.

Your Healthy Self
Thursday, August 12, 6:30pm, Ethique Nouveau, 317 W. 48th St., Minneapolis
A well balanced vegan diet can provide all the essential nutrients, but if you have difficulty finding things like vegan protein drinks or vitamins or simply have questions about how to ensure that you're getting the nutritional support you need to live as healthfully as possible, join us to hear Erica Allenburg. an industry ecpert, answer all your questions about nutrition, vitamins, and anti-aging. Cosmetic and skin care tips will also be available. Free event, but please RSVP to dallas@animalrightscoalition.com

Skin Trade Premiere
Thursday, August 19, 6pm, The Ritz Theater, 345 13th Avenue NE, Minneapolis

Goodies for the Gulf
Saturday, August 28, noon-5:00pm, Ethique Nouveau, 317 W. 48th St., Minneapolis
Bake sale to benefit "Operation Here to Help" of the Humane Society of Louisiana. Help by either baking or buying! If you want to bake, contact Megan at meganduke@gmail.com. Plan to stop by Ethique Nouveau to satisfy your sweet tooth and help the animals affected by the Gulf Coast oil spill at the same time.

Fall Vegan Cooking Classes
Stay tuned for Ethiopian, Indian and Japanese high art cooking classes this fall. Please e-mail Compassionate Chef Ciree Linsenman with your specific interest and input on dates for future classes at cireeciree@gmail.com. 15% of the class proceeds will be donated to ARC's animal advocacy programs.

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ARC on Facebook
Chicken Run Rescue
End Pound Seizure Minnesota
Ethique Nouveau
HumaneMyth.org
Minneapolis Vegan Meetup
Rhymes With Vegan
Teaching Compassion
Vegan Drinks Twin Cities

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If an animal is in immediate danger, call 911. Read this section for more information.

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If you need to find a new home for your companion animal, read the information in this section.

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What's Your Skin Worth?
Every year billions of animals are killed for the skin off their backs for the sake of human vanity. Eighty-five percent of the fur industry’s skins come from animals living captive in fur factory farms. As with all intensive-confinement animal farms, the methods used in fur farms are designed to maximize profits, always at the expense of the animals. Animals on fur farms languish in unbearably small, filthy cages, living with fear, stress, disease, parasites, and other physical and psychological horrors before they are murdered, often in unimaginably cruel ways, all for the sake of an unnecessary global industry that makes billions of dollars annually.

On Thursday, August 19 at 6 pm, please join us as we invite members of the local fashion and retail world to the Ritz Theater to learn about emerging trends in fashion. The evening will begin with hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction followed by the Minneapolis premiere of Skin Trade, the most provocative documentary about fur production to date. Afterward the film's director, Shannon Keith, will host a Q&A session and social hour. Tickets are free, but please RSVP here. The Ritz Theater is located at 345 13th Avenue NE in Minneapolis.

We hope that by exposing the fur industry for what it is to the movers and shakers of the local fashion scene, they will be moved to enter into a dialogue about discontinuing using and selling fur. ARC would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of this important event: Everyday People, Fabulous Furs, LUSH, Vaute Couture, and VegNews.

Eat Fresh, Eat Local!
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Basically, a farmer offers "shares" to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Consumers purchase a share and in return regularly receive ultra-fresh seasonal produce.

ARC is partnering with Featherstone Farm to be a drop site for their winter CSA. Featherstone Farm has been in operation for over 12 years and grows over 50 varieties of organic produce (they do not sell animal products). Their winter CSA is $320. Boxes are delivered every other week from November through February and are large enough to feed a family of four for two weeks. If you're interested in signing up for the winter CSA, email Dallas at dallas@animalrightscoalition.com.

You Said No to Puppy and Kitten Mills!
Thanks to the 34 people who came out to say “NO!” to puppy and kitten mills by joining our July demonstration outside Petland in Shakopee. You asked shoppers to boycott Petland until they stop supporting kitten and puppy mills. In other states similar peaceful store protests have been successful in educating consumers about cruel breeding practices and Petland’s involvement in continuing the suffering of animals in mass breeding mills. The more people, the more the message gets out to consumers, and the stronger the message to Petland we’re not going to put up with it.

Want to continue to educate others and learn more? Make sure to tune in to a rerun of the Animal Planet investigation of Petland and their use of puppy mill dogs.

Thanks Living Green Expo Volunteers!
Thanks to all the volunteers who staffed ARC's booth at the Living Green Expo. We passed out a huge amount of information about how transitioning to a plant-based diet is one of the single most helpful things a person can do to minimize land, energy, and water usage and promote sustainability, and we had a lot of great conversations with people who were really interested in learning more about how to make this transition.

World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week Demonstration at the U of M
Over 20 million animals suffer in U.S. laboratories every year. These innocent victims are subjected to addictive drugs, caustic chemicals, ionizing radiation, chemical and biological weapons, electric shock, deprivation of food and water, psychological torture, and many other horrors. World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week is the time when activists come together to make a difference for these animals.

On Sunday, April 18 ARC brought attention to the suffering of thosands of animals in University of Minnesota laboratories by holding a demonstration outside of Moos Tower. Participants carried signs listing the numbers of various species of animals used in one year at the U and wore masks representing each species.

Read about the U of M's violations of federal care standards for animals in their laboratories including failing to properly administer pain-relieving medicine, failing to provide adequate veterinary care, and failing to properly euthanize animals. The improperly euthanized animals remained alive, but were discarded as if they were dead.

Ethique Nouveau Now Open!
The Animal Rights Coalition's Ethique Nouveau store is now open at 317 W. 48th St. in south Minneapolis. We hope you'll come down, check us out, and take time to chat with Dallas Rising, ARC Program Director, about volunteer opportunities and ways you can get involved to help animals. While you're there, do a little shopping and help the animals at the same time, as all store profits support our animal advocacy programs.

Ethique Nouveau is all about compassion and kindness towards animals. We carry lots of animal-friendly items - and many product lines you won't find anywhere else in the Twin Cities - all vegan (free of animal products / not tested on animals) and kind to both humans and animals. Here's just a sampling of what's in stock, with more being added daily:

Some of the hottest ethical fashion this side of the Mississippi - purses and tote bags, laptop bags and briefcases, men's and women's belts and buckles, men's and women's wallets, iPod cases, ties, teeshirts and hoodies, gorgeous scarves, and and a great selection of jewelry by local vegan artists.

Tons of cookbooks, the largest selection of humane children's books in the area, and some of the best picks for activist strategy, animal liberation philosophy, and veg parenting available along with the latest DVDs on issues you're concerned about.

Many varieties of vegan dog treats - you asked for them, you got them. Your dogs (and billions of farmed animals) will thank you. Plus organic catnip and catnip toys to make your kitties' day, companion animal gear and grooming products, and odor neutralizing candles and room spray.

Everything to make a veg kid happy - colorful wooden fair trade animal mobiles, puzzles, and toys, kid's backpacks, adorable infant, toddler, and youth veg message wear, Isabooties vegan eco-friendly shoes for funky lil' baby feet, and cruelty-free baby care products.

Lip-smacking good lip gloss, eco-friendly water-based nail polish, body lotions, mists, body lathers and soaps, skin care products, vegan perfume in many different scents, Sore Muscle, Chill Out, and Ahhh-Choo bath salts, pedicure pods, men's grooming products, and even Glyde vegan condoms.

Yummy soy candles in all sorts of delicious fragrances.

Buttons, magnets, and bumperstickers - an affordable and colorful way to spread the word about animal liberation

Ban Pound Seizure gear - dog tees, bandanas, ID tags - spread the word and protect your furry family members from researchers.

And last but not least, those all important snack items: vegan mac n' cheese mix (including a gluten-free variety), organic vegan fair trade chocolates, vegan jerky, Just Like Honey spread, rice milk chocolate bars (the closest thing to vegan milk chocolate), and vegan nacho "cheese" dip. Especially for kids check out the vegan jelly beans and several varieties of gummi candy. New food items are being added all the time as we continue to bring you products formerly available only via mail order. Check out this great video about Ethique Nouveau put together by Compassionate Chef, Ciree Linsenman.

Direct Care is Direct Action!
As interest in "urban farming" spreads, many cities are considering letting residents keep backyard flocks of chickens. This can present opportunities for people to learn about chickens and other domestic fowl, but also presents challenges regarding the quality of their care and will likely lead to a huge increase in abandoned birds. Minneapolis currently tolerates wanton breeding, swapping, and backyard slaughter, all of which are being actively promoted by local urban farming enthusiasts. ARC and Chicken Run Rescue (CRR) encourage animal advocates to take an active role in advocating for chickens and other domestic fowl as this trend continues (view CRR's brochure here for more information). Here's what you can do:

• Sign up as a foster or volunteer with CRR to help care for chickens, consider adopting birds who need homes, and apply for chicken permits.
• Become involved in local policy development and standards of care. Lobby for education requirements for permit applicants. Work to ensure that backyard slaughter is prohibited in your city.
• Advocate for roosters - 50% of hatched chicks are roosters and they are killed outright, abandoned, or sold to slaughter. Oppose limits and bans on roosters.
  

Protect Your Companion Animal from Being Used as a Research Tool
Minnesota's pound seizure law requires that publicly funded pounds and shelters turn over unclaimed animals for experimentation after a five-day holding period if requested by a research facility. MN Statute 35.71 states "However, if a tag affixed to the animal or a statement by the animal's owner after the animal's seizure specifies that the animal may not be used for research, the animal must not be made available to any institution..." Stop by ARC today and purchase a tag so your companion animal s protected should he or she ever be lost.

Challenging the Myth of Humane Animal Products
As the media pay increased attention to the abuses occurring at large-scale animal farming operations, consumers are seeking alternatives. Labels such as “Cage Free,” “Free Range,” “Humanely Certified,” and “Grass Fed” suggest that those willing to pay a higher price can enjoy eggs, dairy, and meat from small-scale “humane” farms that treat animals with compassion and respect. But is the public being misled? ARC's "Humane Farming Myth" brochure answers this question and is a great resource to share with family and friends. Preview the brochure and then contact ARC for copies to share with others. Here's what Shannon Kimball of Bridges of Respect had to say about the brochure: "I'm a humane educator in Minneapolis giving roughly 80 presentations a year to students ranging from grades six through college...The Animal Rights Coalition's brochure, "The Humane Farming Myth", is just what I was looking for! Finally, there is a comprehensible piece of literature to encompass a broader insight: That regardless of the label on the package animals are harmed when they are used for food. I want to make sure each student receives at least one."

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Pound seizure is the sale of cats and dogs from a pound or shelter to research labs. Only two states --Minnesota and Oklahoma, still have laws requiring that publicly funded pounds and shelters turn over unclaimed animals for experimentation. (On 3/27/10 Utah eliminated mandatory pound seizure.) The ultimate fate of these former companion animals is death, but before they die, they may suffer greatly. Visit End Pound Seizure Minnesota to sign the petition and find out more.

Petting zoos allow children to feed, ride, or have their pictures taken with animals -- and often bring home much more than their parents bargained for as petting zoos are notorious for infecting children with potentially lethal bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella. Click here for a fact sheet with more details.

Hearing a lot about violence in schools? You can do something to help: Cut out dissection! Every year, millions of animals are killed and shipped off to schools, where young people are given scalpels and told to slice up the animals’ bodies. What does dissection teach? Not much, except that it’s ok to chop up animals. Students, parents, and teachers can contact ARC for advice on how to object to dissection at their school.

Donate Furs to the Cuddle Coats Program
Tax-deductible for you, donated furs offer comfort and aid orphaned, injured, and abused wild animals in their recovery. This program is in partnership with Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release, the Wildcat Sanctuary, and Wildcare Wildlife Rehabilitation. Furs can either be dropped off at our office at 317 W. 48th St. in south Minneapolis or mailed to us. Any fur is accepted (coats, trims, muffs, and fur-lined gloves). Over 72 furs have been donated so far! Contact Dallas for more information.

Chill Out with the Latest Rhymes with Vegan Episode
Chill out and check out Rhymes With Vegan! This wildly popular online vegan cooking show is sponsored by ARC and has something for everyone, whether you're new to vegan cooking or an old hand.

Calling All Tofu Tots for VegKins Meetups!
ARC's VegKins is a group for parents raising vegetarian and vegan children. The group meets once a month (or more). Kids play with other veggie kids while parents hang out and talk about grown-up stuff. The group is currently made up of parents with children up to five years old, but others are always welcome! Join the VegKins Facebook group to exchange ideas and information online with other parents and help build this community of parents raising compassionate kids.