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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 are:

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

ARC Volunteer meetings are 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.

How to Talk to People About Veganism Workshop
Saturday, February 4, 1:00-4:00pm, Ethique Nouveau, 317 W. 48th St., Minneapolis
How many times have you been asked why you don't drink milk, since "cows aren't killed in the process"? Or, how come you don't eat honey, because "bees aren't animals"? This workshop will help you become a confident advocate for veganism. This is also a training opportunity for anyone interested in being on the ARC Outreach Team for our Pay Per View program. Please RSVP for this event to dallas@animalrightscoalition.com (and also let us know if you're interested in joining the outreach team).

ARC Book Group
Monday, February 6, 7:00pm, St. Paul
Join us for a discussion about "The Emperor's Embrace", by Jeffery Mousiaff Masson, which is about fatherhood in the animal kingdom. Please bring a vegan snack or drink to share. The book group is informal and everyone is welcome. Email dallas@animalrightscoalition.com for location address.

Vegan Community Circle Discussion Group - Topic: Friends
Saturday, February 11, 2:00-4:00pm, Ethique Nouveau, 317 W. 48th St., Minneapolis
We had such an amazing turnout for out last Vegan Community Circle and lots of enthusiasm for this to continue, so here we go! We'll be talking about how veganism impacts our friendships. We'll look at these questions and more, share our stories, and ask for ideas on how to handle any situations you're facing. RSVP at Minneapolis Vegan Meetup.

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Chicken Run Rescue
Cuddle Coats
End Pound Seizure Minnesota
Ethique Nouveau
Forego Foie Gras
HumaneMyth.org
Minneapolis Vegan Meetup
No Pain In My Name
Rhymes With Vegan
Teaching Compassion
Vegan Drinks Twin Cities
Vegan University

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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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Newsletters
Fact Sheets
Recommended Reading


 

 


Oppose the Ag-Gag!
The "ag-gag" bills, S.F. 1118/H.F. 1369, are still alive when the Minnesota Legislature convenes January 24 and may come up for hearings this session.. These bills would make it illegal for someone to enter a farm or animal-producing facility and take videos or photos without the owner's permission. The bills would make even just possessing and distributing these videos or photos a crime. The bills did not pass in 2011 because many people, including the news media, thought they were unconstitutional.

The lead author of the bill in the House, Representative Rod Hamilton from southwestern Minnesota, lists his occupation as "pork producer" and is a former president of the Minnesota Pork Producers. We think that says it all - kind of makes us wonder what Representative Hamilton doesn't want us to see.

Please contact your legislators and let them know that this bill represents the worst kind of pandering to agri-business special interests. Don't know who your legislators are? Find them at District Finder.


Fur Free Friday and Compassionate Caroling!
We had a great start to the fur protest season with Fur Free Friday at Ribnick's the day after Thanksgiving (see the photo of our youngest protester, Grace), and we kept up the momentum with compassionate caroling in December where carolers raised their voices against the cruel fur trade.

Grilling Without Killing at Gopher Tailgating
The ARC volunteer team again showed Gopher football fans that vegan grilling can be delicious as 478 fans tried something new at the first conference game of the season. ARC volunteers passed out samples of Tofurky brats and So Delicious vegan ice cream sandwiches. We were well received and had a great time offering samples and literature to folks as they went off to cheer for the home team. The ARC volunteers especially loved all the comments people made about the food tasting better than they thought it would. It was encouraging to see vegan food get such good reviews from die-hard tailgaters.


No Pain In My Name
A new ARC web site, No Pain In My Name, is now live. The site exposes Marilyn Carroll's hideous experiments at the University of Minnesota, in which she “researches” the effects of drug addiction by training monkeys and rats to self-administer drugs that humans misuse such as cocaine, heroin, and alcohol. The site gives voice to the community this "research" is supposedly benefiting: addicts, recovered addicts, and those who love them. Visit the site and find out what you can do to help end these experiemnts.

Vegan University: Find the Vegan You at Vegan U!
The Animal Rights Coalition is excited to announce a new program designed to promote compassionate eating: Vegan University. Vegan University's mission is to help you go (and stay) vegan.

Vegan University consists of three elements originated by ARC: Help, I'm Going Vegan workshops and discussion groups, Vegan Shopping Tours of local co-ops designed to teach people how to shop vegan, and a Vegan Mentor program. Get all the details here.

ARC Makes a Rap Video (Say What?)
Ever wondered what happens when animal rights activists make a rap video? We think this video is a testament to the fact that we at the Animal Rights Coalition know how to help animals and still maintain a sense of humor. Click here to check out the video - you won't be disappointed! Special thanks to Elliot Diviney of Diviney Pictures for his production help.

Humane Education in Action: Nurturing the Roots of Compassion
Humane educator AmyLeo Barankovich is passionate about creating a better world for all beings. In her ARC-sponsored Teaching Compassion program, based in Minneapolis, she offers classes for grades K-3, and uses stories, music, and art to teach children about compassion. Read an interview with AmyLeo in the Institute for Humane Education newsletter.

Winning Recipes from the Vegan Iron Chef Contest
Check out the winning recipes, Kaylyn's Mexican Style Chili with Nacho "Cheese" Sauce and Justin's Key Lime Cheesecake, and other yummy recipes from ARC's Vegan Iron Chef Contest.

Vegan Iron Chef was sponsored by Wayfare Foods.

 

A Must Read: Green is the New Red: An Insider's Account of a Social Movement Under Siege by Will Potter
Most people are unaware that our government is using anti-terrorism resources to target the animal rights and environmental movements. Here is the story of how everyday people are being prevented from speaking up for what they believe in. Like the Red Scare, this "Green Scare" is about fear and intimidation, and Will Potter outlines the political, legal, and public relations strategies that threaten even acts of nonviolent civil disobedience with the label of "eco-terrorism." Watch the book's trailer here.

Green Is the New Red is especially relevant for Minnesotans given that legislation introduced this past session, Senate File 1118 and House File 1369 would have criminalized videotaping or recording audio inside puppy and kitten mills, research labs, farming operations, or any of a long list of "animal facilities." This bill would also have made it a crime to possess or distribute these images, even if a person had no idea how they were originally obtained. Read Will's Op-Ed piece What is Big Ag Trying to Hide?.

Minnesota's Dirty Little Secret
Most Minnesotans don't know that under a 1949 law, any animal in a publicly funded shelter for more than five days can be claimed by a laboratory for experimentation. This practice is known as pound seizure, and it's Minnesota's dirty little secret. Only two states, Minnesota and Oklahoma, still have laws requiring publicly funded pounds and shelters to turn over animals for experimentation (Utah eliminated mandatory pound seizure in 2010).

It is a betrayal of public trust if an animal shelter sells a stray or abused cat or dog to research. The National Animal Control Association (NACA) opposes pound seizure because such laws "hinder the efforts of progressive animal shelters to promote animal welfare in a collective atmosphere of public trust."

Bills banning pound seizure were introduced in both the Minnesota House and Senate this year. While they did not pass, they received a remendous amount of support and the outlook is good for next session. Visit End Pound Seizure Minnesota to sign the petition and learn more about this issue. Tell your family, friends, and co-workers about the pound seizure law; most Minnesotans aren't aware the law exists and are horrified to find out about it. Print copies of our pound seizure brochure and distribute the brochure at dog parks, at work, in your neighborhood, and to your family and friends.

ARC News Online
Check out Winter 2011:The 30th Anniversary Issue for a great read about ARC's groundbreaking role as one of the first grassroots animal advocacy organizations in the U.S. It's fascinating to see how far we've come - and where we hope to go.

Stop by Ethique Nouveau!
We hope you'll stop by and check out ARC's Ethique Nouveau boutique at 317 W 48th St in Minneapolis, and do a little shopping to help the animals, as all store proceeds 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, with more being added daily:

Some of the hottest ethical fashion this side of the Mississippi - purses and tote bags, laptop bags and briefcases, belts, wallets, ties, teeshirts and hoodies, and gorgeous scarves. Also selected shoe and boot styles.

We have a great selection of unique jewelry, much of it by local artists.

 

Pamper yourself with lip-smacking good lip gloss, eco-friendly nail polish, body lotions and soaps, skin care products, perfume, bubble bath and bath salts, men's shaving and grooming products, and yummy soy candles in all sorts of delicious fragrances.

For your inner chef we have tons of cookbooks in addition to 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. Also buttons, magnets, and bumperstickers - an affordable and colorful way to spread the word about animal liberation.

Your pup will love our vegan dog treats in a variety of flavors. Your dogs (and billions of farmed animals) will thank you. Plus organic catnip and catnip toys to make your kitties' day, and odor neutralizing candles, crystals, and room spray.

And last but not least, those all important snack items: vegan mac n' cheese mix (a gluten-free variety too!), cheese sauce, and queso, organic vegan fair trade chocolates, vegan jerky, and Just Like Honey spread. Especially for kids check out the vegan gummi candy. New food items are being added all the time as we continue to bring you products formerly available only by mail order. Check out this great video about Ethique Nouveau put together by Compassionate Chef, Ciree Linsenman.

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 is 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 giving roughly 80 presentations a year to students ranging from grades six through college...ARC'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 ARC's 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 ARC 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 be dropped off at our office at 317 W. 48th St. in Minneapolis or mailed to us. Any fur is accepted (coats, trims, muffs, and fur-lined gloves). Over 120 furs have been donated and sent to wildlife rehabbers so far! Contact Dallas for more information.

Chill Out with Rhymes with Vegan
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-to-be all the way through families with kids in grade school, but others are always welcome too! Join the VegKins Facebook group to exchange ideas and information online with other parents and help build this community of parents raising compassionate kids.