Say No to Trophy Hunting
After suffering for many hours, Cecil the lion was killed by Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer in 2015. This travesty raised awareness about the brutal, selfish, and ego-driven activity known as trophy hunting, where animals are killed for the sole purpose of becoming a head on a wall or a skin on a floor.

ARC recently protested outside the annual Minnesota Safari Club World Hunting Expo at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest to tell expo goers that killing is not conservation, animals are not trophies, and Cecil has not been forgotten. The Safari Club is a pro-hunting organization that spends millions of dollars each year lobbying elected officials to support trophy hunting. This event hosts exhibitors who make their money from the killing of animals and features a live auction that includes trips to kill animals ranging from ducks and moose to black bear and buffalo.

Anjelica Huston Donates Furs to Cuddle Coats
The actress Anjelica Huston has made the decision to support the anti-fur movement and quit wearing fur! At a recent press conference she turned over her fur coats to PETA, who at her request sent half of them to our Cuddle Coats program to support the rehabilitation of orphaned and injured wildlife. So far we've checked in 35 fur coats, with two more large boxes still to unpack. We're glad all this fur will be given back to help animals. 

Meet VegKins Coordinators Ashley Leisner and Lauren Hambrick
VegKins is ARC's family group for vegan children and their parents. VegKins families meet for play groups, field trips, story hours, chicken sanctuary tours, and more, and there's an annual Halloween party and a vegan egg hunt in the spring. Kids have a blast together at VegKins events while their parents have the opportunity to discuss everything from how to explain vegan values to young children to cooking kid-friendly vegan meals; from favorite animal-friendly children’s books to disapproving grandparents; from … well, you get the idea.

Ashley started her vegan journey in August 2011. Her reason for going vegan is and always will be for the animals. She has a 2-year old daughter, Symphony, who is named after a rescued chicken, and who has been vegan from conception. Ashley said, "I can't wait to share my passion for veganism with her. I want her to know that ALL the beings that we share this beautiful earth with matter. I see how much she loves animals  and see this in so many kids. I think it's important to tell them the truth.  I look forward to meeting other families raising vegan kids no matter where you are on your journey!" 

Lauren said, "I was one of the people who thought they loved animals all my life, while eating them. When my son was born and after watching documentaries I became vegan overnight after learning the truth about dairy. (I thought cows just made milk for no reason). I couldn't harm another mother and child, and I also feel responsibility to save the environment so Simon can live a long healthy life on this planet. I love teaching him about why we are vegan and how we can help others become vegan." Lauren loves meeting new mothers and expanding her circle so people can see how children (and mothers and everyone else) can thrive and be happy and have fun.

Like the VegKins page on Facebook (we’re the only “VegKins” on there) to connect with like-minded parents  and find out when and where the next meetup  is. No Facebook? No problem. Email  vegkins@gmail.com and they'll keep you  in the loop.