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Volunteer Opportunity: Get Animals on TV!

Gil — 2007-12-19T19:00:56Z

Reach thousands of local television viewers with the message of compassion by helping CAA air videos on cable! Getting educational videos played on public access cable is a great way to spread awareness about animal cruelty—at no cost and with very little time commitment.

Although CAA has been airing VegVideo and Undercover TV in Minneapolis for a couple of years now, we need your help to bring these shows to thousands more in the greater Twin Cities area. If you or someone you know lives in a city or suburb outside of Minneapolis and would like more details, please contact Loki at loki@exploreveg.org.

Scrambling for a Valentine's Gift? Try Fast and Furless

Gil — 2007-02-14T18:37:32Z

Scrambling to get your Valentine's a gift? Look no further than the the Twin Cities' own, all-vegan boutique Fast and Furless. For a limited time only, Fast and Furless is carrying mouthwatering chocolate assortments in pretty heart boxes from Belgium. Be forewarned, though: the Belgians don't make chocolate halfheartedly. Only the choicest ingredients--premium dark chocolate, select nuts, fine creams, superb liqueurs--are good enough for their national specialty.

Besides this decadent chocolate, check out the selection of organic Valentine body care gift packs, spicy jerkies, ricemellow crème for your soy ice cream banana splits, and bee-free honey!

Location: Fast and Furless Skinless Fashion, 294 Snelling Ave S, St. Paul (one mile south of the Snelling Ave exit on I-94)

Support CAA, Get a Free Book!

Gil — 2007-01-10T17:15:09Z

Erik Marcus has generously donated copies of his acclaimed book

Subject: Free Book Offer, One Millionth Leaflet, Four New Veg R

Meat Market: Animals, Ethics, and Money to CAA for the first seven people to sign up for an online recurring donation! Recurring donations are a great way to to support CAA hassle-free, providing the organization with a regular, dependable source of income. You can choose to donate a little bit monthly, every three months, or every year—whatever level of contribution you go with will be put to great use!

Meat Market is a captivating and well-researched book on the debate over animal agriculture. Eloquently exploring the cruelties farm animals face, as well as providing an assessment on the progress and downfalls of the animal-protection movement, Marcus provides an effective game plan for dismantlement of the industry.

Be one of the first seven people to sign up for an online recurring donation today and we will send you a book and membership card immediately!

Support CAA on MySpace and Facebook!

Gil — 2007-10-17T21:22:28Z

As the days get shorter and the nights longer, you may find yourself cooped up indoors, surfing the web.

Show your support for CAA via the popular social networking website MySpace by adding yourself as a friend to the CAA profile. If you’e on Facebook, join the "Global" Compassionate Action for Animals group and invite your friends as well. You can even befriend CAA's Facebook character here. This is a great way to promote awareness of animal cruelty and vegetarianism to your online friends, to encourage allies to join, and to meet others with similar interests.

Campaign Victory: Hamline Phases Out Battery Eggs

Gil — 2007-10-17T21:48:37Z

After working with volunteers of Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA), St. Paul-based Hamline University has implemented a cage-free egg policy for all of the liquid eggs—the majority of the eggs it uses for its students.

CAA volunteer and senior at Hamline, Amy O'Malley states "The Hamline community cares deeply about social responsibility, which is why we're proud of our dining services' decision to remove support for the cruel practice of confining hens in battery cages.”

Read the full press release on the switch here.

Learn more about CAA's No Battery Eggs campaign here.

MN College Leafleting Week: A Record-Breaking Success!

Gil — 2007-11-07T16:39:42Z

Last spring’s launch of CAA’s Minnesota College Leafleting Day ended up being a great success.

And it’s that success that inspired an even bigger, better statewide event this past October—not Leafleting Day, but Leafleting Week. By expanding this outreach event to a full week, we were better able to accommodate the schedules of our busy activists, resulting in more leaflets distributed at more colleges around Minnesota.

From Monday, Oct. 22 through Friday, Oct. 26 (and a few days afterward), a total of 55 activists leafleted at 26 colleges and 2 high schools around the state, for a grand total of 11,693 leaflets! This time around we were able to cover 10 more schools—some of which had never before been leafleted—and distribute over 2,000 more leaflets!

For a full listing of the schools that we leafleted see below.

A few highlights from the week:

Countless students absorbed in reading the leaflet shortly after receiving it

A number of students cited the pamphlet as their impetus for going veg

Many students enthusiastically telling us that they were already vegan or vegetarian

Indeed, as long as consumers remain unaware of the realities of modern animal production, cruel practices will continue to go unquestioned. Leafleting empowers the recipients with the information necessary to making informed and compassionate food choices.

We hope you’re inspired to leaflet with us at several other colleges and evening concerts that attract receptive teenagers and young adults. Please send us an e-mail at info@ExploreVeg.org to get involved with our fun and effective campaign.

Also consider supporting CAA's outreach efforts by making a financial contribution here.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Coon Rapids

Anoka-Ramsey High School, Anoka

Augsburg College, Minneapolis

Central Lakes College, Brainerd

Century College, White Bear Lake

College of St. Catherine, St. Paul

Concordia University, St. Paul

Dunwoody College of Technology, Minneapolis

Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter

Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie

Macalester College, St. Paul

Metropolitan State University, St. Paul

Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis

Minneapolis Technical and Community College, Minneapolis

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Minnesota State University, Moorhead

Normandale Community College, Bloomington

Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall

St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud

St. Louis Park High School, St. Louis Park

St. Mary's University of Minnesota, Winona

St. Paul Technical and Community College, St. Paul

University of Minnesota, Duluth

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

University of Minnesota, St. Paul

University of St. Thomas, St. Paul

William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul

Winona State University, Winona

Summer 2007 Print Newsletter Now Online!

Gil — 2007-08-29T15:52:45Z

Get a glimpse of what Compassionate Action for Animals volunteers and your donations have been accomplishing over the past few months...

...With the online edition of our Summer 2007 Highlights newsletter! In this newsletter you’ll find exciting reviews of our popular events and recent campaigns, that have made a difference in the lives of thousands of individuals. There's even an exclusive interview with Zoe Weil, president of the International Institute for Humane Education. Thanks to all the hard-working volunteers and generous supporters this past season, CAA has been able to keep the momentum going strong for positive social change and awareness for animals!

Read the full newsletter here.

Volunteer of the Month: Casey Nielson

Gil — 2007-12-05T22:08:02Z

Coming to Minneapolis from a small town in southern Minnesota was a big change for Casey Nielson in many regards.

She first went vegetarian after watching the infamous “Meet Your Meat” video about four years ago, but she didn't find much support in her community. Upon starting college at the University of Minnesota, however, Casey was thrilled to learn about Compassionate Action for Animals at the Fall New Volunteer Meeting.

Casey's involvement with CAA has progressed from helping to staff our recent Vegan Food Showcase and various Veg Week events, to a regular office assistant position. She now comes to the office weekly to work on various research projects, prepare the agenda for CAA planning meetings, fill online orders for Vegetarian Starter Kits, and make changes to the website.

Her dedication to advocating on behalf of animals is inspired by her passion for them. “I love animals and realize that it isn't right to eat them. And why should we? They're not ours to use and exploit,” she says. CAA has been a good vehicle for Casey's advocacy efforts “I like being able to meet like-minded people and feel like I'm making a difference.”

Get involved with CAA and become a volunteer today—just fill out our online application.

Hundreds Enjoy a Turkey-Free Feast!

dave — 2006-11-24T15:25:44Z

CAA's Fourth Annual Twin Cities Turkey-Free Thanksgiving Potluck was a rousing success! Over two hundred people from all walks of life came together to enjoy each other's company while sharing delicious vegetarian holiday foods. As we go home for the holidays, let's be thankful for the great veg community we all have, and for all the cruelty-free foods we can enjoy together.

Read the Minnesota Daily's positive front-page story on the feast!

Action Alert: Don't Let Congress Undo Animal Laws

Gil — 2007-06-13T14:42:25Z

When citizens and their state legislatures decide that a practice is so inhumane that it must not occur within their state’s borders, the federal government shouldn’t be able to trump the will of the people. Yet that’s exactly what legislation now under consideration would do.

A small provision—Section 123—tucked into the pending Farm Bill in the U.S. House of Representatives would prohibit states and localities from banning activities they deem to be contrary to public health, safety and morals. Section 123 would undo bans on horse slaughter, intensive confinement of pigs and calves raised for veal, force-feeding of ducks and geese to make foie gras, and other important laws. It’s an outrageous power grab that would undermine the democratic process and deny citizens the right to pass state or local laws on issues of humane treatment or food safety

Take Action: Please make brief, polite phone calls to your two U.S. Senators and one U.S. Representative and urge them to oppose Section 123 of the House Farm Bill.

Find contact information for your senators and representatives, and learn more about this issue.

Fall 2006 Highlights - Now Online!

Gil — 2007-07-06T16:29:56Z

Get a glimpse of what Compassionate Action for Animals volunteers have been accomplishing over the past few months, with the online edition of Fall 2006 Highlights!

In this newsletter you will read exciting success stories and reviews of our popular events and recent campaigns, that have made a difference in the lives of thousands of individuals. Thanks to all the hard working volunteers and generous supporters, CAA has been able to keep the momentum going strong for positive social change and awareness for animals!

"Politics of the Plate" Presentation by Dr. Michael W. Fox

dave — 2007-03-28T18:19:38Z

On Thursday, March 29, Dr. Michael W. Fox will speak on The Politics of the Plate and the Power of the Fork--Eating with Conscience & the Bioethics of Food, followed by a book signing after the presentation. This presentation will examine our relationship with animals raised for food and provide a vision of a more compassionate world.

Dr. Fox is a veterinarian, author, and the well-known writer of the syndicated Animal Doctor column in the Star Tribune. Fox also served as the former vice president of the Humane Society of the United States.

Time: Thursday, March 29, 7 p.m.
Location: Normandale College, Fine Arts Building, Auditorium F-1265, Bloomington, MN

Co-sponsored by Animal Rights Coalition, Compassionate Action for Animals, EarthSave Twin Cities, and Fast and Furless Vegan Boutique.

Featured Restaurant: Ecopolitan

Gil — 2007-04-11T19:55:05Z

By Rebecca Ford

The Ecopolitan restaurant is one of Minneapolis's best-kept secrets, offering the freshest flavors that have ever crossed your palate. The only all-vegan restaurant in the Twin Cities, it serves 100% raw, organic food. There is also a great juice bar, where you can get delicious smoothies and juices, and the largest organic, no-sulfite-added vegan wine list in town.

Recommended items include the Lasagna, which consists of vegan cashew cheese and fresh tomato-basil marinara sauce layered with spinach, portobello mushrooms, and thin slices of zucchini, and The Flaxseed Tostadas, which are flax tostada shells topped with spicy sprouted-lentil taco meat, marinated mushrooms, onions, black olives, cashew sour cream, and hot sauce and served with guacamole and salsa. Also check out Ecopolitan's Cashew Cheese Rolls and the new spicy "Not-cho" appetizer!

Sure to please appetites of all dietary persuasions, Ecopolitan is a great place to do some culinary activism or just enjoy a nice night out to dinner. Don't forget to save room for dessert!

Campaign Victory: The Bad Waitress Switches to Cage-Free Eggs

Gil — 2008-01-17T17:56:11Z

After working with Compassionate Action for Animals, the popular restaurant The Bad Waitress has officially made a switch to using exclusively cage-free eggs this past December.

The retro-themed restaurant wedged between Uptown and Downtown Minneapolis also runs the nearby, hip Spy House Coffee Shop. The Bad Waitress has implemented an exclusive organic, cage-free policy for all its eggs (including those used in baked goods at the Spy House Coffee Shop), which accounts for approximately 163,800 eggs per year.

"The Bad Waitress' decision to end our use of eggs from caged hens is in line with our commitment to stay on top of important social responsibility issues," said David Wiedmeyer, kitchen manager. "Our new cage-free egg policy is better for our customers and better for hens."

While cage-free hens do not live cruelty-free lives, may not be able to go outside, and are guaranteed to end up in the slaughter line; they are able to walk, spread their wings, stand on solid ground, and lay their eggs in nests—all instinctive behaviors permanently denied to hens confined in battery cages.

Learn more about our No Battery Eggs campaign and send us an e-mail at info@ExploreVeg.org to get involved!

Volunteer for Minnesota Fall College Leafleting Week!

Gil — 2007-10-18T17:26:09Z

Join CAA between Monday, October 22 and Friday, October 26 for a full week of leafleting at various colleges all across Minnesota!

We've extended our original College Leafleting Day to an entire week in an effort to make the event accessible to more activists and ramp up our distribution rate. This is a great opportunity to alert young adults about the cruelties that animals endure in factory farms and let them know about positive alternatives. Please join us as a leafleter, an on-site coordinator, or driver. This will be CAA's biggest event this season, and many are even taking the day off from work or school to help.

While leafleters will volunteer anywhere from an hour to several hours distributing the educational pamphlets, on-site coordinators will pick a college to attend for the whole day, helping other volunteers at that specific college with leaflets and refreshments. In order to make College Leafleting Week a success, CAA also needs drivers to help transport volunteers to their college of choice. Later in the evening, CAA plans to celebrate with food and great prizes for anyone involved in the day!

The following is a listing of cities we’re hoping to have a presence in:

Brainerd
Duluth
Mankato
Marshall
Minneapolis (and surrounding area)
Morris
Northfield
Rochester
St. Cloud
St. Paul (and surrounding area)
Winona

If you’re interested in helping with any aspect of Minnesota College Leafleting Week or have any questions, please send an email to Ben at ben@ExploreVeg.org. Also include names of any specific Minnesota colleges where you'd like to volunteer.

Time: Monday, October 22 through Friday, October 26, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Various colleges and universities across the Twin Cities and Minnesota