A guest blog by Chicken Run Rescue (CRR)

April 11. 2024

How we first came in contact with Amma

March 24, 2022 “Good afternoon, We have just obtained two lovely hens that were owner surrendered due to the owner reportedly being unable to keep their coop (and thus the neighboring properties) clear of rodents. Owner stated these hens are 10 years old… Let us know if you think you may be able to find foster for them.” 

We named these two Amma and Nonna- Icelandic and Italian for grandma, respectively. They were nameless where they came from. For once, we had the perfect foster home available. That never happens, but the heavens were smiling on them. We learned later that we actually had a connection to them that was intertwined with the history of our work to help birds victimized by the backyard chicken fad in the Twin Cities. That well-meaning infatuation is part and parcel of a much broader movement to market animal agriculture in the backyard or the corporate farm as kind, ethical and sustainable; seasoned animal advocates call it “The Humane Hoax.”

Continue reading →

April 8, 2024

On Sunday, April 14 from 3-6 pm CAA is hosting a free special Documentary and Social Action Night. The documentary we will view is the award-winning 2022 movie The Smell of Money. The film covers the harms suffered by local communities living alongside corporate “hog farms.” It delves into their legal fight for clean air, clean water, and a life free from the stench of manure.

After the screening, you’ll be able to connect with eight local organizations and chapters working on addressing environmental injustice, animal abuse, corporate power, structural racism, and other aspects related to the themes of the movie. Each organization will table to present information about their ongoing work. There will also be information on accessible steps you can take to get involved. 

Continue reading →

April 1, 2024

Get to know CAA Volunteer Barb Huning. Over the past five years, Barb has  contributed her time and skills to various roles to help CAA events run smoothly. She also selflessly offers her photography skills to help us capture key moments at events. Barb is a dedicated vegan who is attracted to CAA’s work and impact. Her volunteer motivation is to support this work to create a more compassionate world for all animals.

Barb loves photography and volunteers with CAA to capture the energy and happiness at events like Twin Cities Veg Fest and the Thanksliving potluck. She skillfully and passionately documents the joy and excitement of attendees. Through her lens, she showcases the vibrant and diverse vegan community, inspiring others to join us in our mission. 

Continue reading →

March 18, 2024

53578268974_a954bb549f_c

53578268954_9108ac53c3_c

53577081322_b6b96c7267_c

53578389005_4427cfde72_c

53577081422_55134d8c83_c

53577081357_c065bf4e2b_c

53577081347_5201cdeff6_c

53577944656_baca9b8751_c

53577944646_5d5187605c_c

53577944561_4db4aa4f1d_c

53577081397_0f49fb6150_c

53578269039_52e3b8c450_c

53577081452_52fc4cea24_c

53578268964_a954bb549f_c (1)

53578162073_63d0e5442f_c

53577944671_9a8cd6a5a8_c

53577944621_3b75907766_c

53577944731_7632fc2a0d_c

53577081392_a1daeef7e3_c

53578389030_7ecd6b55b2_c

53578269064_e14ab789fc_c

53577944716_b727eb51e1_c

53577081477_ff5fb1bc91_c

53578162093_87f9e9416b_c

53577081387_2c2cd833de_c

This year’s annual banquet was a huge success! Over 78 compassionate individuals attended the semi-formal gathering at the beautifully decorated CSPS Hall. They were treated to wonderful food by Tongue and Cheek, treats made by volunteers, classical guitar music by Maja Radovanlija, and fun games like a cake walk and wine toss. During dinner, CAA volunteers and staff shared inspiring stories about our work for animals and our community. Not to mention that the culmination of the annual auction happened during the banquet. And the best news is that all of this was not only fun but also raised a lot of money for CAA to accomplish our strategic goals this year!

Financial support that matters

Thanks to the amazing support of a generous anonymous donor, every donation made at the event was matched five times! This encouraged new donors to step up and existing supporters to increase their contributions. The cake walk and ring toss games raised a good amount of money too. The annual auction was a highlight, raising over $3,500 to support our work for a more compassionate world. With the gifts, the match, and the auction, we raised a total of over $30,000 to move our work forward! We are truly grateful to everyone who contributed.

Delightful delicacies: A feast for all

Continue reading →

March 18, 2024

As we prepare for Veg Week, a time dedicated to promoting plant-based eating and compassionate living, we are pulling together materials to help folks who will be participating in the Veg Week Pledge. We invite those of you already on a compassionate journey to contribute your knowledge and experiences to help those who are just starting out.

Whether you have tips on where to find delicious plant-based options, advice on eating nutritiously without breaking the bank, or recommendations for inspiring books and movies, your input can provide invaluable support. Let’s come together and create a community of shared wisdom and encouragement.

Continue reading →

A guest blog by Robin Johnson, Founder of Spring Farm Sanctuary

March 7, 2024

Pete, a 10-year-old Hereford Steer, holds a special place in our hearts. He entered our lives seven years ago, originating from St. Cloud, Minnesota. His journey began in a rather distressing manner when compassionate individuals named Bob and Vicki found him tied to a tree during a harsh January winter. Left to die, their intervention saved Pete’s life.

Bob and Vicki brought Pete into their care, along with another steer, nurturing them in their backyard for three years. However, fate took a turn when the steers managed to break free one day, prompting animal control’s involvement. Facing a difficult decision, Bob reached out to us, coincidentally right around the time of our opening and we gladly welcomed Pete and his brother, Scruffy, into our sanctuary in June of 2017.

Initially known as “Skinny Pete” due to his condition, Pete has since flourished into a robust, full-grown steer. His days are filled with simple joys—being petted, basking in the warmth of the sun, and frolicking with his pals, Walter and Norman (sadly, Scruffy passed away a couple of years ago). Though age may have slowed his pace, Pete’s affectionate demeanor remains unchanged, akin to that of a gentle St. Bernard!

February 26, 2024

Our February 10 event with Dr. Michael Greger speaking on his book, “How Not to Age” was a huge success. Check out our blog and slide show for details on this popular event. As we reflect on its success, it’s essential to acknowledge the dedicated planning team who made it all possible: Mark Reis-Henrie, Margaret Telfer, Steve Thompson, and Velma Wagner. 

They joined the team because Dr. Greger’s work and whole foods plant-based eating have made a difference in their lives. They shared how:

Continue reading →

February 26, 2024

53545256377_a78bf6ec49_c

53546126541_e8e638912b_c

53546566560_e1a677d664_c

53545256182_bb06951e1c_c

53545256322_389193acdf_c

53545256427_3efc9e3712_c

53546127491_71a4d9971e_c

53546126721_5a59c76be2_c

53546457334_1800472311_c

53546455884_5cb2870ddb_c

53546456869_dc7fb976c5_c

53546127386_1b185a9f57_c

53545256917_dd41d1f9a2_c

53545256857_93bcef4864_c

53546315643_7fd6261b3f_c

53546566590_3c886d6f3e_c

53546316068_fe95f6386c_c

53546565615_af8473c10f_c

unnamed-2 2

53546127586_9857d67e32_c

53546566860_04f4a2ddf2_c

We recently hosted an event featuring the renowned Dr. Michael Greger, physician, professional speaker, and author of “How Not to Die” and “How Not to Age.” Organized by CAA’s student chapter and a wonderful planning team as part of Dr. Greger’s book tour, the event drew more than 300 participants. The talk proved highly informative and impactful, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

Sierra Carter from H.E.A.L. MPLS kicked off the event, setting the stage for Dr. Greger’s talk. The engaging session, filled with hope and backed by science, was followed by a Q & A with insightful questions from the audience. Attendees also had the chance to explore tables set up by like-minded organizations such as Brightside Produce, Lotus Health, and Plant-Pure Communities. Dr. Greger’s book was available for purchase, and he graciously signed copies and took photos with attendees before and after the event. He was even signing books on the sidewalk right up until he had to head to the airport!

Continue reading →

In the past decade, CAA has experienced remarkable growth in both financial sustainability and the breadth of our support.  This growth has enabled us to expand our reach and the extent of our programming. New people have been influenced by our initiatives and new partnerships formed with diverse communities. These have enabled us to amplify our impact on behalf of nonhuman animals and enrich our community. 

Over the course of these years we’ve gone from hosting 2 to 3 events a month to 5 to 6 events per month. We deliberately welcome people of all dietary backgrounds to our events. Surveys show that among people who eat animal products, the majority leave intending to reduce their animal product intake.

Our financial growth has been nothing short of extraordinary. As seen in the table below, our income has more than quadrupled during this period. We have seen growth in individual donations, and grant support has emerged as a substantial pillar of our funding. This surge in support underscores the growing recognition of the importance of our work and its tangible impact.

Continue reading →