Compassionate Action for Animals
Encyclopedia
Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) is a Minneapolis-based animal advocacy non-profit focused on raising awareness on factory farming
and promoting vegetarianism
.
. These principles of strategic nonviolence are reflected in CAA's current core values.
The name Compassionate Action for Animals was adopted in May 1998. In June 1999, CAA became a 501(c)3 non-profit after merging with the Animal Liberation League, another local animal rights organization with a very similar approach and philosophy.
In 1999, CAA began working on its Ban Battery Cages campaign, which culminated in the open rescue
of over ten egg-laying hens from a battery cage facility, the first such rescue in the US . CAA's investigation and rescue campaign was based on a similar campaign which was first done by Animal Liberation Victoria
in Australia.
CAA is active as a student group at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
campus, as well as in the larger Twin Cities area. Their focus is on outreach, education, and community-building events.
Factory farming
Factory farming is a term referring to the process of raising livestock in confinement at high stocking density, where a farm operates as a factory — a practice typical in industrial farming by agribusinesses. The main products of this industry are meat, milk and eggs for human consumption...
and promoting vegetarianism
Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism encompasses the practice of following plant-based diets , with or without the inclusion of dairy products or eggs, and with the exclusion of meat...
.
History
CAA was formed in early 1998 in order to pursue "strategic nonviolence" as a path towards animal rights. This is a strategy based on the principles of nonviolent action defined by Gene SharpGene Sharp
Gene Sharp is Professor Emeritus of political science at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He is known for his extensive writings on nonviolent struggle, which have influenced numerous anti-government resistance movements around the world.-Biography:Sharp was born in Ohio, the son of an...
. These principles of strategic nonviolence are reflected in CAA's current core values.
The name Compassionate Action for Animals was adopted in May 1998. In June 1999, CAA became a 501(c)3 non-profit after merging with the Animal Liberation League, another local animal rights organization with a very similar approach and philosophy.
In 1999, CAA began working on its Ban Battery Cages campaign, which culminated in the open rescue
Open rescue
Open rescue is a term for a form of direct action practiced by certain animal rights and animal welfare activists. The aim of open rescue is to rescue animals in pain and suffering, generally and to give these animals veterinary treatment and humane living conditions while also documenting the...
of over ten egg-laying hens from a battery cage facility, the first such rescue in the US . CAA's investigation and rescue campaign was based on a similar campaign which was first done by Animal Liberation Victoria
Animal Liberation Victoria
Animal Liberation Victoria Inc. is the Victorian branch of Australian animal rights movement Animal Liberation operating throughout several areas in Australia. Founded in 1978 by Patty Mark, ALV is located in Melbourne and is recognised as Victoria's most powerful animal rights organisation...
in Australia.
CAA is active as a student group at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
campus, as well as in the larger Twin Cities area. Their focus is on outreach, education, and community-building events.
Activities and Campaigns
- Outreach through tabling, leafleting, postering, cable shows, literature stands, writing letters and articles for publications, and more.
- Social events such as potlucks, movies, game nights, and dine-outs.
- Food giveaways to show how delicious vegetarian and vegan food is.
- Speakers who address animal, ethical, and health issues
- Working with community restaurants and university cafeterias to make vegetarian and vegan dining more convenient and available