about > events

Animal Folks makes presentations about animal cruelty issues at various local and national conferences and also hosts educational booths at local events. A few examples are below.

Events & Presentations

• 2023: Furassic Park hosted by Tri-County Humane Society

On September 9, 2023, Animal Folks had a booth at Furassic Park at Wilson Park in St. Cloud. This event was a "walk for companion animals" hosted by the Tri-County Humane Society. A beautiful day, the event was filled with people and their companion animals. Our booth promoted the Companion Animal Board and generated 85 signatures in support. It was wonderful to see all the people and meet lots of dogs.

• 2023: Minnesota State Fair

Animal Folks had a booth at the Minnesota State Fair from August 24 - September 4, 2023 in the Education Building. This is our second year at the State Fair. We met so many amazing people from across Minnesota who support animal protection - and signed in specific support of the Office of Animal Protection bill (mnoap.org). We had fun giveaways such as BE KIND TO ANIMALS buttons, BE KIND window decals, and plenty of flyers about animal law and the protection of animals.

• 2023: Minnesota Animal Welfare Conference

On May 25th, the Tri-County Humane Society hosted the 20th annual Minnesota Animal Welfare Conference. Animal Folks was pleased to have a booth at this conference which attracted hundreds of animal welfare advocates and industry professionals.

• 2021: Mn Continuing Legal Education (CLE) conference

On August 24, 2021, Animal Folks made a presentation at the Minnesota Continuing Legal Education conference. Attended by legal professionals, the presentation was coordinated by Animal Folks and focused on the animal cruelty chapter added to the MN Judges Criminal Benchbook, published by MN CLE. Animal Folks convened a team of four experts to write the chapter; the four authors were the speakers.

• 2021: Animal Law Section, MN State Bar Association

Animal Folks made an online presentation about the Animal Cruelty Chapter for the MN Judges Benchbook on October 26, 2021 to the Animal Law Section of the MN State Bar Association.

• 2020: OJP Conference on Crime and Victimization

Animal Folks presented a webinar in 2020, hosted by the MN Office of Justice Programs (OJP), on 'The Link': the connection between animal abuse and child maltreatment, domestic violence, and elder abuse. Attendees include victim advocates, social service workers, mental health professionals, and other professions. This presentation, along with educational tools, was also given in person at the OJP Conference in 2019 and 2018.

• 2019: COGI Panel Discussion on Data Privacy Issues
The MN Coalition on Government Information (COGI) hosted a panel discussion of data privacy issues and access to information as it relates to the Board of Animal Health (BAH) and their denials of data requests. Ann Olson, Executive Director of Animal Folks, was invited to participate on the panel due to our data requests and denials by the BAH.  

• 2018: The National Link Coalition annual conference

Animal Folks spoke at The National Link Coalition annual meeting. The work of the Coalition focuses on the link between animal abuse, elder abuse, domestic abuse and child maltreatment. Learn more about the link at National Link Coalition. Animal Folks was asked to present our Veterinary Manual for Reporting Annual Cruelty at this meeting.

• 2018: Animal Grantmakers Conference

Animal Grantmakers is a group of funders who support organizations that are working to create lasting change for animals. Animal Folks spoke about our efforts to create a multi-disciplinary systems approach that will transform how animal law is enforced in Minnesota.

• 2018: The Kirkpatrick Foundation Animal Conference in Oklahoma

The Kirkpatrick Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of all animals through its Safe & Humane Initiative. The Foundation hosted a conference in Oklahoma that included animal experts, advocates, and leaders. Ann Olson spoke at the conference about Animal Folks' system reform efforts and the veterinary manual for reporting animal cruelty which was adapted for use in Oklahoma.

Animal Folks has also presented to:

• attorneys at the Animal Law section of the Minnesota State Bar Association,
explaining Minnesota animal cruelty law;
• mental health professionals in counties about The Link and animal cruelty; and
• multiple presentations to humane societies and animal rescue groups about puppy mills in Minnesota.

EVENTS: Booths

• National Sheriff Conference

Animal Folks attended the National Sheriff Conference held in Minneapolis, MN. Our booth displayed and provided information about animal cruelty and Minnesota animal laws. Our team spoke with multiple sheriffs in MN and throughout the nation, many of whom had handled animal cruelty cases and understood the severity of these crimes.

• Minnesota Sheriff's Association Conference, Brainerd, MN

• Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association conference, Minneapolis and Rochester, MN

• Crime and Victimization Conference, Brainerd, MN

• Walk for Animals, Golden Valley, MN

• MN Animal Welfare Conference, St. Cloud, MN

• Paws on Grand, St. Paul MN

• Petapalooza, St. Paul, MN

• VegFest, Mpls., MN

• Animal Folks has also had booths at multiple events throughout Minnesota hosted by animal rescue and animal welfare organizations, such as Pause for Paws, RAGOM, Bark for Life, Pet Expo, and others, and also county fairs.

DOCUMENTARY: Dog By Dog

Animal Folks hosted a screening of the documentary Dog By Dog at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul. This compelling film, created by 5414 Productions, Inc., takes a look at the commercial dog breeding industry and follows the money trail that allows it to continue and thrive. Animal Folks also coordinated and hosted a panel discussion following the film to discuss puppy mills and the pipeline to pet stores. Panel participants were from Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri.