Animal Rights Network

In 1979, several Connecticut-based animal rights activists withdrew from Friends of Animals, Inc., to found the Animal Rights Network (ARN). ARN joined forces with the animal rights magazine Agenda, and together they worked to unite local, national, and international animal rights groups to achieve common goals. In 2001, the board of directors determined that the role of ARN as a movement building and networking tool was no longer necessary, and formed a new organization called the Institute for Animals and Society (IAS) "to advance animal advocay issues in public policy developmebt by conducting scholarly research and analysis, providing education and training, and fostering cooperation with other social justice movements and interests." IAS merged with Society and Animals Forum to create the Animals and Society Institute in 2005.

In 1979, several Connecticut-based animal rights activists withdrew from Friends of Animals, Inc., to found the Animal Rights Network (ARN). These founders included Esther Mechler, Doug Moss, Sunshine Beyer, and Patricia Valentino. Shortly thereafter, ARN joined forces with the animal rights magazine Agenda, whose staff consisted of Jim Mason, Peter Singer, and Kim W. Stallwood. Together, ARN and Agenda worked to unite local, national, and international animal rights groups to achieve common goals. The organization was set up as a democratic institution with executive officers and a board of directors accountable to the ARN General Assembly. Branches functioned as autonomous units, deciding for themselves on which local and national issues to focus.

ARN's main objectives incorporated the central issues confronting the animal rights movement. These objectives included live animal experimentation, exploitation of animals for sport and entertainment, intensive breeding and slaughter of domestic animals for food, and irresponsible pet ownership. The group used its financial resources to develop advertising campaigns and publications in order to educate the public about animal rights issues.

ARN has a history of producing animal rights publications. In 1980, the group produced two publications, Agenda, a "journal of animal liberation," and Animal Rights Network News, a newsletter that published news and events related to the animal rights movement. A year later, the publications merged under the title Agenda . In 1985, the publication's title changed to The Animals' Agenda . In 1997, the magazine merged with The Animals' Voice, but retained the name The Animals' Agenda .

In their research of animal rights and welfare, ARN subscribed to a great amount of publications from a wide variety of groups and organizations. This included both those who shared similar interests with their causes, such as societies for the protection of animals and animal care groups, as well as those whose work ARN opposed, like animal experimenters and hunters.