June 14, 2025
Outreach with CAA is one of the most effective and rewarding ways you can help animals — and it’s easier and more fun than you might think. We know that some people are hesitant to volunteer because they’re worried they feel unsure talking to strangers. That’s totally normal! But we want to assure you that you’ll be fully supported every step of the way.
You don’t need to be an expert or have any prior experience. The most important thing is to be a friendly face at the booth — we’ll bring the spin wheel game trivia, the candy, and the magazines and brochures! Other people will be with you to answer questions. Whether you’re outgoing or more reserved, there’s a place for you at our outreach tables.
We table at events across Minnesota, from farmers markets to cultural festivals to environmental fairs. We run events focusing on the environmental impact of plant-based eating, and events focusing on the sentience of animals and their ongoing mistreatment in agriculture. Even with heavier conversations, our spin wheel game, candy prizes, and concrete actions make the conversations easier. These outreach events are fun, impactful, and supported by our experienced team every step of the way. If you’re passionate about helping animals, we’d love to have you join us.
“One conversation can plant a seed of compassion that grows for a lifetime.”
Outreach Works: The Research Behind the Impact
Studies show that in-person, one-on-one outreach emerges is a top-tier method for inspiring dietary change and reducing animal-product consumption. While exact conversion rates may vary, the evidence repeatedly shows that face-to-face education is a catalyst for long-term behavioral change—validating CAA’s strategy of engaging people directly at volunteer outreach events
What Is Outreach Like?
At our outreach tables, volunteers invite people to spin our colorful Spin Wheel and answer thought-provoking questions about farmed animals, diet, and the environment. The questions are based on data from the USDA, industry publications, and academic research. For example:
- How many square feet of space are chicken farmers encouraged to provide for each chicken?
- What percentage of pigs have their tails cut off without painkillers?
- How many hours of uninterrupted darkness are chickens given to sleep?
Don’t worry — you don’t need to know the answers. We give you all the facts in advance, so you’ll be ready to share them with attendees. We also have kid-friendly versions of the questions that build empathy for animals in fun, age-appropriate ways.
You’ll also invite people to take our Explore Veg Challenge, which helps participants try plant-based eating for a few weeks with daily tips and recipes. Some people also choose to take a remote action, like contacting lawmakers about animal protection bills.
“Don’t worry — you’ll have all the answers. We’ve got your back!”
Real Conversations, Real Impact
Volunteers have all kinds of meaningful interactions. Here is a sampling of some of them from recent events:
- A teenager stopped to talk about how she hated seeing animals forced to perform in circuses. A volunteer talked with her about how animals in factory farms suffer too — and how our food choices could make a difference.
- A man said he and his wife were thinking about going vegan. He cared about the environment and animal cruelty but felt unsure about what to eat. A volunteer talked with him about what he liked to eat, talked through how to veganize recipes, and encouraged him to give it a try.
- A group of high schoolers, by spinning the wheel and learning trivia, learned about soil health, fertilizer pollution, and how plant-based diets can help. One said, “Thank you for teaching people this!”
- A woman shared her struggles with going vegan, and after talking more about what motivated her and her lifestyle, she committed to eating vegan three days a week.
- A man who thought vegans were weak was surprised to learn our volunteer had been vegan for 10 years and runs 50Ks!
Each of these conversations helped people take a step toward compassion, and that adds up.
New Focus: Connecting Diet and the Environment
We’re now bringing our outreach to environmental fairs and Earth-friendly events too. At these events, our Spin Wheel focuses on how our diets affect the planet with questions like these:
- How much water does it take to produce a pound of chicken flesh versus a pound of beans?
- What crop takes up the most freshwater nationwide? (Answer, per USDA statistics: haylage.)
- We create a lot of pollution to grow monocultures like soybeans. What happens to most of the soybeans we grow? (Answer, per USDA and soy lobbies: 70% or more goes directly to farmed animal feed — an incredibly inefficient use of calories!)
These facts help attendees understand that eating more plant-based foods is one of the most powerful ways to protect the Earth. Plant-based diets are not only better for animals, but also for the environment and human health. When we reduce our consumption of animal products, we lower our carbon footprint, conserve water, and reduce pollution — all while reducing the suffering of billions of animals.
So even when our outreach is focused on environmental concerns, it’s still promoting a compassionate, plant-based lifestyle that benefits all beings.
Support Every Step of the Way
Never done outreach before? Don’t worry — we’ll walk you through it.
When you sign up to volunteer, we’ll send you an email a few days before the event. It’ll include:
- A friendly introduction to the CAA staff member leading the event
- Their cell phone number in case you have questions the day of
- A cheat sheet with answers to Spin Wheel questions
When you arrive at the event, you’ll be able to meet other volunteers and staff, walk through the booth activities, and have everything you need to get started. Plus, we’ll have drinks and a plant-based snack for you to enjoy before or after your shift — or during a quiet moment.
Quick Shifts, Lasting Impact
Outreach events usually run for a few hours, and we break shifts into just two hours. You can pick the day and time that works best for you — do one shift, or come for multiple events!
We’ll be at the Linden Hills Farmers Market on Sunday, July 6 and Sunday, July 13, as well as festivals in August including POC Pride Festival and Little Africa Festival, and events organized by our chapter at the UMN in the fall. There are many more outreach opportunities every summer!
A Fun, Fulfilling Way to Help Animals
Volunteering for outreach is one of the most powerful things you can do for animals. You’ll have fun with the Spin Wheel game, connect with people who care, and help move the world toward a kinder, more sustainable future.
Whether you’re talking to a curious teen, a skeptical adult, or a child full of questions, you’re planting seeds of compassion. And every seed matters.
How to sign up
Ready to make a difference? Sign up for an upcoming outreach event. We can’t wait to have you join us!
