In what has become a sad ritual, once again NHARL had vegan boots on the ground at the SNHU Arena in Manchester to protest the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) before their two shows on Friday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
Petition: Please sign our petition to end bull riding in Manchester. Manchester residents can play a key role. Contact us to take the next step!
There was a larger police presence this year, perhaps because of the buzz created by our billboard, in view of the arena and covered by the press, as well as our visit to the home of the SNHU Arena’s General Manager, Tim Bechert.
Our digital billboard on Elm St. in Manchester in view of the SNHU Arena
Protest outside the home of the SNHU Arena’s General Manager Tim Bechert
As always, we were peaceful and respectful — in fact, better behaved thanthose who taunted us, including one young lady who pranced by gleefully shouting, “I love eating steak and watching bull riding!”
As in past years, we had video of bulls getting hurt at PBR events — this year projected ona larger screen which could be seen by passing cars as well as those approaching the arena. We received a few shouts and honks of support from drivers.
Together, we are working with the Christian Animal Rights Association, sharing strategies and resources for putting an end to these abusive spectacles across the country.
We also managed to hand out 150 postcards that explained why we were there.
Our raffle table was once again packed with wonderful prizes!
Thank you to our sponsors and donors!
Design Brand Partners
Point and Shoot Photography
FarmHouse Fresh
Lovebirds
Common Roots
Trader Joe’s
MegaFoods
900 Degrees Neapolitan Pizza
Pressed Café
A Market
Chunky’s Cinema Pub
THE SPEAKER!
We were honored to have Christine Dorchak, co-founder and president of Grey2K USA Worldwide, as our speaker.
Her organization’s work has led to the closure of dog-racing tracks across the U.S. and around the world!
Christine tailored her presentation to focus on the hard-won fight to end dog racing in New Hampshire, and inspired us with a three-step process that could be used to address and end other forms of animal cruelty:
Step One: Command the Data
Step Two: Disable the Opposition
Step Three: Seize Opportunities to Win
Please go to grey2kusa.org/stopusdogracing right now and click “please write to your Representative in Washington, DC” to ask your representative in Congress (Pappas or Goodlander) to support the Greyhound Protection Act!
On November 9, 2025, while much of Manchester was absorbed with the city marathon, the DoubleTree Hotel hosted the Reptile Expo for the third time this year. As before, crowds flocked to the event, and countless snakes, turtles, and geckos were sold like mere trinkets.
NHARL held a peaceful protest outside the event. Holding a banner reading “Skip the Reptile Expo” and handing out postcards, we urged attendees to reconsider the ethics of keeping wild animals in captivity.
With runners and spectators lining the streets for the Manchester City Marathon, our banner got plenty of attention.
The cruelty of reptile shows
Reptile shows exploit reptiles and amphibians for profit, disregarding animal welfare, public health, and conservation concerns.
These expos pack convention centers with vendors who confine snakes, lizards, tortoises, frogs, and other animals in tiny containers — treating them as products rather than living beings.
Beyond the immediate stress and suffering animals endure at the show, reptile expos fuel the harmful captive reptile trade, leading to widespread animal neglect and ecological harm.
Uninformed Buyers, Unintended Cruelty
A big concern with reptile shows is how how easily reptiles are sold to people with little understanding of their complex needs.
We saw people walking out with snakes tucked inside their sweatshirts — not even in containers.
Others treated the sentient beings they had purchased like inanimate objects.
What must be going through the minds of these poor creatures — surrounded by bright lights and loud noise, and with nowhere to hide?
Our 2025 Annual Meeting and Thanksgiving Potluck was a joyful gathering that brought together both longtime friends and new faces in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Thank you to everyone who attended the event and for your delicious contributions to the potluck!
We regret to inform you that this event has been canceled due to a family emergency. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Ticketholders will be refunded. We hope to hold the event again in the future. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@nhanimalrights.org.
Take Your Halloween to the Next Level!
Join us October 29 at Chunky’s Cinema Pub in Manchester for a real-life horror story!
Discover the hidden truth about the treatment of animals in the award-winning Dominionnarrated by Joaquin Phoenix.
On October 18, 2025, the NH Animal Rights League once again took part in the Animal Rescue League of NH’s annual Howl-O-Ween 5K, revisiting the Dairy Is Scary message — just in time for Halloween!
Playing the role of a calf taken from her mother, Bella the Dog stayed in character, maintaining a mournful expression. (Bella was, of course, given a chance to get out and walk — she just preferred to ride.)
NHARL was the 2nd place fundraiser — Again!
Thanks to your donations, once again Team NHARL earned 2nd place in the list of Top Team Fundraisers, raising more than $1,300 for the shelter!
Team Captain Liz was joined by Jessica and Sam; Steve, Amy, Amelia, and Sunny the Dog; Joan; and Bella the Dog.
Our signs:
MOTHER COW: “Please don’t take my baby away!” BABY CALF: “I want to stay with my mom and nurse.” DAIRY FARMER: “I have to take the baby away so I can sell the mother’s milk.”
Our table was strategically positioned near the starting line, so runners waiting for the race to begin had a good look at our posters.
“I didn’t know that.” “I had no idea.” Nearly everyone we spoke with was shocked to learn these scary facts about the dairy industry.
Dairy-Free Chocolate to the rescue!
Eventgoers who were saddened to learn how scary dairy is were treated to a delicious alternative — dairy-free chocolate peanut butter cups and coconut bars from UNREAL.
Thank you!
Thank you to the NHARL runners and walkers, to those who donated, and to everyone who stopped by our table!
Once again, the NH Animal Rights League’s annual summer outing, held September 6, 2025 at Four Tree Island, Portsmouth, was a big success.
We’re so grateful to our guests for bringing such delicious dishes to share. Also, special thanks to our wonderful volunteers — Carole, Dave, Kris, and Lyn — whose hard work setting up, tending the grill, and keeping things running smoothly made the event a success.
Old and new Friends
The summer outing is an opportunity for people who care about animals to connect with like-minded individuals. We were delighted to see so many new and old friends!
Ocean Plastic Harms Aquatic Life
Our theme for the event was, once again, the impact of ocean plastic on aquatic life. Guests were invited to participate in an Ocean Plastic Scavenger Hunt, while learning about how plastic trash and abandoned fishing nets/gear have turned the oceans into mine fields for animals such as turtles, dolphins, whales, and seabirds.
Thank you to everyone who participated — you cleaned up the island!
At the end of the scavenger hunt, the collected trash was weighed to determine the winner.
The most unusual find was not actually plastic, but something more silky…
Missing a thong? Contact Steve.
Thank you!
A huge thank-you to everyone who joined us, brought such tasty dishes, and pitched in with donations. We couldn’t do this work for animals without your support. Rest up and we’ll see you next year!
NHARL will have our next vegan meetup on Sunday, August 24 at Bonfire Coffee Bar (58 High Street) in Somersworth, NH.
Bonfire is a new business, offering a welcoming space and strong focus on vegan-friendly options, including plant-based milks and locally made vegan baked goods.
Drop by any time between 10:00 and 2:00 to indulge and visit with old and new friends!
Everyone is welcome, and you don’t need to be vegan to come along. Just keep in mind that we’ll be enjoying delicious plant-based foods together!