About

Who We Are

ARK II is currently run by a diverse group of advocates, artists, and educators determined to expose the hidden realities of animal exploitation. Our name—ARK II—represents a second chance for animals, a vessel for hope, and a radical call to action.

For decades, we’ve helped ignite and inspire generations of animal advocates through street theatre, public protests, art interventions, zines, underground media, and educational campaigns. We believe in the power of creative outreach and strategic disruption to spark conversation, shift consciousness, and drive real systemic change

ARK II remains fiercely independent and community-powered. We are a collective. No hierarchy. No compromise.

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What We Stand For

ANIMAL LIBERATION • HUMAN LIBERATION • EARTH LIBERATION

Total liberation for all animals—human and non-human

An end to speciesism and all systems of oppression

Solidarity with other social justice movements

Decolonization, intersectionality, and environmental stewardship

Advocating for Animal / Human / Earth Liberation

ARK II is a collective rooted in direct action, education, creative media, and solidarity.
From the streets to the classroom, from zines to digital campaigns, we disrupt injustice, challenge dominant narratives, and stand with all movements working toward liberation—for animals, people, and the planet.

Our Work

Direct Action & Street Advocacy
From protests and disruptions to large-scale demonstrations and media campaigns, ARK II takes animal rights to the streets.
Education & Public Outreach
Workshops, school presentations, and digital campaigns aim to inform and inspire future generations to reject cruelty and embrace compassion.
Media & Zine Culture
Since the 1980s, we’ve published radical print and visual media to counter mainstream narratives about animals, consumption, and capitalism.
Solidarity Actions
We show up for climate justice, Indigenous land defenders, workers’ rights, and other movements aligned with our core values.

Our History

ARK II was founded in 1984 by Vicki Miller (Victoria Mihalyi), Cathie Hunter, and Rob Laidlaw—three bold and visionary activists who recognized the deep interconnections between animal exploitation, human oppression, and environmental destruction. Vicki and Cathie brought fierce creativity, compassion, and feminist insight to the heart of the movement, while Rob’s tireless advocacy for captive wildlife would later lead to the founding of ZooCheck Canada. Together, they laid the groundwork for one of Canada’s earliest and most radical animal rights collectives. We honour their legacy in everything we do—from street protests to vegan meal shares, from public education to solidarity actions.

Legacy of Resistance
In the early days, ARK II disrupted animal research labs and circuses, marched against fur, and launched “go-vegan” campaigns before the term was mainstream. We documented animal suffering in labs, zoos, farms, and entertainment industries—long before smartphones and social media.

Protesters Impounded: Several members of the animal rights group; Ark II; with whiskers painted on their faces or wearing fuzzy rabbit ears; are taken off in a police car yesterday after being charged with trespassing at the Westbury Hotel. Date: 6/24/1985 Names: Jim Russell (photographer), Toronto Star (Firm) (publisher)

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