Building an Animal Rights Community Center: Sue Spahr and Wishbone Lab

Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation

Step inside Toronto’s Wishbone Animal Rights Lab, an innovative 1,270-square-foot activist hub providing everything from recording equipment to fake blood (yes, really) for animal advocates. This groundbreaking community space serves as a prototype for activist centers worldwide, combining practical resources with a strict “no drama” policy and the occasional karaoke night to create sustainable, accessible advocacy.

Key Discussion Points:
• Creating and managing sustainable spaces for animal rights activism
• Building bridges between activist communities and the general public
• Developing replicable models for community organizing
• Using arts and entertainment to advance animal advocacy

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Sue Spahr is the co-founder and Lab Director of Wishbone Animal Rights Lab, an innovative community space in downtown Toronto dedicated to developing strategies for animal liberation. With over four decades of animal advocacy experience, Spahr brings her ‘Mad Scientist’ approach to reimagining activism and challenging systemic animal exploitation. Alongside co-founders Sharon Spahr and Alec Bosse, she creates collaborative spaces for activists to think critically, share ideas, and develop effective approaches to animal advocacy. Having advocated for all species – from insects to farm animals – since 1980, Spahr brings determination and strategic thinking to the movement for animal liberation.

RESOURCES

• • Mexico’s President Supports Constitutional Reforms Against Animal Cruelty
  • Pioneering the future of egg production with In OVO sexing technology
  • The First US Bird Flu Death Is a Stark Warning
  • How Big Meat Worked to Rebrand in 2024 — Using Disinformation
  • I Could Never Go Vegan
  • Despite claims, chicken not the most affordable protein
  • David Graeber Institute on Bluesky
  • Wishbone AR Lab
  • Wishbone AR Lab on Instagram
  • Wishbone AR Lab on Facebook

INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT

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Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series.

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