Join us on April 4 from 11am-2pm for our first-ever Stories to Sit With book club at the Refuge!

Curious about the philosophies behind animal rights? Wish you had more time to read and talk about meaningful ideas? If you want to spend more time reading and connecting with farm animals and thoughtful, compassionate people, then our low-pressure animal rights book club might be just what you’re looking for!

This free event includes time to read with our animal residents, a discussion, and a free lunch from Pure Soul.

The book is Zoopolis: A Political Theory of Animal Rights by Sue Donaldson and Will Kymlicka, and it accessibly explores the question: what if we considered animals members of our political communities? The authors imagine domesticated animals as citizens, wild animals as members of sovereign communities, and urban wildlife as residents with rights. You can set up a time to pick up a free copy of this thought-provoking read ahead of the book club, but don’t feel any pressure to read through it before arriving! On the day, we’ll start things off by announcing which chapter we’ll be focusing on, and you’ll have a peaceful hour to read the chapter here at the Refuge. Then, when we’ve all had time to absorb the text, we’ll talk about it as a group!

How it works:

• Register and sign your waiver using the button below. The event is free thanks to a grant from Carolina Public Humanities!

• Pick up your free copy of the book by emailing kate@piedmontrefuge.org to schedule a pickup time at the Refuge.

• Read as much as you like ahead of time or start reading when you arrive! The first hour of the event will be quiet reading time to explore the day’s chapter in the company of our animal residents.

• Join the discussion led by UNC Philosophy PhD candidate Zach Ferguson, our professional guide for a friendly and reflective conversation.

• Stay for a free lunch and continue sharing ideas over a meal from Pure Soul.