About

Nicole Arciello's journey in activism began over a decade ago when she became a regular contributor to the Times Union (Albany, NY) "Animal Rights Blog." Fueled by her commitment to justice, she co-founded Albany Animal Rights, a local advocacy group that vehemently protested against various animal-use industries, including circuses, rodeos, puppy mills, and fur. Nicole also wrote an op-ed for the Times Union that shed light on the mistreatment of elephants in circuses and called for their liberation.

Nicole gained notable recognition for her involvement in an A1 story with the Times Union, which covered a high school senior's controversial yearbook photo featuring the trophy hunting of a giraffe. The story sparked widespread conversation and was further picked up by the Daily Mail, bringing national attention to the ethical issues surrounding trophy hunting. This exposure helped amplify Nicole's voice in the animal rights movement, reinforcing her role as a dedicated advocate for animals.

An accomplished vegan chef and baker, Nicole has over 12 years of experience in the field. Her innovative and delicious plant-based dishes have been showcased in local restaurants, pop-up events, and farmers' markets, with her recipes featured in blogs and local newspapers.

Through her infectious passion and unwavering dedication, Nicole has inspired many to embrace a cruelty-free lifestyle. She currently serves as the executive director of Horseracing Wrongs, a nonprofit organization working to end the cruel horseracing industry in the U.S.

Patrick Battuello began his work in animal-rights advocacy in 2009 when he launched one of the first Animal Rights blogs in the U.S. for the Albany Times Union. His writing from this period was so impactful that it was featured in the high-school textbook The Case for Animal Rights.

In 2013, Patrick founded Horseracing Wrongs, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the horseracing industry in the U.S. Through his groundbreaking FOIA investigations, Patrick has become the nation's leading expert on racehorse deaths. His work has been featured in major outlets such as The Washington Post, USA Today, Deadspin, and on HBO’s Real Sports, CNN, ESPN, and more. Patrick has also testified before the New York State Senate on issues related to horseracing.

In addition to his advocacy work, Patrick has written op-eds for prominent publications, including The Washington Post, Katie Couric Media, MSNBC, and The Baltimore Sun, as well as numerous local and statewide newspapers.