When Animals Become Someone: How Sanctuaries Change the Way We See Animals

Time: 3:00 - 4:00 PM
Location: Outdoor Library Amphitheater

A heartfelt look at what happens when we choose to truly see animals as individuals. Through personal stories from The Salty Sanctuary, including unexpected rescues, hard lessons, and the animals who have changed us. This talk explores compassion, connection, and the simple idea that every life deserves a seat at the table.

About: Emily Potter is the founder of The Salty Sanctuary, a nonprofit animal sanctuary in Southern Utah providing a safe, lifelong home for rescued farmed animals. What began with a desire to help animals in need has grown into a sanctuary filled with cows, horses, goats, mini horses, a llama, chickens, and other animals… each with their own story, personality, and reminder of why their lives matter.

Emily is also the founder of salty., a clothing brand she created during one of the most difficult seasons of her life. The brand was born while her mom was battling cancer, giving Emily a creative outlet during a painful and uncertain time. From that experience came the heart behind salty.  A reminder that everyone carries something, and sometimes a little encouragement, connection, or kindness can go a long way.

Over time, Emily’s love for creativity and her passion for animals have become intertwined. Through salty., she has been able to use clothing and community to help support the work of The Salty Sanctuary and give rescued animals the lives they deserve. At VegFest, Emily hopes to share some of the animals and experiences that have shaped her own journey and remind others that compassion doesn’t have to be complicated. Small choices can create meaningful change and every animal deserves to be seen as an individual worthy of kindness, safety, and a life of their own.

SILICON, SCARCITY, AND STEAK: REDEFINING THE WEST'S WATER CRISIS

Time: 4:10 - 5:10 PM
Location: Outdoor Library Amphitheater

Utah is living on borrowed time when it comes to water, and nowhere is that clearer than at the Great Salt Lake. As of this June 2026, the lake sits at just three feet above the record low of 4,188 feet set in November 2022. In the midst of the political fight over the proposition to construct a data center in North Western Utah, Utahns are concerned about the increasing pressure that the data center would pose on our already scarce water resources. While everyone's attention is on AI and data centers, we are neglecting an even larger culprit in our water crisis: animal agriculture.

About: Hannah was raised outside of Salt Lake City, UT. She spent her summers on long backpacking trips to the Uintah mountains with her Dad who helped cultivate her love of the natural world, eventually leading her to get two bachelor's degrees in natural sciences from the University of Utah. She worked for NASA before her current position at Weber State University. In 2025, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at 23 years old after an episode of paralysis. She spent most of that summer and fall learning how to walk again and learning how to live meaningfully and joyfully in spite of disability. She has two young daughters who are the light of her life. In her free time, Hannah enjoys spending time with those she loves, supporting animal rescues and any crafting project that she can get her hands on. 

Time: 5:20-6:20 PM
Location: Outdoor Library Amphitheater

Join Jeremy to explore the case for ending animal experimentation; examining both its scientific failures and the suffering it inflicts on millions of animals. With a particular focus on dogs, the presentation will discuss Utah’s role in the history of the laboratory beagle, while also examining the recent examples of change, including the closure of Ridglan Farms in Wisconsin, to demonstrate the potential and power when people take collective action for animals.

About: Jeremy Beckham is an animal protection advocate and recent graduate of Lewis & Clark Law School. For more than two decades, Jeremy has worked to end the use of animals in experimentation through roles with Beagle Freedom Project, PETA’s Laboratory Investigations Department, and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. He has extensive experience investigating laboratory practices, advocating for alternatives to animal use, and communicating the scientific and ethical case for a transition toward human-relevant research.

Finding Your Place in the Movement: Living Vegan in a Nonvegan World

Time: 6:40 - 7:40 PM
Location: Outdoor Library Amphitheater

Being vegan in a nonvegan world can bring considerable challenges in navigating relationships, protecting your peace, and staying true to your values in a world that doesn’t understand them. In this talk, Angel explores these aspects of veganism, from family dynamics and difficult conversations to avoiding burnout and finding community. She’ll challenge the idea that there’s only one “right” way to advocate for animals, highlighting why every form of activism is essential to the movement. Attendees will leave feeling grounded in their values, confident in their unique role, and inspired to create change in a way that is both authentic and sustainable.

About: Angel Ardito is a vegan educator, content creator, activist, and speaker behind ThatVeganAngel. She blends education, advocacy, skits, and comedy to make veganism approachable and engaging. She’s given talks on compassionate advocacy at retreats and online communities, does public outreach and online LIVE debates, hosts the podcast “Sweet But Serious”, and offers one-on-one coaching to help vegans navigate the social and relational dynamics of living vegan in a nonvegan world.

Utah Animal Rights Coalition (UARC) believes that a wide array of lifestyles, beliefs, and opinions ought to be present at a community festival. The views and opinions expressed by the vendors & speakers at SLC VegFest do not necessarily reflect the opinions of UARC or SLC VegFest, and the presence of a vendor or speaker at SLC VegFest should not be construed as an endorsement of every idea, tactic, or position held by that vendor or speaker.