They're here, they're animal lovers and they want you to become a vegetarian.

One of the main purposes of the Alabama Animal Rights Fellowship, formerly called Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is to urge students to adopt a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle and to inspire students to become more involved in the animal rights movement. AARF spends a great deal of time educating students about cruelty to animals and how it can be avoided.

AARF President Brian Davidson, a senior biology major, said his organization presents tables at the Ferguson Center regularly, holds protests and demonstrations, assists greek organizations on campus with educational programs, holds regular potlucks and works closely with media to get the group's voice heard.

"Because of this constant activity, many students have changed their lifestyles and diets." he said. "The campus body as a whole has been educated on issues concerning the ethical treatment of animals."

Davidson said this year alone AARF has held 16 demonstrations in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and Montgomery. One of the group's main demonstrations has been a protest of KFC restaurants nationwide.

Chickens are the most abused animals on the planet, Davidson attested, and the goal of AARF's demonstrations is to let people know about cruel treatment of the animals. He said the cruelty involves slitting the throats of the chickens while they're conscious and sometimes scalding them alive.

"Chickens feel pain as we do and have distinct personalities and intelligence," he said. "The easiest way to decrease their suffering is to go vegetarian."

Davidson said he hopes the group will continue to be an important part of the UA campus. He said that when students realize the suffering animals endure, they might want to make changes to their lives.

"We are a very positive group, only asking students to be as moral and compassionate as they can be in their lives," Davidson said.

AARF member Robby Cole, a senior history major, said he has talked to several people about the benefits of going vegetarian or vegan and has even helped a few of his friends change their eating habits.

"People need to know what goes on behind what they're eating; about the meat that comes to their table," he said. "The process of how animals are slaughtered is such a cruel and mechanical process."

For the rest of the semester AARF will continue distributing information to students about how they can lead cruelty-free lifestyles. Additionally, it has several demonstrations planned for the month of April, such as a protest of IAMS for its testing of animals to improve pet food.

Several potlucks have also been planned to allow students the opportunity to try vegan food. The group also plans to celebrate Earthfest on April 24 by grilling veggie dogs and burgers near Woods Hall.