Thank you for celebrating our 10th annual Activist Appreciation Month with us. Since 2016, this special program has supported animal advocates with healing, connection, and practical tools to help prevent burnout. What began as a way to care for the people showing up for animals has grown into a deeply meaningful annual tradition to sustain this movement with community, reflection, and support. Read on for program highlights and to watch the replays!

This February, we were grateful to gather with so many compassionate people for another month of learning, encouragement, and shared purpose. Together, we explored new ideas, strengthened our resilience, and made space for both action and restoration.

This year’s program included powerful author conversations, support groups, a somatic toolkit, mini-grants, movement-building events, and opportunities to advocate directly for animals. We promoted vegan living and compassion for all beings at The Global Circle of Light for the Animal Kingdom, a virtual ceremony to uplift the human-animal bond.

We spoke with Los Angeles activists about sustainable activism and brought our voices to California legislators during Lobby Day. 

We deepened our understanding through thoughtful discussions with two inspiring authors. John Sanbonmatsu joined us to explore The Omnivore’s Deception, and Stephen Balfour shared insights from Vegan Mental Health, helping participants reflect on the emotional and ethical dimensions of advocacy. We discovered the sustainable and health benefits of plant-based dog and cat foods with Briana Schweizer of Virtuous Vittles. Be sure to watch the replays!

We also made room to reconnect with our bodies and hearts. Yogi Devi Daly guided us onto our mats for yoga and meditation, while therapist Dr. Paul White shared somatic tools to help activists process stress and stay grounded. Our vegan and activist support groups offered spaces for honest conversation, mutual care, and encouragement.

Throughout the month, we were proud to extend direct support where it was needed. Mini-grants helped injured cats and vegan orphans, and our activist spotlights honored inspiring animal activists and activist animals whose stories remind us why this work matters so deeply.

Looking back on 10 years of Activist Appreciation Month, we feel grateful for every person who has joined us, shared space with us, and helped build this caring community. In a world that so often asks advocates to carry heartbreak alone, this month stands as a reminder that we are stronger when we support one another.

Thank you for being part of this community. We appreciate all you do for animals and for this movement. You’re welcome to reach out for support all year long. 

Join our efforts to help activists all year long by sending a gift today.