We had a spectacular and fun, fun, fun donation month! Poppi is now our adopted matriarch elephant in the making and will guide us on our wild journey here at Empowering Animals. 🐘❤️ We will continue to keep GRACE Gorillas in our hearts with our dedicated merchandise supporting rescued lowland gorillas. And we made three beautiful gifts to three beautiful organizations! We helped the Center for Whale Research continue monitoring and working toward a bright future for our Southern Resident orcas, Harmony Fund continue helping the underdogs and cats of the world with food and warm shelter, and Holy Land Cats continue their mission of helping the street cats in Jerusalem. Thank you for loving the animals and making this such a special giving month. It takes all of us to make their world a better place. ❤️🐾

This isn’t what I planned to post this morning, but the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust surprised me with this beautiful video, and I just had to share it. If you have little kids, or you’re a big kid yourself, I think you’ll love it. I love how it teaches children about animals and why they belong in the wild, all through a beautiful story about family, told from both the Sheldrick keepers’ and the Muppets’ perspectives. There are so many other beautiful lessons woven in, and the songs are amazing. It’s so full of heart, and honestly, it made me cry. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. ❤️ Watch the video

Researchers photographed North Atlantic right whale Silt with a calf on September 25. After carefully studying the photos, scientists confirmed this was a previously undocumented baby, bringing this season’s total to 24 calves. That is the fourth-highest number of documented mother-and-calf pairs ever recorded. Silt is at least 38 years old, and this is her sixth known calf. She has three grandchildren and welcomed her first great-grandchild this year. What an incredible family legacy. ❤️ But Silt’s story also shows what these whales are going through. She has survived at least five fishing-gear entanglements, some leaving deep scars. Her 2022 calf, Division, died from a severe entanglement earlier this year. Her eldest calf was killed by a vessel strike in 2005. There are only about 380 North Atlantic right whales left, with only approximately 70 breeding females. This is down from 90 documented in 2021. Every calf is a reason to celebrate, and every whale deserves a safer ocean. We can help by sharing their stories, learning about the protections that reduce fishing-gear entanglements and vessel strikes, and continuing to speak up for the changes they need to survive. You can read and share the New England Aquarium’s announcement here. And if you want to learn more https://www.neaq.org/about-us/press-room/press-releases/in-surprise-sighting-previously-unknown-north-atlantic-right-whale-calf-is-spotted-in-canadian-waters/ If you want to learn more about our oceans, you can sign up free for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s weekly newsletter, which includes stories from Oceanus Magazine here.

One of the things I LOVE about this community is seeing so many people finding different ways to make life better for animals. 💚 From supporting rescues and sanctuaries to raising awareness, volunteering and sharing stories that inspire compassion. There are SO many ways to make a difference. And every contribution matters. One of the ways closest to my heart is through FOOD. 🌱 I've been vegan for nearly 11 years, and after 19 years as a personal trainer, I now help people discover how EASY, healthy, abundant and delicious plant-based eating can be. Because I love the idea that something we do every day — eating delicious food — can also be an opportunity to show a little more love to animals. That's why I created Plant Positive, my FREE Skool community for vegans, vegans-at-heart and the plant-curious. Inside we share easy recipes, practical nutrition and habit tips, encouragement, and plenty of ways to make plant-based living feel more doable. No perfection required. No complicated cooking skills. And definitely no surviving on salads... UNLESS they look like that first one pictured! 😅 Whether you're already vegan, enjoy a few plant-based favourites, or are simply curious about trying something new, you're so very welcome. 🌱 Come join us: And because I LOVE talking food... What's one plant-based meal you already enjoy — or would love to try? 💚

Remember when I teased that something extra special was coming for November? Well, here we go! And I hope you're sitting down because I am about to get emotional again, because things got even better since the original post. First, I have a very special adoption planned! 🐘 Empowering Animals will be adopting Poppi, one of the newest elephant orphans at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust! Her story has my whole heart. Poppi's mother, Poppy, was a remarkable wild elephant who lived to the age of 53. She was the matriarch of her herd and mother of nine calves, six of whom are still living. When Poppy passed away in September, little Poppi refused to leave her mother's side. At just over a year old, she was still dependent on her mother and needed help to survive. Thankfully, Poppi was rescued and brought into the loving care of Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. And here's what makes this story even more special. Poppy spent her life raising her family and leading her herd through the challenges of life in the wild. Now, her youngest daughter is already showing signs of that same matriarch spirit. Sheldrick's Keepers say Poppi even insists on leading the Nursery herd home in the evenings. I am drawn to that legacy of leadership, and I feel it represents the passion behind our Empowering Animals family. And there's more! 🦍 We will be sending $20 to GRACE Gorillas to support their incredible work caring for rescued gorillas thanks to @Kate Bullock's beautiful and heartfelt donated Lino Print that will continue to give and give and give. And thanks to Michelle Cyr's donated original oil painting of Luna, $341 was raised at All Things Wild Rehabilitation's auction on October 17th! Can we get a whoop whoop up in here! NOW FOR THE BIG REVEAL! (Seriously, almost excited-screamed, but it's still quiet time here.) Thanks to the wonderful support our growing community has received through Premium, VIP, Cause & Chaos, and a generous one-time donation, we are making November's vote something extra special and instead of just one organization receiving a donation this month, ALL THREE WILL RECEIVE ONE!