Lulingu was only 18 months old when she was rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in 2016 and brought to GRACE, the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center in the Democratic Republic of Congo. There, she grew up in a gorilla family and learned the skills she would need to survive on her own in the wild. In December 2024, Lulingu and three other rescued Grauer’s gorillas followed a wild silverback named Mwasa into the forest, becoming the first gorillas rehabilitated by GRACE to return to the wild. Then, on May 21, 2026, Lulingu gave birth to a healthy baby in the wild. That is what wildlife rehabilitation is all about. 🦍❤️ If you love stories like Lulingu’s and want to discover more incredible animals and the organizations working to protect them, come check out Empowering Animals. It’s free to join!

Hi everyone! I know I’ve been a little quiet around here lately, but I haven’t disappeared. I’ve been busy building something very close to my heart, and I wanted to pop back in and share some pretty exciting news. Empowering Animals is officially an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit! 👏❤️🐾 What started as an idea to bring animal lovers together has grown into a community where we learn about incredible animals, discover the people and organizations protecting them, raise awareness, and find ways to help. Getting that determination letter in the mail made everything feel a little more real. And I’m so excited to see what new doors this opens and where Empowering Animals goes from here. I’ve missed being in here with you all, so this seemed like a pretty darn good reason to pop my head back in and say, “HI! Look what I’ve been up to!” I’m looking forward to catching up, reconnecting, and seeing what everyone else has been up to while I’ve been off building Empowering Animals. It’s good to be back! ❤️🐾 If you’d like to see what I’ve been building, come take a peek!

If you enjoy a little humor with your heart, you might like Cause & Chaos. Head to Cause if you're feeling inspired, compassionate, and ready for a few warm fuzzies. Head to Chaos if you're running on coffee, sarcasm, and the last thread of your patience. We have shirts that say exactly what you're thinking. The best part is every shirt gives back to help animals, no matter which side you choose. Whichever mood you're in today, I hope you find one that makes you smile. 🐾

Bumpy is growing up, and it has been so much fun watching his journey. Just a few months ago, he was a frightened little orphan. Today, he rules his own little kingdom with a pool of his own, endless swimming adventures, and a growing circle of friends. His favorite activities include underwater naps, floating on his back like an otter, and showing off his latest swimming moves whenever someone comes to visit. While hippos are naturally very different from elephants, Bumpy has already won over buffaloes, giraffes, and even little elephant Wangalla, who has decided he needs a little extra attention. Their sweet interactions are enough to melt your heart. It was also fascinating to learn that Kaluku is the perfect place for Bumpy to grow up, surrounded by wild hippos and an environment that will one day help prepare him for the life he was born to live. If you haven't met Bumpy yet, or want to see all of his adorable friends for yourself, take a few minutes to visit Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and follow his incredible journey. While you're there, check out Bumpy's adoption page. 🥰

It's easy to think helping animals takes a lot of time or money, but some of the biggest changes begin with the simplest choices. 🐘 Adopt a rescued elephant, pangolin, sea turtle, or other wildlife in honor of someone you love and give a gift that brings joy year round instead of another gift that might end up tucked away in a closet. 💚 Set aside $10 a month for an animal organization you believe in. That's $120 over a year. Now imagine 10 more people joining your lead. Together, those small monthly gifts provide organizations with enough to help feed orphaned wildlife, care for rescued and homeless animals, or provide medical treatment for those who need it most. 🐾Spend a few hours volunteering at a local shelter, sanctuary, or wildlife rehabilitation center. Your time may mean more than you realize. If you'd like more animal stories and simple ways to help animals, I'd love to have you join us in Empowering Animals. Please use the link in this post rather than my profile so your membership is credited correctly. Thank you! ❤️ What's one small thing you've done for an animal that made a bigger difference than you expected?