I caught these cheeky chappies enjoying our sunflower seeds. It’s very rural here so we see all sorts 😂🥰

This number is very special to my heart, and I just had to share this little moment. We now have 77 beautiful souls in our community. I know the animals are celebrating right along with us! Thank you for being here and loving the animals with me! ❤️ 🐾🦋

@Michelle Cyr had an unexpected visitor after her painting class today. A weasel wandered into her paint studio, walked within about three feet of her to apparently see what all the fuss was about. Thankfully, she gave him space, an open door and eventually he found his own way back outside after his class audit. 😂 So what should you do when wildlife unexpectedly wanders inside? 🐾 Stay calm. The animal is probably much more interested in finding a way out than hanging around with you. 🐾 Give them space. Don't chase, corner or try to grab them. 🐾 Put pets somewhere safe. 🐾 Close doors to other rooms if possible so the animal doesn't venture farther inside. 🐾 Give them one obvious way out. Open an exterior door, dim the lights, quiet the room and step away. 🐾 Don't offer food. We don't want an accidental visitor deciding they've discovered a new restaurant. 🐾 If the animal appears injured, sick or won't leave, contact a wildlife rehabilitator or local wildlife professional for guidance in your area. And once everyone is safely outside, figure out how your visitor got in. Before closing up any entry points, make sure there aren't babies or other animals still using the space. We don't want to separate a family while trying to prevent another visitor from signing up for the next class. Wild animals don't always need us to rescue them. Sometimes the kindest thing we can do is give them space, give them an exit and let them be wild. ❤️ Remember, if you ever get an unexpected visitor, you have access to the Paws & Wings Rescue Finder in the Classroom to help you and the animal. What wild animal has unexpectedly wandered into your home, garage, barn or workplace?

I know some of you have been missing me. I have just spent the last 9 glorious days in vacation mode. Today will be my last day to just feel detached from the to-do list. Butterfly flew in for a visit, and we filled our joy plate with waterfall visits, morning walks in state parks, strolls through statues, and days on an island. You can see why it’s hard for me to reattach. ❤️ But I’m staying detached for one last day. I’ll pull a few things back together, but I’ll also be heading to my friend’s place to continue playing with Unicorn Spit. I’ll see you soon, and I’ll bring a little drumming music with me. 🥁❤️

I am beyond excited to share that Empowering Animals is now officially recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity! 🎉🐾 Our tax-exempt status is effective August 24, 2026, and qualifying donations made to Empowering Animals are tax-deductible. What started as a way to bring animal lovers together, learn about incredible organizations, raise awareness, and help animals wherever we can is growing into something I honestly never imagined when I started. And now, Empowering Animals is officially a nonprofit. This doesn’t change who we are or why we’re here. We’re still going to learn, laugh, probably cry sometimes, discover amazing animals and the people protecting them, and find ways to make a real difference for the animals. And this new exempt status has opened up some exciting new doors and new ways for us to help. Thank you to every single person who has joined this community, participated, donated, voted, shared a story, and loved the animals. Together, we are empowering animals as an official nonprofit organization! 👏❤️🐾