For those of us fortunate enough to have lived long lives – to have raised a family, built a career, and experienced the world – there comes a moment when we ask ourselves, What’s next? I’ve been asking myself this for many years. As an animal lover, a devoted dog parent, and a passionate advocate for the vegan lifestyle, the answer became clear: I want to be a voice for the voiceless.
A Personal Awakening
Like so many people, I grew up eating meat and dairy without giving much thought to where it came from. It was just part of life, ingrained in our culture and daily routines. But at some point, I began to question it. I started learning about the suffering animals endure in factory farms, testing laboratories, and the entertainment industry. I learned about their intelligence, their emotions, and their ability to feel fear and joy just like the dogs and cats we love.
Once I saw the truth, I couldn’t unsee it. Over time, I woke up. I like to say that when compassion and care step ahead of convenience and conditioning, real change becomes possible. That was
my journey, and I believe it’s one that many others can take as well.
Visiting my first animal sanctuary was a defining moment. Seeing animals who had been rescued from cruelty – many arriving weak, injured, or terrified – slowly regain trust and embrace life again was incredibly moving. It reinforced my belief that sanctuaries are more than places of refuge; they are powerful reminders of resilience, second chances, and the compassion we owe to all living beings.
The Harsh Reality of Captivity
For animals trapped in factory farms, laboratories, roadside zoos, and the exotic pet trade, life is defined by suffering. They are denied space, fresh air, proper nutrition, and companionship. Many endure painful mutilations, forced breeding, and extreme confinement.
Pigs are crammed into gestation crates so small they can’t even turn around. Chickens are packed into cages, never feeling the sun on their feathers. Exotic animals are sold as pets, only to be abandoned when their owners realize the impossible task of caring for them. Captivity isn’t just cruel – it strips these beings of their very nature.
The Journey to Safety
For the lucky few, a second chance arrives through rescue operations and sanctuaries. Some rescues are dramatic – cows leaping slaughterhouse fences, pigs fleeing transport trucks. Others are quiet – animals transferred from closing facilities, surrendered by owners, or saved from cruelty cases.
But rescue is just the beginning. Many arrive traumatized, malnourished, and fearful. Sanctuaries provide medical care, nutritious food, and safe environments where they can finally heal. Beyond physical recovery, they offer emotional rehabilitation, allowing animals to rediscover trust and comfort in the presence of their caretakers and fellow rescues.
Healing and Redemption in Sanctuary
Sanctuaries are places of transformation. The stories of rescued animals learning to trust again are some of the most powerful testaments to the impact of compassionate care. Animals who once cowered in fear begin to approach caretakers with curiosity. Those who never knew what it meant to graze, scratch, or root in the dirt finally get to embrace their natural behaviors. Bonds form between rescued animals who find companionship and security in one another.
Witnessing these changes firsthand is a reminder of the power of kindness. Every sanctuary resident represents countless others who never got the chance to escape. They are living proof that with care and patience, animals can heal from past trauma and live full, happy lives.
Shaping a Kinder Future
Experiencing what goes on at sanctuaries – the stories of animals who have endured unimaginable suffering yet found safety and healing – was the catalyst and inspiration behind my books. Seeing rescued animals take their first steps of freedom, watching them form bonds, and witnessing their resilience made me realize that their stories needed to be told. Not just for those who are already aware, but for children who are still forming their understanding of the world.
I believe that stories have the power to shape values. Too often, children grow up without questioning the traditions they inherit – whether it’s the food on their plate or the way animals are treated in industries that exploit them. My books serve as a bridge to a different perspective, helping young readers see animals as sentient beings who feel joy, fear, and love, just like we do.
It is my deepest hope that these books, with their vivid imagery and simple yet powerful messages, inspire children to view animals with empathy and respect. I also hope they resonate with parents – those who choose to share these stories with their children and recognize the importance of instilling compassion from an early age.
We have an opportunity to teach the next generation that there is a better way – a way that is gentler, more compassionate, and mindful of the impact our choices have on animals, the planet, and our own well-being. Through storytelling, I aim to plant the seeds of awareness and empower young minds to make choices rooted in kindness.
What We Can Do to Help
While sanctuaries provide a safe haven, they cannot rescue every animal. That’s where we come in. Advocacy, education, and conscious choices can help end the cycle of captivity and suffering.
- Support Sanctuaries: Donate, volunteer, or sponsor an animal to contribute directly to their care.
- Educate Others: Share the stories of rescued animals to raise awareness about the realities of captivity.
- Adopt a Plant-Based Lifestyle: Reducing demand for factory-farmed products saves countless animals from suffering.
- Boycott Exploitative Industries: Avoid attractions that profit from animal captivity, such as circuses, marine parks, and roadside zoos.
The Urgency of Now
Time is of the essence. We no longer have the luxury of waiting. The planet is changing at an alarming rate, and countless animals continue to suffer needlessly. It breaks my heart, but it also fuels my determination.
We cannot retreat into the comfort of old habits and outdated traditions. The world needs change, and together, we can push the needle forward.
This website is committed to being a safe space for young minds to explore, learn, and understand the difference they can make when they choose kindness. My hope is that through knowledge and awareness, we can inspire action – because every compassionate choice moves us closer to a world where all beings are treated with dignity and respect.
A Future Built on Compassion
Every rescued animal is a symbol of hope – a reminder that with effort and compassion, we can change lives. Sanctuaries are more than shelters; they are beacons of a world where animals are
valued not for what they can provide but for who they are.
By supporting and advocating for animals, we move closer to a future where freedom isn’t a privilege – it’s a right.
Together, let’s create a world rooted in kindness.
About Cheryl Moss
Cheryl Moss is an author, podcast host, and passionate advocate for animals and plant-based living. Through her beautifully illustrated children’s books, she shares the untold stories of sanctuary animals, inspiring young readers to embrace kindness and compassion. As the host of Better Life for Animals: Tales of Sanctuary & Compassion, Cheryl amplifies the voices of activists, rescuers, and changemakers dedicated to animal welfare. She is committed to raising awareness, supporting sanctuaries, and helping create a more compassionate world—one story at a time. Learn more at BetterLifeForAnimals.com and enjoy her podcast at: BetterLifeForAnimals.com/podcast
Time is of the essence. We no longer have the luxury of waiting. The planet is changing at an alarming rate, and countless animals continue to suffer needlessly. It breaks my heart, but it also fuels my determination.
_
We cannot retreat into the comfort of old habits and outdated traditions. The world needs change, and together, we can push the needle forward.
_
This website is committed to being a safe space for young minds to explore, learn, and understand the difference they can make when they choose kindness. My hope is that through knowledge and awareness, we can inspire action—because every compassionate choice moves us closer to a world where all beings are treated with dignity and respect.
_
A Future Built on Compassion
_
Every rescued animal is a symbol of hope – a reminder that with effort and compassion, we can change lives. Sanctuaries are more than shelters; they are beacons of a world where animals are valued not for what they can provide but for who they are.
_
By supporting and advocating for animals, we move closer to a future where freedom isn’t a privilege – it’s a right.
_
Together, let’s create a world rooted in kindness.
_
Be sure to check out the current episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast at: BetterLifeForAnimals.com/podcast
_
The Better Life for Animals Podcast is dedicated to amplifying the voices of animal advocates, sanctuaries, and changemakers who are working toward a kinder, more compassionate world. Through inspiring stories, expert insights, and meaningful conversations, we shine a light on the efforts to rescue, protect, and advocate for animals.
_
Our mission is to educate, empower, and inspire action by providing a platform for vegan activists, ethical consumers, and animal welfare leaders to share their experiences, strategies, and passion for change. We believe that by raising awareness and offering practical solutions, we can help create a future where all beings are treated with dignity, respect, and care.
_
