How One Idea Grew Into a Movement
It Began with a Simple Goal
When Better Life for Animals began, the vision was simple.
Cheryl Moss wanted to find meaningful ways to help raise money for sanctuary animals. There wasn’t a large organization behind the idea. There wasn’t a foundation or a detailed roadmap. There was simply a desire to make life better for animals who had already endured more than their share of hardship.
Like many worthwhile journeys, the next steps unfolded one conversation at a time.
Listening to the People Doing the Work
One of the first projects was creating the Better Life for Animals podcast. The original goal was to introduce listeners to the remarkable men and women who have dedicated their lives to rescuing and caring for animals.
Over the past 18 months, we’ve had the privilege of interviewing sanctuary founders, veterinarians, advocates, educators, and compassionate leaders from around the world. While every story was unique, one message surfaced again and again.
Nearly every sanctuary was facing the same challenge.
They weren’t just caring for animals. They were constantly wondering how they would pay for hay, feed, veterinary care, fencing, repairs, and the countless expenses that come with providing lifelong sanctuary. Many founders were sacrificing their own financial security simply to keep their promises to the animals in their care.
It became clear that compassion alone wasn’t enough. Sanctuaries also needed practical, sustainable ways to fund their mission.
Turning Conversations into Action
That realization led to the creation of the Blueprint for Funding Animal Sanctuaries Summit.
Rather than focusing on short-term fundraising ideas, we brought together experienced professionals to share practical strategies that could help sanctuaries build stronger, more sustainable organizations.
From the beginning, Cheryl made an important decision. The summit would be completely free. We wanted every sanctuary, regardless of its financial situation, to have access to information that could help secure its future.
Although registration was free, we invited attendees to make a voluntary donation if they wished to support the mission. Their generosity made an immediate difference.
Because of those donations and some very generous sponsors, Cheryl was able to give more than $2,500 back to the sanctuaries represented by our presenters. Each participating sanctuary received $300 to help care for the animals they had rescued.
It was a powerful reminder that when compassionate people come together, everyone benefits—especially the animals.
Preserving the Knowledge
As the summit came together, another question naturally followed.
What if this valuable information didn’t disappear after the presentations ended? That question became the inspiration for The Animal Sanctuary Funding Blueprint.
The book brings together practical fundraising strategies, visibility ideas, and lessons from experienced professionals into one resource that sanctuary founders can return to whenever they need guidance or inspiration.
We’re also developing an app that will provide tools, resources, and practical ways for sanctuaries to gain more visibility so more people discover their work and become lifelong supporters.
Compassion in Action
As Better Life for Animals continued to grow, another opportunity emerged. We wanted people to connect with sanctuary residents as individuals, not statistics. That vision became Compassion in Action.
Each month, we share the stories, photos, and videos of sanctuary residents while providing direct financial support to the sanctuaries that care for them. By introducing people to these remarkable animals, we hope to inspire greater compassion and encourage more people to support the sanctuaries that give them a second chance.
In its very first month, Cheryl donated nearly $2,000 through Compassion in Action, helping participating sanctuaries while introducing thousands of people to animals they might never have otherwise known.
Investing in the Next Generation
Financial sustainability is only one part of creating lasting change.
Cheryl has always believed that compassion begins with education.
That belief inspired the Youth Summit, co-hosted with Danielle Hanosh.
The summit brings together young people with inspiring speakers who encourage kindness, compassion, and thoughtful action on behalf of animals. By helping the next generation understand the lives of animals and the important role sanctuaries play, we hope to inspire future advocates who will continue this work for decades to come.
One Step Led to the Next
Looking back, none of these initiatives were part of a carefully designed master plan.
The podcast led to conversations. Those conversations revealed a need. The need inspired the Blueprint for Funding Animal Sanctuaries Summit. The summit became a book. The book expanded into an app. The desire to tell animals’ stories became Compassion in Action. The commitment to education inspired the Youth Summit.
Each step has grown naturally by listening, learning, and asking one simple question: How can we make a greater difference for animals?
Our Mission Continues
Everything we do at Better Life for Animals is guided by the same purpose.
- Raise awareness about the incredible work animal sanctuaries do every day.
- Help more animals leave the food system and find safety in sanctuary.
- Provide practical education and resources that help sanctuaries become financially sustainable.
- Direct financial support to the organizations that devote their lives to caring for rescued animals.
If this mission speaks to you, we invite you to become part of it.
Share our work with friends and family
Tell someone about the remarkable sanctuaries making a difference every day. And if you’re able, please consider making a donation to Better Life for Animals.
Every dollar helps us educate, inspire, support sanctuaries, and create more opportunities for animals to live the safe and compassionate lives they deserve.
Together, we can build a future where compassion doesn’t stop with good intentions—it becomes meaningful action.
Donate now to help us continue our mission.
