Animal Hero Foundation's Susan Hargreaves Draws Attention to Humane Living with Theme-Park-Sized Vision

One cannot truly advocate for change unless they know what is at stake; Susan Hargreaves, founder of the Animal Hero Kids Foundation, author, educator and animal activist and rehabilitator has been striving to bring forth greater awareness for over 40 years now to what is happening to animals worldwide, and what each of us can do to truly make a difference.

Garnering support from well-known names including Sir Paul McCartney, Dr. Jane Goodall, Billie Eilish’s mother Maggie Baird and Joaquin Phoenix, Hargreaves presents interactive programs at schools where she reads from her books, the Veganza Animal Heroes Series and Animal Hero Kids Voices for the Voiceless, that have true stories relayed from children and teens and a chapter written by Sir Paul McCartney. All of her books and presentations, she explains, carry one purpose, to help bring awareness to the need for all species of animals to be saved from danger. “Since 1980, I have been trying to foster empathy and have people become aware of what is really happening to animals,” says Hargreaves.

Hargreaves, an immigrant from north of England who now lives in Palm Beach, has an early childhood education background that contributed to her wanting to begin her focus reaching out to children, but she was also a child when she realized she wanted to become a vegan and save animals from being killed for our supper.

“When I was 9 years old, my aunt worked at a hatchery and I saw the male chicks killed as soon as they were hatched,” says Hargreaves, who adds how she saw this and as a child you look to the adults to do what is seemingly right and good. She refers to this experience as an “awakening” moment for her. “It changed my life and I became obsessed with not wanting this to happen to a single animal ever again.” Hargreaves says she had a full circle moment though when she went back to where the hatchery was, and instead of the place she knew as a child, it was replaced with a school where she was now speaking for animal advocacy. “It took a traumatic occurrence and evolved into a dramatic success,” explains Hargreaves. “I felt it was a sign of the world changing.” She adds that her favorite thing to do is school assembly programs. “Children are naturally kind and want to help animals, no matter what type of animal- a pig, dog or elephant, they cheer for all of them being saved,” says Hargreaves.

Her outreach, however, extends beyond children as she gives talks to college students with the award-winning film, The Heart Whisperer, which she is featured in. “I ask the students how they feel American animals are treated before the film, and then I ask them how they feel the animals are treated after they have viewed the film.”

Hargreaves says her mission is to educate all ages and to provide accessible information on how we each can do our part and incorporate a lifestyle of veganism.

Her work is all volunteer-based and all donations go toward the programs she offers, which include free vegan food, books and presentations. She also has been promoting a vegan diet and goes to foster group homes to teach the children how to cook and shop vegan. An award has also been created and awarded for the past 11 years, she says, for young people who have been taking steps toward saving animals.

“Our budget is small but our effect is global, and our mission is huge,” says Hargreaves.

Hargreaves comments that she is known for being relentless, but that this is her superpower. “You have to keep moving forward, onward. I am always reevaluating if what I am teaching is effective and it’s the sometimes coined “obsessed,” but the obsessed often get things done.”

Hargreaves also has a big dream that she is working toward. She wants to create a theme park. Yes, you read that correctly. She wants to create a Veganza Animal Heroes World Theme Park that features all different kinds of animals and is an “epic, immersive experience.” And this is not just a dream because she has her eyes on a specific piece of land. Featured on islandernews.com, Hargreaves has asked the Miami mayor to consider replacing the Miami Seaquarium that has run into trouble with animal advocacy groups with what she has envisioned, a park that will include water rides, vegan food and also characters from her series. Hargreaves says if she doesn’t acquire this piece of land, she is not giving up and will look toward other areas where she can hopefully bring her vision to life. Hargreaves also has another book in her series being released soon titled “Veganza Animal Heroes Guide to Save Animals and the Earth.”

“I feel like I haven’t reached the animal saving jackpot yet,” says Hargreaves. “I remain determined.”

To learn more about Susan Hargreaves, veganism and her quest to save animals and educate all ages, please visit animalherokids.org.

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