Help me celebrate my 49th birthday by supporting We Animals

Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Fundraiser

For my 49th birthday, I'm raising $14,900 to ensure we continue our strong storytelling and partnerships into 2026. 

In the photo above, I'm spending time with my namesake, Jo-Anne! She was rescued by Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary, and the photo was taken by Bridget Laudien.

  • $8,702

    Raised

  • $14,900

    Goal

  • 40

    Supporters

Recent Transactions

  • Anonymous

    $49.00 / Yesterday

    Happy birthday, Jo-Anne! I love how much heart you put into what you do. Please keep going :)

  • Richard Bak

    $15.00 / 2 days ago

  • Phillip Sanford

    $490.00 / 2 days ago

    In a century people will look back at our treatment of animals and ask "How could they?" Jo and her colleagues are candles in a dark night of animal abuse.

  • Koen Margodt

    $115.00 / 2 days ago

    You are not allowed to become older, Jo! The world needs you and We Animals so much, unveiling how people abuse animals and throwing some rays of light on those animals who have found a new life in one of the wonderful sanctuaries. Happy, happy birthday and thanks for all you and your team are doing! Koen

  • Anonymous

    $200.00 / 3 days ago

    Thank you for all that you do for the animals, and Happy Birthday!

  • Anonymous

    $400.00 / 3 days ago

    Wishing you a very happy birthday, Jo! Thank you for all you are doing, and for your everpresent ability to inspire us and urge us all to act with kindness and knowledge - for the animals.

  • Paula Gilthorpe

    $49.00 / 3 days ago

    Happy Birthday Jo! You are an amazing person!

  • Javier Amores

    $149.49 / 3 days ago

  • M C De BRUIJN GREVE

    $1,000.00 / 3 days ago

    Without the hard, and often risky, work of Jo-Anne McArthur and her remarkable We Animals team, the world would know far less about how we use — and misuse — animals. Their courage brings hidden stories to light, giving a voice to those who no longer have one. Please continue supporting their work, so these raw and necessary truths can keep being told.

  • Lynn Kennedy

    $25.00 / 4 days ago

    I appreciate the work of We Animals in the fight for animal rights. I don't know how the photojournalists do it, and keep doing it, every day. I love that this is a Canadian organization, with input from around the world. We are One Community.

  • Carlos Garcia

    $100.00 / 4 days ago

    As per the suggested donation amount, I have just contributed in anticipation of your 100th birthday. I hope I will be still around to witness that milestone. Your creation, now expanding across the globe, has united an army of talented photojournalists who are privileged to be mentored by you. It is already outliving you. May you be well and safe.

  • Cara and Chase Schwalbach

    $100.00 / 4 days ago

    You rock Jo-Anne. Happy birthday!!

  • Robin Ridley

    $25.00 / 4 days ago

    Happy 49th, Jo-Anne! I'm continually inspired by your invaluable work, your integrity, authenticity…and of course, your commitment to helping all animals...including "we humans." ;-) Here's to hitting even *more* milestones in 2026!

  • Anonymous

    $49.49 / 4 days ago

  • Anonymous

    $490.00 / 4 days ago

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY FRIEND!! sorry im lousy at emails you can always text or call appreciate you!!!!!

  • Cailen LaBarge

    $25.00 / 4 days ago

    Happy birthday, Jo! It's been wonderful to see all that you and We Animals have accomplished over the years. Cheers xx

  • Laura Potts

    $10.00 monthly / 4 days ago

    Valued At: $120.00

  • Alka Chandna

    $149.00 / 4 days ago

    Happy birthday, Jo-Anne! Many thanks to you and your talented team for shedding light on the exploitation of animals. I'm so grateful for the resource you've built for the animal protection community! <3

  • Radhika Subramanyan

    $25.00 / 6 days ago

  • Anonymous

    $1,045.00 / 6 days ago

  • Serge Paquette

    $149.00 / 6 days ago

    Thank you for your courageous work!

  • Nicole Fich

    $510.00 / 7 days ago

    Happy birthday Jo! Thank you for all you do to help animals. <3

  • Dolores Proubasta

    $700.00 / 7 days ago

  • Laura Hart

    $25.00 / 7 days ago

    Happiest of birthdays to you, Jo-Anne. I have learned so much about how to advocate effectively for animals through your example. Thank you for your work! 🩷 you and We Animals!!

  • Val & Will Aitchison

    $700.00 / 7 days ago

About Help me celebrate my 49th birthday by supporting We Animals

Hello friends, colleagues, and family!

I’ve made it a tradition to celebrate my birthday by raising money for my beloved organization, We Animals. I can’t stop doing it because you all keep flocking to support! I turn 49 this December 23rd. 

Would you consider celebrating with me by supporting my birthday fundraiser? 

I am ridiculously fortunate and I have what I need in life, but I will always need support in keeping my non-profit organization going, which is sustained by financial gifts and grants. Any birthday gift you give this year will go into our assignments, storytelling, the incredible resource that is our stock site, and our daily operations. 

Getting people to look at and consider animals is a truly long-term project. We do it through photos, films, and stories, and we do it with our partners. Sometimes there are immediate wins, which means we’ve helped create change for animals by partnering with campaigners. We love these wins! But we also understand that our work is by and large about systems and culture change, and that takes more time.

Our work keeps creating small and large victories for animals, but as you know, things are incredibly urgent. We have strategic plans to keep pushing the needle on what we can do and creating more impact. We need your help in doing it. 

And we really are doing so much! Pioneering and supporting the genre of animal photojournalism. Taking photos with partners and collaborators, or on solo missions, all over the world. 

We lead. We learn. We keep a close eye on when and how we need to adapt. We dislike rigidity and aim for nuanced and layered work. We don’t have all the answers that will lead to animal liberation, but we are so happy to be playing an important role in the overall work that heads in that direction. I’m not led by blind or naive hope. 

The team and I are laser-focused on action that can create change for animals, and my energies lie there (otherwise: exhaustion, regular existential crises, etc…). I remain hopeful and I hope you will, too. 

For my 49th birthday, I’m aiming to raise $14,900 to commemorate We Animals’ six years as an organization, and to help ensure we can do lots of important work in 2026. 

I love lists, so here are six reasons I’m asking for your support for We Animals this year (be happy it’s a list of six, not 49): 

1) We’re going to have more photographers and filmmakers in the field. Assignments ensure that animal uses and abuses are not kept in the dark. 

2) We are going to achieve broader reach via what I call The Fab Four partnerships: We Animals + Campaign partner + Legal collaboration + Media outlet. Collaboration for the win!

3) We are going to mentor more photographers. I love this work in particular. For the students and the teacher (me!), the exploring and learning never ends. 

4) We’re rolling out subsidized assignments so grassroots NGOs can still get the kind of visuals that change laws, minds, and menus. Your donation turns “we wish we could” into “we did”. 

5) We’re investing in skill-building for NGOs and APJs, turning good advocates into brilliant visual storytellers. You’re not just funding images; you’re building a stronger movement.

6) We have a new task force to focus on AI, so that we will keep pace with these massive technological and cultural changes. 

Exciting? 

Feel inspired to join me on this mission? 

I’d love your support. And so would the animals we’re fighting for!

There are a few ways to support this 49th birthday fundraiser. 

I’ll be so grateful for any amount you can give today, or you can make it fun by donating $4.90, $49, $490, or even $4,900 for my 49th :) 

Or you can make a donation of $125 or more and receive a beautiful We Animals print. More details here.

Thank you for helping me help animals, and making my 49th birthday wishes come true.

Jo

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