An Animal Rights/Vegan Activists' Strategies Article used with permission from All-Creatures.org

The National Link Coalition shares some thoughts on finding joy while serving a heavy cause from Anna Ludvik, founder of the Australian organization Lucy's Project, which provides support for human and non-human animals experiencing domestic violence.

Words of Inspiration from Down Under
From October 2025 LINK-Letter, The National Link Coalition
October 2025

Photo from Canva

In recent LINK-Letters, we've spotlighted the work of Lucy's Project, an NGO based in New South Wales, Australia, that works to ensure that all people and animals experiencing domestic and family violence can access the help and support that they need (See the April 2025 and March 2018 LINK-Letters).

Its founder, Anna Ludvik, recently shared with us some inspiring advice as to how people working in this emotionally challenging environment can keep going. We thought we'd share this with you, as her ideas are just as relevant on this side of the planet -- without any kookaburras! -- as they are Down Under:

“I don’t know where you are, but here in the Northern Rivers NSW, Spring has sprung, the flowers are blooming, animals are coming out of hibernation and the sun is shining. There is nothing I love more than relishing the good moments of life. Life can get us down, so we might as well boogie given the chance.

“I will always be incredibly serious and passionate about this cause. How could I not be? I know that until protections for animal victims of violence are in place, human life is also at risk.

“I know that so many of the protections animals need are not ‘rocket science’. I know they are utterly achievable with good advocacy. A tweak here, a provision there. I mean, look at the difference increasing the number of animal-friendly rentals has had in NSW?

“So many more people can now find safe accommodation with their animals after leaving an animal-friendly crisis facility. That means more people and animals are safe -- permanently.

“Look at the difference having coercive control amendments built into legislation has had on legitimizing and recognizing animal abuse as a form of coercive control? Look at the increase of animal-inclusive domestic and family violence crisis shelters across the country, listen to the conversations around the country about The Link.

“All of these advocacy milestones have had serious beneficial impact on Australia in a permanent way -- but none of them have had a massive cost or required huge overhaul of systems. The work Lucy’s Project does in our CARE (Collaboration, Advocacy, Research and Education) space just makes good sense. We apply reason and logic to systems to improve efficiency and safety outcomes for Australian humans and animals experiencing violence and abuse. With relatively little, we make big changes - that will last a lifetime.

Finding Joy in the Everyday

“That said, if you know me on a personal level, you’ll know there’s nothing I like to do more than laugh and be silly. How on earth else are we meant to survive?

“I have faced some pretty gnarly moments in life, I’ve dedicated my life to a pretty heavy cause. If I think about it all too much I think I’d drown in sorrow. Let’s be honest, sometimes I do.

“The way I cope is by seeking fun whenever I can, seeing joy, taking a moment out of an ordinary moment to find the extraordinary. Watching bubbles blown out of my children’s hands and seeing the whole park reflected like a mini oil painting rendered in technicolor above my head. I laugh at myself; I revel in the joy of an imperfect world. A dirty dog covered in dark smelly fun (mud), a cheeky kookaburra stealing worms from off my garden fork… that’s my strength to keep going every day. To make a world of increased peace, less suffering.

“To effect change- but starting with me. I will not let them win. I will not let the darkness steal my light.”

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Posted on All-Creatures.org: October 21, 2025
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