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Free Our Wellness and Liberation Retreat for Animal Advocates


  • Metta Meditation Retreat Center 3864 420th Avenue Janesville, MN, 56048 United States (map)

Please mark your calendar for June 28-30 for the Our Wellness and Liberation (OWL) Retreat at the Metta Meditation Center in Janesville, Minnesota. Sign up here to receive an email message when registration opens.

​As a person who cares about animals, you may be traumatized by witnessing abused, neglected, or abandoned animals. Animal lovers who deeply empathize with our fellow Earthlings frequently feel distress, trauma, and anger.

This retreat is designed to help animal advocates take better care of themselves and be more successful in their activism. We will help you address compassion fatigue & burnout, learn about sustainable activism, better manage feelings of anger & frustration, de-stress, and connect with other activists that share your struggles. You will learn tools for self care.

The retreat is open to anybody who considers themselves an animal advocate, whether you rescue dogs, promote veganism, lobby for humane legislation at the capitol, protest fur stores, or help animals in any number of other ways. We welcome you at whatever stage you are at. We welcome everybody regardless of their religious or spiritual beliefs or practices, or lack thereof.

The retreat will include 6 vegan meals, guided meditations, mindful movement, 2 nights of lodging, a view of the lake, beautiful nature trails, and more. The retreat will be free of charge. You must apply to attend in advance. If you are accepted, there is a fee if you do not attend. Donations are welcome.

The retreat will be held at the Metta Meditation Center in Janesville, Minnesota, which is about 70 miles from Minneapolis.

Most animal advocates have nothing to gain from their activism besides the satisfaction of helping others in need. Many are volunteers who spend their own money and use their own free time to help animals. If you are willing and able to help cover the costs of lodging, provide a stipend for instructors, and cover the costs of the food, you can make a contribution here. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Please mark your calendars for June 28-30 and sign up here to receive an email message when registration opens.

Updates on the retreat will be posted on our OWL Retreat page.