PRE-ANIMAL ACTIVIST WEEK
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
Apply by: April 28, 2025
What is P.A.A.W.?
Pre-Animal Activist Week (P.A.A.W.) is APEX's flagship program designed to ignite the animal advocacy movement by centering Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) social justice activists. This immersive, empowering, and entirely free multi-day experience is for those who are already passionate about justice but have not yet incorporated animal liberation into their work.
P.A.A.W. invites you to explore the intersections of human and animal oppression through a decolonial and collective liberation lens. Held in the vibrant Atlanta, GA area, the event creates space for radical learning, grassroots engagement, and community building that connects the fight for animal rights to broader movements for justice.
This isn’t about a surface-level introduction—we’re talking bold, transformative learning and praxis. If you’re ready to expand your activism, challenge oppressive systems, and ultimately fight for total liberation, P.A.A.W. is for you.
Why Should You Join?
Centering BIPOC Advocates
This program is exclusively for non-vegan BIPOC individuals, with the goal of making animal liberation advocacy more inclusive and intersectional. We believe in amplifying the voices of those who are often excluded from these spaces.Radical Programming
P.A.A.W. takes a no-compromises approach to social, racial, and animal justice. Explore concepts like “animalization” and the ways in which exploitation of animals mirrors and reinforces the oppression of marginalized peoples. Highlights of the experience include:Workshops and training sessions on intersectional animal activism.
Guest speakers from intersecting movements.
Grassroots activism opportunities in local Atlanta communities.
Intentional spaces for reflection, collaboration, and dialogue.
Community and Collaboration
Join 20 like-minded advocates from across the country. Build meaningful connections with comrades who share a commitment to justice and liberation, all while learning from an experienced team of advisors who are deeply rooted in the work of intersectional activism.Fully Plant-Based Experience
All meals—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks—will be provided and are fully plant-based. This reflects a shared commitment to rejecting the exploitation of animals in all forms, including food, clothing, entertainment, research, and labor, while fostering a holistic approach to liberation and care for all beings. (We kindly ask participants to avoid bringing items like leather, wool, silk, or body care products tested on animals when possible, but we understand this may not be feasible for everyone—please just do your best.)
Key Details
July 28 – August 2, 2025
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Deadline to Apply: Monday, April 28, 2025
Eligibility:Must be a non-vegan BIPOC individual.
Must be passionate about social justice and open to exploring animal liberation through this lens.
Cost:FREE to attend, including housing, meals, and program materials.
(Travel costs to Atlanta, GA, are the responsibility of participants. However, we understand that travel can be a barrier, and we’ll do our best to assist those in need with limited travel support, assessed on a case-by-case basis and dependent on our budget.)
Your Commitment
By joining P.A.A.W., you commit to stepping into a space of learning and action that challenges systems of oppression at every level. Veganism isn’t a trend or a diet—it’s a decolonial approach to liberating all beings.
Whether you’re showing up for the planet, for your communities, or for the trillions of animals exploited every year, P.A.A.W. will give you the tools to stand in solidarity with all sentient life.
Who Should Apply?
If you are a BIPOC social justice advocate who’s curious about veganism and the connections between human and animal oppression, this is your opportunity. If you don’t qualify, we still need your help! Share this with someone in your life who might be the perfect fit. Justice is collective, and allyship means connecting others to spaces where they can thrive.
What Past Participants Are Saying:
P.A.A.W. was life-changing. I came in curious, and I left as an advocate. The connections I made, the tools I learned, and the lens of liberation I now have will stay with me forever."
This event taught me how animals are embedded in every struggle we face and gave me the confidence to bring this understanding to my work."
Apply today!
The countdown is on—we’re calling forward the visionaries who will rewrite the future of liberation. Space is limited to 20 participants, so don’t wait. Apply by April 28, 2025, and be ready to join us for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.