About us
Florida Voices for Animals (FVA), sponsors of the Annual Tampa Bay VegFest, is a nonprofit organization. Our members work for the compassionate treatment of animals. Issues we're involved in: exploitation of animals in entertainment, on factory farms, and by breeders; protection of endangered wildlife; spay and neuter programs; reduction of domestic abuse and neglect of companion animals; promotion of plant-based diets; support of animal sanctuaries; and protection of the environment for all animals, human and nonhuman. Join us today to help create a gentler, more compassionate world! We hold lots of events in the Tampa Bay Area. Come to one of our pot lucks or dinners and meet renowned advocates for animals. Help us with leafleting or education of schoolchildren on animal rights and plant-based diets. Pitch in to help at one of our vegan bake sales or other advocacy events. Come to our celebrated ThanksVegan dinner. Join us to get involved, and meet lots of other caring, compassionate people like you!
Visit us at www.floridavoicesforanimals.org for more information about us and be sure to read our FVA Volunteer Manual on how to help us educate the public at our events, demonstrations and protests.
Featured event
Have a Heart: FVA's 31st Annual Awards Dinner & Silent Auction Fundraiser
Join us for Have a Heart: FVA's 31st Annual Awards Dinner & Silent Auction Fundraiser on Sunday, February 22nd from 1:30 - 5:30 PM seats are limited, grab your spot in advance.
Speaker: Gene Baur, President & Co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, will speak on: "Changing Hearts & Minds about Animals & Food"
Catering by Chef Panos Ly, World Vegan Cuisine, who will provide an amazing buffet spread with; soup, salad, 2 appetizers, 3 entrees and 2 desserts. Options for raw and GF will be offered.
Cost: $50 in advance no later than 2/13/26. $65 at the door. Students $35. Volunteers (Tampa Bay Veg Fest or other 2025 event) & current paid members* (paid in 2025 or with your Have A Heart tickets), $40 until 2/13/26. *Note: memberships start at $30
SPONSOR A TABLE OF EIGHT: three $500 tables available that will be placed at the front and will be first in line at the buffet.
RSVPs are NOT complete until payment is received. Seating is limited, please pay online or mail check asap.
Ticket link https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/20260222-have-a-heart-dinner-and-silent-auction
Mail check to:
FVA, PO BOX 17523, Tampa, FL 33682
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Speaker Bio
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GENE BAUR
For nearly 40 years, Farm Sanctuary has combated the harms of factory farming and encouraged people to see farm animals as friends, not food. Learn about the issues, and a small all-volunteer organization funded by selling vegan hotdogs outside of Grateful Dead concerts, grew and inspired an international movement.
Gene has been hailed as "the conscience of the food movement" by Time Magazine. Since the mid-1980s, he has worked to end factory farming and advocated for a just and compassionate food system. Gene is the author of two best-selling books, and his work has educated millions and inspired an international farm sanctuary movement.
Upcoming events
27
FVA Biweekly Hike&Vegan Eats: Feb 21-Wilderness Preserve → Divine Leaf Vegan
Morris Bridge Biking Area, 12651 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa, FL, USWhat to expect
Join Florida Voices for Animals for a refreshing biweekly hike/nature walk followed by a community meal at a local vegan spot. This series helps us:
1. connect with like-minded people
2. support vegan restaurants (many are closing)
3. boost physical + mental health in a fun, low-pressure wayEvent plan
Start time: 8:30 AM sharp- Meet & greet (8:30–8:40 AM)
Quick intros + route overview. - Group hike / walk (8:40–10:40 AM)
We’ll hike the Grandpa, Piglet, Misery, Indian, and Main Trails
Distance: ~5 miles
Duration: ~2 hours
Pace: easy-to-moderate, with regroup points so nobody gets left behind - Vegan restaurant hangout (around 11:00 AM)
After the hike, we’ll drive about 15 minutes to Divine Leaf Vegan for food and community time.
Details
📅 Date: Feb 21, 2026
⏰ Meet time: 8:30 AM (please arrive a few minutes early)
🅿️ Parking/Entry: $2 per vehicle
💳 Florida State Parks Annual Pass (optional): $60 Individual / $120 Family
🥾 Trail Location: Morris Bridge Biking Area
🏠 Address: 12651 Morris Bridge Rd, Thonotosassa, FL 33592
📍 Trail map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/f1PRf42ZC6bvhBmS8
🍽️ Restaurant: Divine Leaf Vegan
🏠 Address: 1821 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
📍 Restaurant link: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Divine+Leaf+Vegan+1821+Bruce+B+Downs+Blvd+Wesley+Chapel+FL+33544�
🚗 Drive time from trail to restaurant: ~15 minutesWhat to bring
Water, comfortable shoes, sunscreen/bug spray, and anything you need for the weather.Notes
Please RSVP so we can estimate restaurant seating.
Participants join at their own risk; follow trail rules and be respectful to wildlife.
Conversation about veganism/animal advocacy is welcome — we keep it respectful and inviting.
See you on the trail and at the table 🌱🥾Trail map for reference:
https://assets.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blteea73b27b731f985/bltc8e90fecdb5e237d/Morris%20Bridge%20Biking%20Area%20Trail%20Map6 attendees- Meet & greet (8:30–8:40 AM)
Have a Heart: FVA's 31st Annual Awards Dinner & Silent Auction Fundraiser
Carrollwood Recreation Center, 3515 McFarland Rd, Tampa, FL, USJoin us for Have a Heart: FVA's 31st Annual Awards Dinner & Silent Auction Fundraiser on Sunday, February 22nd from 1:30 - 5:30 PM seats are limited, grab your spot in advance.
Speaker: Gene Baur, President & Co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, will speak on: "Changing Hearts & Minds about Animals & Food"
Catering by Chef Panos Ly, World Vegan Cuisine, who will provide an amazing buffet spread with; soup, salad, 2 appetizers, 3 entrees and 2 desserts. Options for raw and GF will be offered.
Cost: $50 in advance no later than 2/13/26. $65 at the door. Students $35. Volunteers (Tampa Bay Veg Fest or other 2025 event) & current paid members* (paid in 2025 or with your Have A Heart tickets), $40 until 2/13/26. *Note: memberships start at $30
SPONSOR A TABLE OF EIGHT: three $500 tables available that will be placed at the front and will be first in line at the buffet.
RSVPs are NOT complete until payment is received. Seating is limited, please pay online or mail check asap.
Ticket link https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/20260222-have-a-heart-dinner-and-silent-auction
Mail check to:
FVA, PO BOX 17523, Tampa, FL 33682
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speaker Bio
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENE BAUR
For nearly 40 years, Farm Sanctuary has combated the harms of factory farming and encouraged people to see farm animals as friends, not food. Learn about the issues, and a small all-volunteer organization funded by selling vegan hotdogs outside of Grateful Dead concerts, grew and inspired an international movement.
Gene has been hailed as "the conscience of the food movement" by Time Magazine. Since the mid-1980s, he has worked to end factory farming and advocated for a just and compassionate food system. Gene is the author of two best-selling books, and his work has educated millions and inspired an international farm sanctuary movement.15 attendees
Vegan Potluck & Karaoke
Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa, 11400 Morris Bridge Rd, Tampa, FL, USJoin Florida Voices for Animals (FVA) every 1st Friday of the month Vegan Potluck & Karaoke.
We'll be at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa's Multi-Purpose Building (MPB), 11400 Morris Bridge Rd, Tampa FL 33637
Bring a Vegan dish to share along with a 3x5 card listing the item & ingredients.
Also bring your best singing voice to share with friends & family. Admit it - you do it in your car, so you can do it here!
6:30-7:30 Potluck
7:30-9:00 Karaoke1 attendee
Past events
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