About Us
Our mission is to build a mass movement for open rescue.
The Simple Heart Initiative is a nonprofit organization that uses storytelling, training, and impact litigation to build a world where animals are free from exploitation and cruelty.
Our Objectives
Simple, measurable goals that feed our mission
- 01
Achieve key legal precedents for the Right to Rescue across multiple jurisdictions
- 02
Support significant open rescues directly linked to our organizing and litigation efforts
- 03
Train the next generation of rescue advocates through workshops, consulting, and direct mentorship
- 04
Build a national network of 100,000+ supporters for open rescue and animal liberation
Our Team
The people behind the work
Co-founder
Wayne Hsiung
Animal rights lawyer · Organizer · Investigator
Wayne Hsiung is an animal rights lawyer, organizer, and investigator who has spent two decades exposing injustices in factory farming. A former professor at Northwestern School of Law, he co-founded The Simple Heart Initiative to build the legal and narrative infrastructure for a mass movement for open rescue.
Wayne has been repeatedly prosecuted for his open rescue work, and has turned each trial into a national platform for education about animal cruelty and the right of individuals to intervene. His newsletter, The Simple Heart, reaches over 81,000 subscribers.
Outside of his work, Wayne is a dedicated dog dad, which makes his commitment to the Ridglan rescue deeply personal.
Ready to take action?
Join thousands of volunteers in our latest campaign.