San Antonio Zoo’s “Cry Me a Cockroach” Fundraiser Returns for Valentine’s Day

The Texas Zoo Tradition That Refuses to Be Normal

A few years ago, my sister-in-law casually mentioned one of the strangest Valentine’s Day traditions I had ever heard of.

“Did you know there’s a zoo in Texas where you can name a cockroach after your ex and have it fed to an animal?”

I laughed. I assumed it was a joke. It was not.

Every year since, it resurfaces right on schedule, and every year it makes me laugh again. At one point, a close friend was going through a truly awful breakup, the kind that requires snacks, long walks, and friends willing to do something a little ridiculous. We named a cockroach after her ex, Kurt, and collectively decided it was the most satisfying group activity we’d attempted in ages.

It was silly. It was cathartic. And it worked far better than most advice, which is exactly why I had to share this event.

So, What Is Cry Me a Cockroach?

Officially, Cry Me a Cockroach is an annual Valentine’s Day fundraiser run by the San Antonio Zoo. Participants symbolically name a feeder item after an ex, a nemesis, or anyone who feels relevant, then donate it to be fed to one of the zoo’s animal residents.

There are three options:

• A cockroach

• A rat

• A veggie option for vegetarian animals


Each donation supports the zoo’s animal care, conservation, and education programs. Participation is open to adults 18 and older, and anyone can take part, regardless of where they live. What starts as a joke quietly turns into something genuinely useful.

How It Works (And Why People Love It)

The process is intentionally simple. You choose your option, submit a name, make a small donation, and receive a downloadable Valentine’s card along with a themed video featuring one of the zoo’s animals.

That’s it.

There’s no public shaming, no name attached, and no awkward explanation required. You can involve friends or keep it entirely to yourself. On Valentine’s Day, the zoo shares curated feeding videos across its social channels, which is how this fundraiser became a yearly internet tradition rather than a one-time novelty.

Why This Fundraiser Keeps Going Viral

On paper, Cry Me a Cockroach sounds like a gimmick. In reality, it sticks around because it’s oddly satisfying. It gives people a way to laugh at heartbreak, redirect a fleeting grudge, and do something small but useful at the same time. The humor is obvious, the rules are simple, and nothing about it feels mean-spirited.

Over the years, it’s become a low-pressure alternative for anyone who finds traditional Valentine’s celebrations unhelpful. No speeches. No expectations. Just a donation, a laugh, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing it helped support the zoo.

Photo credit: San Antonio Zoo

Yes, the Animals Are Treated Humanely

This comes up every year, so it’s worth addressing clearly.

Rodents used in feedings are pre-frozen and part of regular, scheduled diets. Cockroaches are sourced from professional breeders and cared for by the zoo’s reptile department. Vegetarian animals receive leafy greens through the veggie option.

The zoo follows strict animal welfare standards and holds multiple major accreditations, including American Humane certification. No animals are harmed for spectacle. The fundraiser simply reframes existing feeding routines into a creative donation format.

When and How to Participate

Cry Me a Cockroach runs each February leading up to Valentine’s Day. Donations are made online, and participation is open internationally. Feeding videos are shared on Valentine’s Day through the zoo’s official social media accounts.

Not a Cockroach Fan? You Can Also Dine With Hippos

If feeding a cockroach named after your ex isn’t your style but you still love the zoo, there’s another option.

This February, the San Antonio Zoo will also host its Wild at Heart Dining Experience, a Valentine’s event designed for people who want romance without revenge. Guests enjoy cocktails and appetizers near the hippo habitat, followed by a candlelit dinner inside the hippo viewing cave.

It’s quiet, surprisingly cozy, and features zero insects named after former partners.

Photo credit: San Antonio Zoo

If Valentine’s Day makes you nostalgic, irritated, amused, or all three at once, this may be the most emotionally efficient donation you make all year. And if your group chat still talks about Kurt, you already know what to do.

FAQ: Cry Me a Cockroach at the San Antonio Zoo

What is Cry Me a Cockroach?


An annual Valentine’s Day fundraiser that lets participants name a feeder item after an ex and donate it to be fed to a zoo animal.

Who runs the fundraiser?


The San Antonio Zoo.

Do I have to live in Texas to participate?


No. The fundraiser is open worldwide.

What are the donation options and prices?

• Cockroach: $5

• Veggie option (for vegetarian animals): $5

• Rat: $15

What does my donation include?


A downloadable Valentine’s Day card and a themed Valentine’s video featuring a zoo animal.

Will my specific feeding be shown on video?


The zoo shares curated feeding videos publicly on Valentine’s Day. Participants also receive a themed animal video directly, though not every individual donation corresponds to a public clip.

Is this harmful to animals?


No. All feedings follow established animal care standards and humane practices.

Is my submission anonymous?


Yes. Names are not publicly linked to donors.

Is there a non-revenge Valentine’s option at the zoo?


Yes. The Wild at Heart dining experience offers a romantic alternative without the roaches.