The San Antonio Zoo Lets You Name a Cockroach After Your Ex for Valentine’s Day
The San Antonio Zoo has turned Valentine’s Day into a small but memorable online tradition with its annual “Cry Me a Cockroach” fundraiser. For a modest donation, participants name a feeder insect or treat after a former partner, and zoo animals handle the follow-through during scheduled feedings.
There is no elaborate setup or explanation required. The idea lands instantly, which makes it easy to share and easier to laugh about. That simplicity is exactly why the fundraiser keeps resurfacing far beyond Texas every February.
How the 2026 Version Works
For Valentine’s Day 2026, the zoo adjusted the program to make participation more affordable and accessible. A $5 donation lets participants name either a cockroach or a vegetable, while the rat option costs $15. Each choice ends the same way, with the item served during an animal feeding. Donors receive a downloadable Valentine’s Day card and a themed video tied to the event.
The zoo also shares feeding clips across its social media platforms, which keeps the fundraiser visible without relying on paid promotion. Pricing dropped compared to earlier years, signaling a push toward volume rather than novelty upsells. Participation requires submitting a name online before Valentine’s Day, and the program is limited to adults 18 and older.
Why It Keeps Going Viral
Image via pexels/Erik Karits
The fundraiser is successful because it balances humor with restraint and never asks people to explain their backstory or overshare details, and that balance has paid off before. In a prior year, the zoo logged more than 8K donations coming in from all 50 states and over 30 countries. Those numbers explain why the event keeps returning. The concept scales well, needs minimal explanation, and generates consistent engagement during a crowded holiday calendar.
Social sharing does most of the heavy lifting. The idea of assigning a name and watching the outcome creates reactions without pushing people into uncomfortable territory. That reaction cycle keeps the fundraiser visible year after year.
More Than One Valentine’s Lane
Image via Pexels/Karola G
The zoo also uses February to reach people who want something lighter than revenge humor. Valentine’s programming includes a ticketed dining experience set inside the zoo, complete with cocktails, appetizers, and a dinner near animal habitats.
A separate singles night event leans into icebreakers, live entertainment, and themed drinks for adults looking to meet someone new. Those events happen alongside the cockroach fundraiser rather than competing with it. Together, they show how the zoo turns Valentine’s Day into a full slate of experiences instead of a single gimmick.
How It Started and Why It Stuck
The original version of “Cry Me a Cockroach” launched in early 2020 with live-streamed feedings and digital certificates. Even in its first year, the idea drew quick online reactions and social media chatter. That early response showed the zoo that it had found a repeatable format.
Over time, the mechanics tightened. Livestreams gave way to curated clips, pricing adjusted, and participation became easier. But the tone was consistent, and the fundraiser never tried to sound deep or symbolic. It remained playful, short, and direct.