You can get your revenge on your ex by naming a cockroach after them
(Picture: PA Media)For some, Valentine’s Day can bring up feelings of deep resentment and anger directed towards their ex. For those people looking to channel their emotions, a Texas zoo has a novel idea involving cockroaches.
The zoo’s annual Valentine’s Day tradition allows angry ex-lovers to mark the day by naming one of the little critters after their ex. Best of all, the initiative is for a good cause helping to raise funds to support the zoo’s “vision of securing a future for wildlife in Texas and around the world”.
Applicants can give a donation of between $10 to $150 (£8 to £123) and name a cockroach after their ex-partner. A digital Valentine’s Day card is then sent to both donor and the ex declaring the news that a cockroach now has the latter’s name. Alongside a cockroach, rodents or vegetables can be chosen for a small fee.
The fundraiser went viral as people across the US and in more than 30 countries jumped on the trend by submitting their exes’ names.
How does the Cry me a Cockroach initiative work?
For $10 (£8) you can name a cockroach, for $25 (£20) you can name a rodent or for those seeking the sweetest of revenge, you can purchase the premium package for $150 (£123). The premium package includes a personalised video message showing the ex-partner the animal feasting on their cockroach, vegetable or rodent.
For vegetarians, there is an vegan option for $5 (£4), which features greens to be eaten by herbivores.
The ex-partner then receives a notification that reads: “Dear [Name], Your ex, [Name], has named a cockroach in our honour, to be eaten on 2/14. Feel free to tune in now to the cockroach live stream at sazoo.org/you-blew-it.”
Twitter reaction to name your ex after a cockroach
Twitter users shared their excitement about the cockroach-naming event.
User @syntax2600 wrote: “Yes, this will violate your restraining order…so, think again.” But user @QuillenEleng was less enthused, writing: “I think that’s really sad. What’s the value in feeding such a negative activity?”
A user by the name of Amy Ruby Rose posted: “For Valentine’s Day, San Antonio Zoo will let you name a cockroach after an ex before feeding it to one of their animals. This is the level of pettiness I aspire to.”
