Farm Sanctuary’s Walk for Farm Animals

For more than two decades, Farm Sanctuary has held an annual Walk for Farm Animals to help raise awareness about the plight of the farm animals.  It’s also a time to raise vital funds to support their rescue, education and advocacy work.  And this year, YDV took part.

I had never taken part in a walk before, so I was extra excited to do so.  Our Walk for Farm Animals was held on October 3rd in Cleveland, about an hour from my house.  No matter, I was stoked to go and the drive didn’t bother me.  Someone was smiling on us that day too, because it turned out to be a sunny day.  Can’t beat that.

The first thing I did was register and get my awesome 2009 Walk for Farm Animal shirt to put on.  We were presented with a reusable shopping bag filled with Tofurky Jerky, Alternative Baking Company Cookies, Whole Foods Cookies, Water and Trader Joe’s Granola Bars.  I, of course, downed my cookies as soon as I sat down.  Mmmm…cookies.

About 60 other folks came out to participate in the walk and it was pretty cool to see us all in our Farm Sanctuary shirts.  But my favorite walkers were the youngest ones, I walked with 2 boys who couldn’t have been more than 7 years old.  Both boys were proud vegans and very vocal about it.  Our introduction (and he asked that I not use his real name – honest, I couldn’t make this stuff up) was, “Hi, I’m a vegan.”

Yeah, I know.  I thought it was adorable and and inspiring all at once.  These children are, after all, the future animal advocates.

So we start the walk.  Well, right after we get our picture taken.

And we’re off!

Just walkin’ and raising our signs…

And walkin’…

And more walkin’… Honk if you love cows!

I’m having fun!

After our 2 mile walk we headed back to the library to listen to our special guest, Amy Hatkoff.

Ms. Hatkoff is an author, filmmaker and parenting educator.  Her latest book, The Inner World of Farm Animals, combines research on the emotional and intellectual capacities of farm animals with amazing stories and photos to bring their world alive.  It is a very touching book that really showcases the lives of animals.  And, since it doesn’t deal with the harshness of the factory farming, it is perfect for any age.  That is one of the things that I love about the book.  The stories celebrate the lives of farm animals in a positive way and doesn’t rely on the horror of animal processing to get the message across.  I highly recommend that you read this book.  Read it, then gift it to someone you love.  It’s that good.

Once Ms. Hatkoff was done with her presentation, it was time to go.  But not before I grabbed up a copy of her book.  I was even lucky and got it signed.

Fortunately, I was one of the last people to leave once the lecture was over.  I say fortunate because it provided me an opportunity to speak with Ms. Hatkoff and the few stragglers left.  Not all participants at the walk were vegan, some were vegetarian.  But a lot of the walkers were vegan.  And I found it incredibly intoxicating to be around like-minded people.

When I announced that I was taking part in the walk, I was asked why I would support a supposed welfarist organization such as Farm Sanctuary.  There are some folks out there who advocate animal rights using the abolitionist approach, and do not support “welfarist” organizations.  The moral baseline for animal rights is veganism, period end.  And honestly, I agree.  But, we have to support everywhere we can when it comes to non-humans.  It’s unrealistic and harmful to non-human animals to shun an organization simply because it fights for better treatment of the non-humans that are currently “in the system.”  We’re not going to change the world by relying on a single modus operandi.  Let’s not forget that sanctuaries provide homes for the animals who made it out alive.  Where else would these animals find solace?  Farm Sanctuary works tirelessly to save the lives of farm animals and never accepts any victory as good enough.  Neither do I- the fight continues until all are free from suffering.

I would like to take this time to thank our sponsors for the 2009 Walk for Farm Animals.  With your help we were able to raise $100 for Farm Sanctuary.  I don’t have the final figures of how much money we raised, however I do know that one gal was able to raise over $700!  That rocks.  Seriously guys, that rocks.