Got Feet? Use ‘Em to Walk for Farm Animals

Walk For Farm Animals is an annual fundraiser for the world’s first animal sanctuary, Farm Sanctuary, which runs every fall from September to November in various cities across the United States. Farm Sanctuary was founded in 1986 by activists Gene Baur and Lorri Houston, their first rescue being Hilda the sheep, who, still alive, was found left to die in a pile of other dead farm animals at the site of a factory farm. That small beginning sparked the world’s largest farm animal organization.

Since before it was even a physical space in Watkins Glen, New York, Farm Sanctuary has been raising funds for farm animals by organizing walks. Over the years, these walks have grown to become massive events held in cities across the United States and Canada, from major metropolitan cities like New York, Cleveland, Chicago and Los Angeles, to smaller cities like Hartford, Connecticut and Jacksonville, Florida. In all, there are 39 events this year. Each city has a unique event experience, from live speakers, to entertainment, to food and more.

Volunteer walkers can organize walking teams to raise funds. To encourage teams to raise as much as possible, the event offers fun grand prizes, such as aluminum water bottles for the team that raises the most, and a $50 credit to Farm Sanctuary for the individual who raises the most. There is even a prize in the youth category. And if you cannot attend an event, Walk For Farm Animals offers a virtual walk, “Sleep-in For Farm Animals,” which has all the same perks as the physical event, so you can raise funds even from your computer.

Today, Farm Sanctuary has three sanctuaries on 300 plus acres of land which house hundreds of animals at each location. That’s a lot of hay and treats!  Walking to help raise funds for Farm Sanctuary helps the organization to give these rescued animals a safe, special home.  Farm Sanctuary has transformed from the rescue of one animal, Hilda, to hundreds of rescues since 1986.  Someday we will arrive at a better understanding about the autonomy of animals, and, in time, help others to understand as well.

To find a participating city near you, check the Walk for Farm Animals DonorDrive page.

Photo credit: Farm Sanctuary