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It was 1986, and Lorri and Gene Baur (formerly Bauston) knew they wanted to do something to help farm animals, so they set out to learn first-hand about the cruelties of the “food animal” industry. While investigating Lancaster Stockyards in Pennsylvania, they came across a frightening sight — the stockyard’s “deadpile” — where dead and decaying animals had been tossed onto a concrete slab. Snapping pictures to document what they were seeing, a young sheep raised her head from the pile. Gene and Lorri knew they could not leave her there to suffer. Hilda, as she was later named, became the first rescue among many for Gene and Lorri, and marked the beginning of what is now the nation’s largest farm animal protection organization — Farm Sanctuary. From an organization of three (Lorri, Gene and Hilda), Farm Sanctuary has grown to over 100,000 members, with farm animal shelters in New York and California. Farm Sanctuary’s mission encompasses not only the rescue and refuge of abused and neglected farm animals, but also numerous campaign, education, development, legal, and legislative efforts on behalf of farm animals. From the first ever conviction of a stockyard for cruelty to animals, to the most recent legislative efforts in congress, Farm Sanctuary utilizes its many departments to bring an end to farm animal suffering. RESCUE
AND REFUGE Farm Sanctuary also coordinates a national Farm Animal Adoption Network, and places hundreds of rescued animals into loving, vegetarian homes. Recently, we found adoptive homes for 70 pigs who were abandoned and left to freeze to death. The adoption became the largest pig adoption effort ever, and educated millions of people when the dramatic rescue story was featured in hundreds of newspaper stories and an Animal Planet feature. Most of the animals living at our shelters came from abuse and neglect situations. An important part of Farm Sanctuary’s work is to investigate and document allegations of cruelty to farm animals. Our investigations have led to precedent setting prosecutions and the first ever conviction of a stockyard for cruelty to animals at Lancaster Stockyards in Pennsylvania. With credible and accurate evidence of farm animal cruelties, Farm Sanctuary has advanced its efforts for farm animals, launching numerous campaigns and legal and legislative efforts on behalf of farm animals. CAMPAIGNS
& LEGISLATION Other firsts to outlaw cruel confinement systems include the Florida Initiative to Ban the Gestation Crate. To produce pork, pregnant sows are kept in barren metal enclosures the majority of their lives, only to spend brief periods of time nursing their piglets. Farm Sanctuary was a major sponsor of this unprecedented campaign to ban cruel factory farming practices. In November 2002, Florida became the first state in the country to pass a ballot initiative banning gestation crates. Over two and half million voters voted YES to the amendment, demonstrating that Americans are against cruelty to farm animals and are willing to speak out at the polls to stop farm animal suffering. Along with these and other confinement issues, Farm Sanctuary works to protect downed animals — those too sick to walk or even stand. The No Downers Campaign seeks to eliminate the suffering of downed animals who are left without food or water for days, and ultimately dragged or pushed to slaughter by forklifts. Farm Sanctuary worked to pass the first law ever to protect downed animals in California — under the new law, downed animals can not be abandoned to die slowly from neglect, or dragged to slaughter with chains. Current developments of the No Downers Campaign include generating support in congress for the Federal Downed Animal Protection Act, as well as a lawsuit against the USDA to prohibit the slaughter of downed animals for human consumption. Farm Sanctuary also works with local municipalities to enact Sentient Beings proclamations as a part of our Sentient Beings Campaign. This campaign, chaired by Hollywood legend Mary Tyler Moore, strives to elevate the social and legal status of farm animals, recognizing that, just like animals we call pets, farm animals are also capable of pain and suffering and deserve to be protected from cruelty. Prominent cities such as Cincinnati, Ohio, have enacted proclamations, helping people perceive farm animals as friends instead of food. EDUCATION
AND OUTREACH Our educational outreach activities include our humane education program, Cultivating Compassion, designed to teach children the truth behind the factory farming industry. The Adopt-A-Turkey project, featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, CNN, CBS Sunday Morning, and Prime Time Live, helps educate millions of people by encouraging them to adopt turkeys rather than eat them. Our annual Walk for Farm Animals takes place in the fall in over a dozen cities across the country, bringing concerned citizens together to raise funds for Farm Sanctuary and generate public awareness for the need to rescue and protect farm animals with each step they take. Our Adopt-a-Farm-Animal project enables compassionate people everywhere to directly provide the necessary support to shelter and feed a rescued animal living at Farm Sanctuary. The Farm Sanctuary Campaign Fund’s monthly pledge program provides ongoing financial support for our critical research and investigations, legal action, and exposés of the poultry, meat and dairy industries. The Legacy Society was established to express gratitude to members who have included Farm Sanctuary in their estate plans. The Friends of Hilda Club, named in memory of Hilda, was established to express our gratitude for Farm Sanctuary members who have made a major contribution to farm animal protection. In May 2001, Farm Sanctuary celebrated 15 years of protecting farm animals with its first ever Gala for Farm Animals at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. Our galas are held every eighteen months, with the next one scheduled for 2006. With dozens of celebrity supporters, creative gourmet vegan dinner, award ceremony, silent auction, and special entertainment, Farm Sanctuary’s galas shine the spotlight on farm animals with a memorable evening honoring farm animals and those who have fought so tirelessly in their defense. Farm Sanctuary’s programs and campaigns are possible because of committed policymakers, legislators, celebrities…and of course, you! To find out what you can do to help farm animals, from attending our upcoming gala, volunteering at our shelters or writing letters to legislators, please check out more information on our website or call us at 607-583-2225. Farm
Sanctuary started because of Hilda, and will continue, thanks to
the efforts of thousands of members who have given so generously
of their time, talents and financial resources. With
your help, Farm Sanctuary will continue to improve the lives
of millions of farm animals across the country.
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Never
underestimate the power of a sheep…that’s what started
the very first farm animal shelter in the country. 
Since
rescuing Hilda, Farm Sanctuary’s rescue and refuge programs
have grown dramatically, and today Farm Sanctuary operates a 175-acre
shelter in upstate 
With
our 
Farm
Sanctuary works to change people’s perceptions about farm animals
by offering them the chance to meet the animals face to face (or
nose to snout!). Each year, Farm Sanctuary’s shelters open
their doors to thousands of 
Over
80 percent of Farm Sanctuary’s operating budget comes from
member contributions. Each and every contribution allows us to continue
our rescue efforts, investigations, legal actions, campaigns, and
education programs — all of which come together to bring about
meaningful and lasting change in how farm animals are treated. Farm
Sanctuary has created a number of programs to help members