In 1986, the rescue of one sheep named Hilda launched Farm Sanctuary—the nation’s first farm animal sanctuary—and spurred a global movement transforming the lives of farm animals.

Forty years later, Farm Sanctuary has become a standard-bearer for the rescue and care of farm animals, a leading voice for compassion, and an unstoppable force for change. We have passed landmark animal protection laws, expanded the sanctuary movement nationwide, increased plant-based food options, and educated hundreds of thousands of students and visitors.

Join us as we reflect on 10 milestone moments from the past 40 years of progress toward a compassionate world for farm animals.

1. In 1986, a young activist named Gene Baur rescued a sheep named Hilda, left for dead at a stockyard. Gene co-founded Farm Sanctuary, and Hilda became the first ambassador of the farm animal rescue movement. She lived 11 happy years at Farm Sanctuary.

2. A group of activists loaded up Farm Sanctuary’s Vegetarian Van with meatless food, cookbooks, and advocacy literature and set out to follow the Grateful Dead on their 1988 tour. At each stop, they sold veggie hot dogs and spoke with concertgoers, building awareness around the harms of animal agriculture and raising funds for the fledgling Farm Sanctuary.

3. In 1990, Farm Sanctuary became the first permanent farm animal sanctuary in the United States. Located in Watkins Glen, New York, the sanctuary spanned 175 acres on which to rehome and care for farm animals.

4. In 2002, Farm Sanctuary successfully championed the passage of the first U.S. law to ban a cruel confinement system. We led a citizen initiative in Florida, where a majority of voters supported Amendment 10 to ban gestation crates.

5. After working with the local Burger King in Watkins Glen and urging the fast-food chain to make veggie burgers available nationwide, the BK Veggie was introduced in restaurants across the country in 2002. This ultimately led to the Impossible Whopper, which is on the Burger King menu nationally today.

6. CA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Farm Sanctuary-sponsored S.B. 1520 into law in 2004, banning the sale of foie gras and its production by force-feeding ducks and geese. In 2019, the law went into full effect despite industry challenges. Bans have since been passed in New York City and Portland, Oregon, and we continue to fight for an end to this cruelty, including advocating for a ban in Rhode Island.

7. In 2014, Farm Sanctuary, as part of a coalition with more than 30 animal rights, environmental, and social justice nonprofits, defeated “Ag-Gag” bills that aimed to criminalize investigations of agriculture facilities in AZ, CO, IN, KY, NH, NC, PA, TN, and VT.

8. In 2018, CA passed Prop 12 with wide voter support, prohibiting severe farm animal confinement in veal crates, gestation crates, and battery cages, and banning the sale of products made using such practices. Through coalition efforts, we continue to defend Prop 12 from industry attempts to negate the law.

9. In 2020, actors and activists Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara contributed pilot funding that enabled Farm Sanctuary to expand its network, rescue more farm animals, and support sanctuary impacts across the country.

10. Farm Sanctuary reached a historic milestone in 2025, connecting with over a quarter-million students worldwide since 2017. Our programs—delivered through free webinars, curricula, and digital resources across more than 40 states and 7 countries—earned an Educator’s Choice Award from the Association of Professional Humane Educators.

Since 1986, Farm Sanctuary has driven change for animals, people, and the planet through a powerful combination of rescue, education, and advocacy. As we look to the future, we’re expanding our impact by creating immersive sanctuary experiences, growing partnerships, and advancing policies that promote a more compassionate and sustainable food system.

To support this vision, we’ve launched a bold 40th Anniversary Campaign to raise $5 million, and we need your help to reach this ambitious goal. Gifts of any amount will make an impact as we build momentum for the decades ahead. With a donation of $2,500 or more, you’ll join the 40th Anniversary Sanctuary Stewards, a special group of benefactors leading the way toward a kind, just, and sustainable world for animals.

Join the 40th Anniversary Campaign today!