Counting down: 35 Moments from 35 Years

Speaking up for farm animals

Farm Sanctuary’s 35th Anniversary event is just one month away! Tune in on October 9 to help us celebrate The Power of Sanctuary.

Until then, we’re highlighting some of our favorite achievements, facts, and memories of Farm Sanctuary!

This week, in #11-15, we revisit the origins of Burger King’s veggie burger, share how Sanctuary shapes farmers’ compassion, and celebrate activists like Mary Tyler Moore who propelled our lifesaving work. Scroll down to read more!

Photo: Derek Goodwin

11. Mary Tyler Moore was one of us. The beloved actor was an early advocate for farm animals and a believer in the Power of Sanctuary. She even chaired our “Sentient Beings Campaign,” which championed farm animals as living, feeling individuals. She also spoke out against factory farming and narrated our short film, Life Behind Bars—an exposé of the modern agricultural system. Mary’s activism and compassion helped people see the lives behind the animals on their plates.

12. Howard couldn’t walk as a baby. Now, this strong, energetic steer loves to run and play with his friends. They get especially excited when it snows—check it out!

13. The local Burger King let us “Have it our way.” In a quest for plant-based dining near our Watkins Glen, New York shelter, Farm Sanctuary persuaded the town’s Burger King to add a meat-free option to its menu! The BK Veggie burger—and other vegan iterations—have since gone nationwide.

14. Our headquarters weren’t always in Watkins Glen. Before moving operations here in 1990, we sheltered rescued animals on a tofu farm! The owners farmed soybeans after phasing out of dairy and shared our vision of a more compassionate world.

15. Farm Sanctuary inspired our neighbor, a fur farmer, to transition to fruit and vegetable farming. We invited his family to meet our rescued animals—and he later decided to stop killing others. We learned something too: despite our differences, we can find common ground by meeting people where they are treating them with compassion.

Visit the blog for milestones 1-15!

The Power of Sanctuary
Celebrating 35 Years

Saturday, October 9, 2021
4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET

The Sanctuary movement wasn't created by one person or one organization, but by the collective actions of compassionate individuals—by believers like you. You are the Power of Sanctuary.

On October 9, please join us for a virtual celebration—with special guests Board Chair Emily Deschanel, John Lewis, Dominick Thompson, Bob Weir, Paul Wesley, and others, as we reflect on 35 years of Sanctuary, plus the work involved in creating a more just and compassionate food system.

We’ll be honoring amazing changemakers: Brenda Sanders of Thrive Baltimore, Afro-Vegan Society, Vegan Soulfest, and Greener Kitchen and Maggie Baird of Support + Feed for their commitment to food justice and combating food insecurity. You’ll hear stories of survival, of hard-won victories, and more!

THANK YOU

To those who’ve been with us since the beginning as well as those we’ve just met, we want to thank you. Our work would not be possible without you.

We’re also grateful for our Corporate Sponsors:

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