Farm Sanctuary – Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food

by Jennie Richards · Published August 7, 2014 · Updated September 22, 2015

Farm Sanctuary – Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food

By Gene Baur

When Gene Baur visited a stockyard raising animals for food, he was stunned at the stench, noise, filth, waste, and pain and suffering the animals were experiencing. One sheep in particular had been kicked to the side to die, but when Baur walked by, she raised her head and looked at him–and that was it. Baur could not ignore her nor the pain she was experiencing, and took her home with him, and nursed her back to health. Hilda became the first resident of Farm Sanctuary, an organization he dedicated to the rescue, care, and protection of farm animals. In Baur’s book, he investigates the ethical questions involved in the production of beef, poultry, pork, milk and eggs and how animals raised for human consumption are confined for the entirety of their lives and live without space, movement, companionship, fresh air, or even adequate food and water. Baur explains these animals are not viewed as living beings with feelings, but as production units–ten billion farm animals are exploited specifically for food in the United States every year. Farm Sanctuary shows us how we individually have an opportunity and a responsibility to consume a plate that doesn’t cause suffering and torture to live beings, making a better life for ourselves and the animals as well.