BRITTINY EDWARDS
More than 80 supporters are expected to walk the streets through Brisbane City and Southbank this Sunday as part of the annual Walk for Farm Animals, which raises awareness of the maltreatment of farm animals.
Farm Animal Rescue (Australia), a 55-acre animal sanctuary in Dayboro, has been organising the annual walk since 2013 as a way to both inform the public about their organisation and to fundraise for the sanctuary.
The sanctuary, which is a charity run by volunteers, provides a free roaming home for animals rescued from the animal agriculture industry, including those due to be killed at abattoirs.
Farm Animal Rescue offers regular tours of their farm, where visitors get to meet and hear the stories of the rescued animals.
The Walk for Farm Animals will begin at Queens Gardens in Brisbane’s CBD at 11am, returning to the park after the walk to celebrate with music and a sausage sizzle.
Farm Animal Rescue founder Brad King said the focus of the walk varied each year, but said this year they were walking in memory of animals that the organisation believed had suffered at a particular abattoir facility after hidden camera footage allegedly revealed unethical practice.
“We have an overarching campaign going on, which is for the Queensland Government to take cruelty to farm animals seriously,” Mr King said.
“So, we are focusing this year’s [walk] on an investigation that came out earlier in the year about a slaughterhouse that was slaughtering animals while they were conscious,” he said.
Long-time Farm Animal Rescue supporter Mo Orr said this year’s walk held a special place in her heart because she had seen the video footage that came out of the abattoir and said it would live with her always.
Ms Orr said she had been supporting Farm Animal Rescue for more than five years, attended the Walk for Farm Animals each year and regularly did outreach on behalf of the charity.
“[Founders] Brad and Carol both operate with the highest integrity and being part of the walk is an opportunity to raise awareness of both the sanctuary and [of] the incredible work they do,” she said.
“The energy at the walk is amazing, walking together with other FAR supporters, handing out flyers, and enjoying good food afterwards, all combine to make it a great day for a great cause.”
More details about the Walk for Farm Animals as well as other initiatives by Farm Animal Rescue can be found on their website.