Some big names in show business and politics will gather in Los Angeles Saturday to raise funds and celebrate the 40th anniversary of Farm Sanctuary, which provides a second chance at life for animals rescued from the factory farm system.
The fundraiser, titled “40 Years of Hope & Healing,” is being hosted by former U.S. Ambassador to Spain James Costos and his partner, interior designer Michael Smith, at their Los Angeles home.
Actress Jane Fonda will receive the group’s Environmental Impact Award, which she will accept via a video message. Spanish singer and actress Charo will receive the Compassionate Impact Award, and California Sen. Adam Schiff will receive the Legislative Impact Award.
The afternoon will feature remarks from Farm Sanctuary founder Gene Baur. An honorary host committee includes Edie Falco, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Kate Mara, Moby, Paul Wesley, Diane Warren, Lisa Edelstein, Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne, and Grace Kadoya.
Farm Sanctuary has two U.S. locations: One in Acton, in the Antelope Valley, and another in Watkins Glen, New York. Together they house some 600 rescued farm animals, including cows, goats, chickens, geese, turkeys and pigs.
Baur, 63, was born and raised in Los Angeles. He is a vegan who authored the 2008 bestseller “Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food,” and lobbies for an end to the factory farm system.
According to its website, the group “fights the disastrous effects of animal agriculture on animals, the environment, social justice, and public health through rescue, education, and advocacy.”
Baur’s first rescue was a sheep named Hilda, who “was saved from a pile of dead animals cruelly discarded at the since-closed Lancaster Stockyards” and went on to live 11 happy years at Farm Sanctuary’s Watkins Glen farm.
To raise funds for his growing efforts, Baur sold veggie dogs outside Grateful Dead shows, “reaching an audience open to our compassionate message for animals, people, and the planet,” according to the group’s website.
Farm Sanctuary began operating the Acton location in 2011. The site hosts regular tours and vegan lunches for donors, who can interact with some of the rescued animals. It also produces an annual “Adopt a Turkey Project” for Thanksgiving, encouraging people to save a turkey instead of eating one for the holiday.