Dear Friends,

The days of Old MacDonald's Farm are long behind us. For the over 9 billion factory-farmed cows, pigs, chickens and other land animals used for food in the U.S. each year, their lives consist of confinement inside wire cages or metal stalls that are too small for them to turn around or even stretch one limb or wing. Whether meat-eaters, vegetarians or vegans, we all know that this is wrong.

In order to help Farm Sanctuary raise awareness about the realities of factory farming, I'm coordinating Farm Sanctuary's 2009 Chicago Walk for Farm Animals. The annual Walk for Farm Animals helps fund Farm Sanctuary's education and advocacy efforts. Last year's Chicago Walk raised nearly $10,000!

Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, New York, and Orland, Calif. provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals.

I hope you will make a pledge of support to help protect farm animals from needless suffering by making a donation for my participation in the 2009 Walk. If you prefer not to donate online, cash or checks made out to Farm Sanctuary are also gratefully accepted.

Thank you for all that you do for animals.

Yours in compassion,

Brooke