Loyola students and other members of the community marched at the Walk for Farm Animals on Sept. 30. Spanish senior Sunshine Bond, visual arts sophomore Michelle Pontiss and mass communication freshman Katie Urbaszewski, a staff writer for The Maroon, walked the approximate three miles from Jefferson Davis Parkway to the Riverwalk, displaying signs as they walked.

The signs said things like “Farm Animals Have Feelings, Too” and “Honk For Farm Animals,” which drew at least 134 honks – “at least until we stopped counting,” Bond said.

The Farm Sanctuary created the awareness walk that occurs annually this time of year in cities that span the country. It is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring better conditions for animals that the Sanctuary believes suffer in stockyards, slaughterhouses and factory-operated farms.

Animals living in these environments are deprived of basic necessities and have a poor quality of life, bred with the sole intention of being sold for their meat upon their death, according to Farm Sanctuary. Some endure malnourishment, crowded spatial allotments and the removal of beaks, hooves or tails, depending on the animal. In addition to protecting future offspring, Farm Sanctuary rehabilitates abused and neglected animals.

“The walk was not only to help people understand solidarity with our fellow creatures but also to raise funds for the organization. It was also to understand ways in which we can live with less of an oppressive impact on animals,” Bond said.

The activists distributed pamphlets provided by the Web site veganoutreach.org, revealing how many animals are slaughtered every year and suggesting ways that concerned people can get involved with their cause.

The New Orleans walkers raised a substantial sum of money, Bond said.

Sally Tunmer can be reached at [email protected].