Shining World Leadership Award Presented to Lorri Bauston and Animal Acres

Lorri Bauston, recognized as the pioneer of the farmed animal sanctuary movement, is also the founder of Animal Acres, a Los Angeles-based animal haven that is "a refuge for animals and a sanctuary for the soul." On August 25, Golden Year 4 (2007), Animal Acres held a celebrity-filled gala fundraiser, with all proceeds going to the Animal Acres Emergency Rescue Fund. At the event, Ms. Bauston was presented with the Shining World Leadership Award from our Association member on behalf of Supreme Master Ching Hai, as well as a grant of US$10,000 to further the noble work of Animal Acres in providing shelter and care for animals.

At the age of 16, Lorri decided to stop eating meat and adopt a vegetarian diet, which was her first step towards what has become a lifelong passion of protecting farmed animals. In 1986, she co-founded the first shelter for farmed animals in the USA, and 18 years later established the nonprofit organization Animal Acres. Today, Animal Acres' living center accommodates over 100 rescued animals and sponsors a variety of programs and special events to promote compassionate living and help people understand the situation of farmed animals.

Ms. Bauston happily browses through the pages of Master's latest books.

During the presentation of the award, Jane Velez-Mitchell, an award-winning journalist and animal rights advocate, had the honor of reading the award letter from Supreme Master Ching Hai to Ms. Bauston:

"...This award recognizes your outstanding efforts to protect and nurture our animal friends, as well as your enlightened leadership in creating a brighter future for all humanity and animals, through your exemplary heroic acts, which serve as a beacon of unity among all sentient beings.

...For passionately advocating cruelty-free customs on behalf of animals, for publicizing compassionate living concepts, for providing a heavenly home for animals, and for being a dedicated and munificent role model for all humankind, we hereby applaud and celebrate the noble deeds of Miss Lorri Bauston, pioneer of the Farmed Animal Sanctuary movement."

Ms. Bauston was so touched by Master's letter that tears came to her eyes. "I'm so honored to receive the Supreme Master's award. That someone like Her, who has done so much in the world to promote compassion, would recognize my work, to also promote compassion, it's just the greatest honor you could ever have."

Upon receiving the award and check for US$10,000 presented by an Association member, Ms. Bauston said, "Thank you, thank you, so, so much! And I accept it on behalf of the 10 billion cows, pigs and chickens that live tormented lives from the day they are born until the day they are cruelly slaughtered, and the 45 billion animals worldwide." Ms. Bauston added that after 21 years of speaking up to protect animals' rights, she is optimistic about the movement, and within the last 10 years has seen positive improvements.

Congratulations to Lorri Bauston and Animal Acres! Thanks to the continuous efforts of Animal Acres and other like-minded organizations and individuals, the world is changing for the better with more humane farm animal treatment and vegetarian food sales in the USA becoming the fastest growing sector in the food industry.

To know more about Animal Acres, please visit the following link: http://www.animalacres.org

Photo credits from Animal Acres