Mercy For Animals: One Man's Quest to Inspire Compassion and Improve the Lives of Farm Animals

Nathan Runkle · Gene Stone

Sep 2017 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

A compelling look at animal welfare and factory farming in the United States from Mercy For Animals, the leading international force in preventing cruelty to farmed animals and promoting compassionate food choices and policies.
 
Nathan Runkle would have been a fifth-generation farmer in his small midwestern town. Instead, he founded our nation’s leading nonprofit organization for protecting factory farmed animals. In Mercy For Animals, Nathan brings us into the trenches of his organization’s work; from MFA’s early days in grassroots activism, to dangerous and dramatic experiences doing undercover investigations, to the organization’s current large-scale efforts at making sweeping legislative change to protect factory farmed animals and encourage compassionate food choices.

But this isn’t just Nathan’s story. Mercy For Animals examines how our country moved from a network of small, local farms with more than 50 percent of Americans involved in agriculture to a massive coast-to-coast industrial complex controlled by a mere 1 percent of our population—and the consequences of this drastic change on animals as well as our global and local environments. We also learn how MFA strives to protect farmed animals in behind-the-scenes negotiations with companies like Nestlé and other brand names—conglomerates whose policy changes can save countless lives and strengthen our planet. Alongside this unflinching snapshot of our current food system, readers are also offered hope and solutions—big and small—for ending mistreatment of factory farmed animals. From simple diet modifications to a clear explanation of how to contact corporations and legislators efficiently, Mercy For Animals proves that you don’t have to be a hardcore vegan or an animal-rights activist to make a powerful difference in the lives of animals.

Ratings and reviews

An absolute must-read. I can't think of a more inspiring book! Nathan's story is riveting and you won't be able to put the book down. Love the work of Mercy For Animals and Nathan is a long-time hero of mine and I am so happy that he wrote this incredible book!

This is really an inspiring book. To learn the story of how a gay small-town farm boy became a leader of the animal protection movement is fascinating. Not only is Nathan Runkle's story compelling, but the investigators he profiles, and the early days of MFA he describes, are fascinating as well. The book also gives a good overview into the new technology around clean meat and the state of modern vegan activism. I learned a lot and was definitely entertained! Good for anyone who cares about animals, or who wants to learn how to make a difference for any cause. Would also make a good gift for a young activist to show them they have the power to do whatever they want!

I am very happy that the book has finally been published. The animal rights movement has been waiting for a book like this. As an activist, I think we need to constantly be aware and up-to-date with the best most effective ways to be activists!

About the author

Nathan Runkle is the founder and president of Mercy For Animals. For two decades Nathan has overseen the organization’s growth into a leading international force in the prevention of cruelty to farmed animals and promotion of compassionate food choices and policies. A nationally recognized speaker on animal advocacy, Nathan has presented at colleges, conferences, and many other forums from coast to coast. He has been featured in hundreds of television, radio, and newspaper interviews, and has worked alongside elected officials, corporate executives, heads of international organizations, academics, farmers, celebrities, and film producers to pass landmark legislation and implement animal-welfare policy changes.

Gene Stone is the author of many bestselling books, including the number-one New York Times bestseller Forks over Knives. He also cowrote the bestsellers How Not to Die, My Beef with Meat, The Engine 2 Diet, and Living the Farm Sanctuary Life.