Participants and their pets walk along Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica during Farm Sanctuary’s annual Walk for Farm Animals on Saturday, September 26, 2009. Walks occur across the U.S. and in Canada and held every year in honor of World Farm Animals Day on or around October 2nd. Walks are organized and run by volunteers. 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 and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, New York, and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. The Walk for Farm Animals helps fund and raise awareness about these vital, education and advocacy efforts.