The morning of the Pittsburgh Walk for Farm Animals was a noisy one. A DJ played a selection of rock and pop hits. Conversations ebbed and flowed. Even the bees seemed to have turned up their volume Saturday at Southside’s Riverfront Park.

A tinkling undertone cut through it all: The sound of dogs on leashes jingling up to greet the walk’s participants, both animal and human. 

The event’s organizers hope that one day, farm animals will be afforded the same treatment as the pets at the walk.

“Everyone loves dogs and cats and is horrified when they’re abused,” said Point Park University math professor Natalie Ahwesh, who has planned the walk for the past two years. “But farm animals are being abused 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” 

Ahwesh said the walk has two main goals: Raising both funds and awareness about “the plight of the farm animal.” 

The funds raised from the walk go to Farm Sanctuary, the largest farm animal advocacy group in North America. The organization also has farm animal sanctuaries which house abused animals that have been rescued.

This year, Pittsburgh’s Walk for Farm Animals raised $6,582 for Farm Sanctuary. 

Sarah Speed, Pennsylvania State Director of the Humane Society and guest speaker at the walk, emphasized the importance of the awareness the walk raised. 

“People have come through and said, ‘I saw a poster, and I had never heard of factory farming, and now I’m a vegetarian.’ And that is saving hundreds of animals per year,” Speed said. 

The 2.4 mile walk snaked along the South Side Riverfront Trail into the Southside Works, and past the UPMC Sports complex before turning around and returning to Riverfront Park. 

Some event goers held signs with phrases such as “Animals are friends. Not food.” Members of Vegan Pittsburgh had matching shirts. Others were content to make a statement just by participating. 

One person biking along the trail shouted, “Animals eat other animals! Deal with it!” as he passed. More often, though, passersby gave the participants a thumbs up or a wave.

Upon returning, walkers enjoyed a vegan lunch and live music. Speed took the microphone and discussed the importance of legislation to farm animal rights. 

She led the crowd in a vow to find out who each person’s respective state representative is and to get into contact with that representative concerning the treatment of farm animals.

Niki Penberg, President of Vegan Pittsburgh, said the event is an important part of the vegan community.  

“An event like this lets people considering veganism know that there’s an existing community, there’s a lot of great food, and it’s easy to do,” Penberg said.

Donna Hauser, who traveled from Steubenville, Ohio to be part of the event, said that the event made a difference in the way people around her view farm animals. 

“I have people at work who didn’t even know what factory farming is, and they sponsored me,” Hauser said. “It gives you a chance to let someone else know what’s going on.”

Last year, a little more than 100 people attended. This year, more than 150 people took part in the walk.

Ahwesh said she’ll be back organizing the walk next year and hopes to see it continue to grow.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it to be a part of something like this,” she said.