Mercy for Animals

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

By: Gene Stone, Nathan Runkle

Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin

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 one 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, listeners 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.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2017 Mercy for Animals (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Worth Listening To!

I am not vegan, but I am humanitarian. I am so impressed on how Mercy for Animals came into existence, by a young Milo Runkle's concern for the humane treatment of animals, then being joined by friends who had the same concern. Thanks to Mercy for Animals, animals raised to be food for humans are getting more humane care. The inhumane care definitely seemed to make the workers at the meat plants a bit crazy, and how could it not make one a bit "off," as it was horrible. Toward the end of the book, practical guidance is given on becoming vegetarian or at least eating less meat. I have taken up the "Meatless Monday" suggestion for a start. I do like vegetables, so it is easy enough for me to eat more vegetables and lentils. For some others, it would be a bigger adjustment. To me, the author never came across judgmental of those who eat meat. The obvious concern for the humane treatment of animals was the predominant message. Mercy for Animals truly has benefited all of us and the animals. The organization has gone above and beyond what I ever thought possible. I am sure those at Mercy for Animals would be grateful if there were no more animals being manufactured as food. Until then, they have made tremendous strides in improving how animals are treated in the manufacturing process, alleviating some of the sadistic treatment of animals. The narrator was easy to listen to. I plan to listen to the book again.

A Must read for any animal activist

Inspiring, motivational, hard to listen to at times but so important. A wake up call that the animals need us!

Powerful, emotional and inspiring

Author Nathan Runkle could have easily and rightfully made this book entirely about himself, but instead it (in my opinion) functioned more as a way of honoring the incredible and selfless undercover investigators who bring light to the most abused in our society. The book beautiful weaves personal stories of Runkle’s with the mission and successes of his organization without feeling like a commercial for MFA, which to me speaks to the honesty of Runkle’s true motivation.

Mercy for animals is hopeful and triumphant

Mercy for animals shines a much needed light on the unnecessary abuse farm animals endure. I loved the journey Nathan shared of his upbringing and compassion for animals. The stories are heartbreaking but told well and not in a way that is to difficult to hear. The stories need to be told and the lessons shared in this book; I will remember always. Mercy for animals is a hopeful and triumphant story.
I am vegan but understand people will always want some meat on their plate. Mercy for animals fights to make their lives better.
We need more people like Nathan and the Mercy for animals family. By taking a moment to listen you are helping to change the world into a more compassionate and sustainable place for all.

Wonderful book

The book is beautifully written. The stories are engaging, it is exciting to experience the many victories that Mercy for Animals the organization achieved. We owe so much to Nathan Runkle and his wonderful institution. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to change the world.

Eye opening and interesting!

One person really can make a difference! This book opened my eyes to the amazing activism done by groups like Mercy for Animals. Highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to make the world a better place

amazing!! compassion for animals!!

an amazing read. solid book for any animal rights activists or anyone who cares about animals

Sad but so good

This book was so eye opening to the cruelty that goes on in the farming industry. Anyone who wants to eat animals should have to read this book and truly understand the suffering that goes into their cheeseburger.

A truly heartbreaking, yet inspiring book.

I am not sure I ever finished a book this fast before! I cannot recommend this enough to all of you. We must all wake up and realize the abuse that this society inflicts upon non-human animals. We must work together to create a more compassionate future, and the first step of that is educating ourselves on the current situation.. and this book is the perfect first step.

Powerful Tragic and Inspiring

Thank you truly for writing this book and for all of your love and hard work to protect the animals. I became a vegan halfway through listening to this audiobook and I am dedicated to learning more about nutrition and lab grown meat so I can eat cruelty free. Like everyone I know I love animals and never want to cause them to suffer. I’ve been avoiding beef, pork and lamb for years but this book helped me to let go of chicken turkey and fish. I can’t bear to watch videos of animal cruelty at the factory farms, but this calm, rational and kind audiobook was possible for me to take in. The author is very intelligent and open to gradual progress. His story and the story of his agency is also exciting, interesting, gratifying and inspiring.