Mary Tyler Moore speaking about farm animal protection and factory farming .

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mary Tyler Moore, an inspiring, passionate, and dedicated advocate who worked throughout her life to champion the rights of all animals.

Mary Tyler Moore speaks before reporters about factory farming. (Photo by Derek Goodwin)

She was a true — and beloved — friend of Farm Sanctuary who used her prominence as a platform from which to speak out for farm animals.

Mary Tyler Moore and Gene Baur hold a resolution from the City of Newark, NJ.

“Mary lobbied on our behalf at both the state and federal level, supporting efforts to prevent factory farming cruelty, and chaired our Sentient Beings Campaign, wherein dozens of cities formally recognized farm animals as ‘sentient beings’ who deserve to be treated with respect and compassion,” Farm Sanctuary President and Co-founder Gene Baur fondly recalls. “Her appearance in Farm Sanctuary’s ‘Life Behind Bars’ (which she helped edit) supported the nascent successful legislative efforts to ban inhumane confinement systems, which commenced in Florida in 2002. I am very grateful to have known and worked closely with her. Thank you MTM for making the world a kinder place, and for being such a positive role model for all of us.”

Video: Mary Tyler Moore worked with Farm Sanctuary to expose the harsh reality of “Life Behind Bars” for farm animals.

“I’ve always felt a connection with animals, felt that they have emotions, that they suffer as we do, that they could teach us a great deal about compassion,” she once wrote.

Gene Baur and Mary Tyler Moore at Farm Sanctuary’s 2004 Gala, for which she served as chairperson. (Photo by Derek Goodwin)

Thank you, Ms. Moore, for your compassion, dedication, and friendship. The world is a kinder place because of you.

Gene Baur looks on as Mary Tyler Moore speaks out about factory farming.