Daniel McKernan

Four years ago today I published my first children’s book — This Farm Is a Family — to benefit the animals at Barn Sanctuary.

I honestly had no idea what I was doing. I’d never written a children’s book. I just knew I wanted kids to meet these animals the same way I had, and maybe walk away thinking a little differently about them.

The book follows Buttercup, a newly rescued cow who doesn’t trust anyone yet. The other animals try everything to welcome her. It’s about fear, and friendship, and what it actually looks like to give someone time to feel safe.
(Turns out Buttercup the real cow was a much more willing reader than most humans I’ve pitched this to.)

All proceeds from the book went directly to supporting the rescue animals at the sanctuary. And it found its way into schools, birthday bags, and Easter baskets in places I never expected.
If you’ve got a kid in your life between 4 and 8 who loves animals — or honestly just needs a gentle story about starting over somewhere new — it still holds up. Link in the comments.

Hi everyone, Dan here.

First, thank you for signing and supporting this petition, 841 signatures! Every name helps, but what really moves the needle now is sharing. If you’re willing, could you please reshare this petition with your network today -- on socials, by text, or via email? Here’s the petition link:
https://www.change.org/farm-transport-act

I want to tell you why this matters with a quick story about two sisters: Anna and Elsa.

During a harsh winter in February 2019, two tiny piglets were loaded onto a transport truck headed to a "finishing farm" — the step before slaughter. When the truck arrived, Anna and Elsa were frozen to the side of the truck. They were completely still and were assumed to be dead.

But the man unloading the truck couldn’t walk away. He brought them inside to warm them up — and they became responsive. He kept nursing them back to health and called Barn Sanctuary to give them a chance at a forever home.
Anna and Elsa grew up safe and loved at the sanctuary — and today, they are full of personality.
They survived something no animal should ever have to endure — and their story is a reminder that transport isn’t some abstract issue. It’s real. It’s happening every day, and animals suffer out of public view.

That’s why I’m pushing for real enforcement and stronger protections — so fewer animals experience preventable suffering on the road.

Will you share the petition right now?

Post it to your socials
Text it to 3 friends
Email it to a family group or coworker

Thank you for being part of this.
— Dan

SIGN the petition! STOP Transporting Farmed Animals Like Cargo 👉 https://www.change.org/farm-transport-act