Daily Inspiration: Meet Tom Mckernan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Mckernan

Hi Tom, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Back in 2016, after a car dealership opened on the neighboring property, I realized I didn’t want our family farm to become a gas station, fast-food joint or some other commercial development. So I posed my question of “What should we do with the family farm? to my four children and Dan (my son) saw an opportunity to turn it into a sanctuary for farmed animals. It was all his idea!

He was feeling lost and unfulfilled, despite years of launching tech start-ups. He knew he wanted to make a difference in the world, but had no idea how. That all changed one day when he met a cow in the hill country of Texas.

As he described, this gentle creature, with her soft eyes and affectionate nature, reminded me of my beloved dog Luna. I found myself scratching her face through a barbed wire fence, and in that moment, everything changed.

As I learned more about cows, I began to see them as individuals with their own personalities and experiences, not just as a source of food. After watching documentaries like Cowspiracy, I became a vegan and knew that I needed to do more. When my father called me about our family’s rundown farm, I saw an opportunity to turn it into a sanctuary for farmed animals. The farm was in disrepair, but Dan and I poured our hearts and souls into renovating it into a welcoming environment for animals in need. Dan named it Barn Sanctuary, inspired by the large, century-old barn on the property.

In August 2016, we welcomed our first rescue, Cora. She was a cow who had been bound for the market because she could no longer produce milk. It was a heartbreaking situation, but we were able to give her a second chance at life. By the end of 2017, we had rescued nearly 30 animals, and watching them live out their days in peace and safety was an incredibly rewarding experience.

Barn Sanctuary quickly gained a following as a place of compassion for farmed animals, and today, with over 140 animals on-site and 500 rescued, we’ve become a destination and education center for people from all over the country. Our sanctuary has become more than just a place for animals; it’s a community of people who believe in our mission to provide a safe haven for farmed animals and to educate others on their individuality and importance.

We’ve been able to extend our reach far beyond the borders of our sanctuary, using platforms like our global television series “Saved by the Barn” to shine a light on the often-overlooked plight of farmed animals. Through our digital presence, we’ve been able to share our message with millions of people, inspiring them to rethink their relationship with farmed animals.

Despite the challenges we’ve faced, we remain committed to our mission of transforming the animal agriculture system and creating a more compassionate world for all beings. The future is optimistic and hopeful for farmed animals, and with the continued support of our community, we look forward to rescuing and providing lifelong care for many more animals in need. Together, we can build a more compassionate and just world for all living beings.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We receive rescue calls almost everyday and we are basically at capacity. So we have to say no to these requests and that is a very difficult discussion because we want to help as many animals as possible. We know we can’t save all the farmed animals, but we will rescue as many as our capacity allows. That capacity is defined by the number of acres we have for pasture, the number of staff we have to provide acute and chronic care and, of course, the funding to support our staff, our veterinary medical bills, feed and bedding. We have to ensure that we don’t take on too many animals that would lead to a reduction in the quality of life of our current residents. We will take care of the residents we have and share their stories online and during tours and attempt inspire people to consider their own eating habits by educating them about the impact eating meat, dairy, and eggs can have on farmed animals and the environment and to become more plant-based in their lifestyle. And we hope ultimately, that this will reduce the demand for farmed animal products.

Compassion fatigue is a challenge due to the emotional toll that caregivers experience from the daily exposure to the suffering and trauma of the animals they care for. Sanctuary work is a 24/7 commitment and there are no holidays. Many of our rescued animals have been neglected, abused, mistreated or born with maladies. Ultimately, compassion fatigue in animal sanctuaries is a result of the deep emotional investment that our staff make in their work, combined with the high emotional and physical demands of caring for our residents. The process of helping these animals heal emotionally and physically is be both rewarding and draining, especially when staff develop strong emotional bonds with them. Addressing compassion fatigue is an ongoing effort and requires a combination of emotional support, self-care strategies, team collaboration, and adequate resources to ensure that the caregivers can continue their important work without compromising their well-being.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As Co-Founder and Operations Director, I oversee daily operations while maintaining a hands-on presence across all sanctuary activities. I manage our Barn Store from product selection to fulfillment, coordinate with animal care staff to ensure exceptional care for sanctuary residents, handle crucial administrative duties, and many other tasks. Working alongside the team, I regularly assists with direct animal care while driving the sanctuary’s strategic growth and mission forward.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Our animal care, facilities and admin team all keep this place running! Without them we wouldn’t have built what we have and continue to be a safe haven for these animals.

Pricing:

• $3 and up at our Barn store. All proceeds go directly back to the animals!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.barnsanctuary.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnsanctuary/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnsanctuary
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/barn-sanctuary/?viewAsMember=true
• Twitter: https://x.com/BarnSanctuary
• Other: https://shop.barnsanctuary.org/