Voices of the Herd: Portraits of Rescued Cows and Their Sanctuary Stories

by Mark Peters

Overview

Did you know cows have best friends and form powerful, lasting bonds with their calves? Voices of the Herd takes you inside animal sanctuaries, revealing the hidden lives of rescued cows through breathtaking black-and-white photography and heartfelt stories. With each portrait, Mark Peters captures their personalities, resilience, and the love they share—while exposing the harsh realities of animal agriculture. This stunning coffee table book challenges how we see cows—not as livestock, but as sentient beings with rich inner lives. Each portrait includes a caption that offers a glimpse into its subject’s life before rescue. Stories penned by sanctuary staff give moving testimony to the healing power of care and the resilience of these gentle souls. An essay by an animal welfare scientist deepens our understanding of their emotions and body language. More than a visual journey, Voices of the Herd is a call to compassion. Turn each page to witness the intelligence, curiosity, and courage of these remarkable animals—and discover why their stories matter.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781590567524
Publisher:	Lantern Publishing & Media
Publication date:	10/14/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook

About the Author

For over ten years, photographer Mark Peters has immersed himself in the everyday lives of the cow residents of farmed animal sanctuaries. He earns their trust by walking respectfully alongside the herd, coming to know each animal personally. Peters’s ability to earn the trust of his portrait subjects has resulted in numerous cow licks, having his ear chewed on, and getting chased (but never caught) by playful "puppy cows" on occasion. Peters lives in Maryland with his wife, Alisa, and the two little dogs who rule their home.

Editorial Reviews

"I’ve spent time with cows, the rescued and the doomed, and these photos capture the personality of each being—their soul even—in a way I would not have expected in a two-dimensional medium. How Peters managed this is one of those mysteries that, lacking a photographer’s talent, I will never understand. I simply know that I want to return again and again to these compelling images and the succinct, moving stories of each rescue."
—Victoria Moran, author of Main Street Vegan and co-screenwriter of the movie Miss Liberty
 
"Cows are highly intelligent and deeply sentient and emotional beings. Each and every individual has a unique personality, and it’s fair to say not a single cow enjoys being farmed for human meals. In Voices of the Herd, Mark Peters shares deeply moving and personal photographs and stories of rescued ‘food cows’—the fortunate few spared from lives of unimaginable suffering. Through the heartfelt care of compassionate humans, these individuals find safety, love, and healing from their scars of torture and confinement. Reading about Lucky, Moksha, and Watson, to name a few whose stories are told, I was reminded that the right question isn’t ‘What’s for dinner?’ but ‘Who’s for dinner?’ I hope this book inspires readers to honor the voices of farmed and rescued cows, who express far more than a simple ‘moo,’ and rethink the anonymous and hidden lives behind steak, beef, and burgers."
—Marc Bekoff, Ph.D, author of The Animals’ Agenda: Freedom, Compassion, and Coexistence in the Human Age and The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy—and Why They Matter
 
"Voices of the Herd features striking photographs and poignant stories of cows who have been fortunate enough to escape the horrible fate that befalls tens of millions of their peers in the United States. Photographer Mark Peters’ portraits capture the beauty of these souls who share our desire to live."
—Seth Goldman, co-founder of Eat the Change/Just Ice Tea, chair of the board of PLNT Burger
 
"Thank you, Mark Peters, for giving us the rare opportunity to see and get to know beautiful bovines. People don’t know what interesting animals they are! Mark breaks the mold of what animal photography can be and which species we believe to be deserving of portraits, stories, research, and our compassion. Cows are all around us—in crowded farms, on our plates—and we rarely get to see or know them. Mark helps correct that through this collection of stunning portraits and moving stories."
—Jo-Anne McArthur, photojournalist and founder of We Animals
 
"This book is an all-around beauty. With exquisite black-and-white photographs, lyrical prose, and touching stories, Mark Peters presents the true nature of cows in ways that the purveyors of dairy and beef don’t want you to see—as social, sensitive individuals who treasure their lives."
—Jonathan Balcombe, author of Super Fly and What a Fish Knows
 
"Joy, kindness, playfulness, resilience after trauma—so many cow emotions come alive in this gorgeous book. Peters’ photographs splendidly pair with essays from sanctuary caretakers to highlight cow personalities and love shared among cow family and friends. Everything about this book resonates with me, especially its message motivating us to bring about a kinder world for all beings."
—Barbara J. King, author of How Animals Grieve
 
"Filled with exquisite photographs and heart-touching stories, Voices of the Herd reveals cows as they really are: very sensitive and very social. The expressions of these cows, joyously living out their lives in sanctuaries, filled me with hope. With its priceless imagery, this book shows us how every cow should be allowed to live . . . in peace."
—Jane Velez-Mitchell, New York Times bestselling author, UnchainedTV founder

From the Publisher