Jon Stewart Quits Comedy, Starts Animal Sanctuary to Rescue Abused Factory Farm Animals

October 27, 2015

After stepping down as host of "The Daily Show," comedian John Stewart has traded in his New York City lifestyle to live on a 12-acre farm that will become a sanctuary for abused factory animals.

jon stewart animal sanctuary
CBS Sunday Morning

Jon and his wife Tracey announced on Saturday that they will become part of Farm Sanctuary's network of animal safe havens.

"We bought a farm in New Jersey with the intention of starting a farm sanctuary of our own with an educational center, but what I'm announcing tonight is that our farm is actually going to be the New Jersey branch of Farm Sanctuary," Tracy announced at the annual Farm Sanctuary Gala in New York City. "We're going to build new advocates, new curious learners, and new leaders for this very important movement."

jon stewart animal sanctuary
CBS Sunday Morning

Bufflehead Farm, located in Middletown, New Jersey, is a non-profit animal rescue sanctuary owned by Jon and Tracey Stewart, which will soon become home to dozens of cows, pigs, sheep, turkeys and other animals rescued from factory farms.

"If everyone did a bit more, if they fell in love a little bit more, so much could happen," Tracey Stewart told The New York Times. "It doesn't have to be going vegan. You can advocate for them. You can show tenderness. You can play music for them. I really hope people can connect with animals the way most of us did as children."

The Stewart family was honored at the awards ceremony held by Farm Sanctuary.

"I'm a little uncomfortable. I've spent the last 20 years immersed in the world of Washington politics and the media landscape, so I don't know how to deal necessarily with people who have empathy," Stewart told the all-vegan banquet at The Plaza Hotel in New York.

Watch John and Tracy's interview with CBS Sunday Morning below: