Have to agree with @everittdmickey, he's not homesteading. He may live in the country, or mountains, but he's just running an animal sanctuary. Animals have a purpose while alive, giving eggs or milk, but the ultimate end is to provide us with food. I doubt you'll ever look at your friend in the same light in the future.
Yes a lot of people think that just because you live in the country or have some animals that makes you a homesteader or a farmer. But there is a lot more that goes to it and killing off animals every now and then is apart of it.