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Superstar Turkeys Win Hearts Across The Nation

Farm Sanctuary Spotlights Birds for National Adopt-a-Turkey Month

Watkins Glen, NY - November 1, 2007 - After weeks of speculation and nail-pecking drama, Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, is happy to announce its 2007 roster of Adopt-a-Turkey participants. Cicada, Feather, Juniper, Luna, Magnolia, Moth, Oak and Pearl turkeys have all stepped into the spotlight to represent birds everywhere and to urge the public to adopt, rather than eat a turkey on Thanksgiving Day.

Thankful survivors of abuse and neglect, these superstar residents of Farm Sanctuary's New York and California Shelters are all anxiously awaiting doting sponsors to help fund lifelong sanctuary care-including feed, bedding and veterinary care-for themselves and their flock mates. For a one-time gift of $20, sponsors who contribute to the turkeys' care receive a color photograph of their new feathered friend, an official "adoption" certificate, and a year subscription to Farm Sanctuary's quarterly magazine.

Those who are interested in permanent home adoption and are able to provide safe and loving sanctuary for two or more rescued turkeys are also invited to contact Farm Sanctuary and complete an adoption application. Approved home adopters will be placed on Farm Sanctuary's Turkey Express schedule and can expect to welcome their new companions home in time for the holidays.

"Most people don't realize what great companions turkeys can be," said Susie Coston, Farm Sanctuary's national shelter director. "They are social, sensitive creatures capable of feeling joy and pain much like one's cat or dog. I can't think of a better way to give thanks for all that we have than by protecting the most vulnerable creatures among us."

Started in 1986, Farm Sanctuary's celebrated Adopt-a-Turkey Project has not only saved over one thousand turkeys from the slaughterhouse and encouraged millions of people to rethink their holiday menus, but has also shed light on the plight of the 250 to 300 million turkeys who are raised and slaughtered in the U.S. every year-46 million alone for Thanksgiving in 2006.

Most commercial turkeys are slaughtered at 14 to 18 weeks, when male turkeys weigh about 33 pounds and females weigh about 15 pounds. To meet the consumer demand for white meat, commercial turkeys have been bred to have abnormally large breasts. As a result, the birds can no longer reproduce naturally, and the industry now relies on forced artificial insemination as the sole means of reproduction. Earlier this year, Farm Sanctuary released a video from inside one of the nation's largest turkey breeding facilities to document this cruelty and is available for viewing at www.adoptaturkey.org under "Turkey Industry Information." Additionally, most factory-farmed turkeys, comprising the vast majority of turkeys raised for holiday dinners, endure partial beak and toe removal, all without anesthetic, because they are allotted only three square-feet in which to live.

To find out more about Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey Project, view the 2007 "Turkey Adoption List," and access adoption applications and many other helpful holiday resources-including recipes, videos and literature, visit www.adoptaturkey.org or call 1-888-SPONSOR.

Note to Media: Photos of this year's sponsor turkeys, as well as industry photos are available by contacting media@farmsanctuary.org or calling 607-583-2225 ext. 256.

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.