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Memorial Day Open House Offers Relaxing Day Off With Farm Animals

Farm Sanctuary's two shelters will provide free tours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m

Watkins Glen, NY, and Orland, CA - May 16, 2007 - The public is invited to cap off the Memorial Day weekend with an afternoon devoted to farm animals, family and friends. Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, will hold its annual Memorial Day Open House Monday, May 28, offering free tours on the hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at our New York and California Shelters.

"Every year, our Memorial Day Open Houses draw a diverse crowd of folks who want to take a day off and hang out with our animals and each other," said Michelle Waffner, Farm Sanctuary education manager. "We often hear feedback about how our tours really change the way people think about farm animals. Our open houses give us the chance to offer that experience to visitors for free."

Before and after the tours, visitors are welcome to spend time in the People Barn and browse the gift shop for T-shirts, bumper stickers, treats and books. Information about Farm Sanctuary's tireless work on behalf of farm animals is also available, and, after meeting our animal ambassadors on the tour, brings the reality of farm animals' lives into sharper focus.

This year, several new residents at our New York Shelter will be on hand to greet visitors: J.D. piglet, found washed up in a backyard in western New York; Joey, a 6-month-old goat found wandering in a busy Brooklyn intersection; and nine bantam roosters rescued from a pile of trash on a New York City fire escape. Many of our friendly California Shelter residents will also greet visitors: Billy, Phoenix and Casey, baby calves recently rescued from a transport truck bound for a slaughterhouse; Lily, an elder stateswoman and undisputed "queen" of our pig barn; and Romeo, a goose who lives up to his name with his fondness and love for people.

Farm Sanctuary's California Shelter is located at 19080 Newville Rd. in Orland. Our New York Shelter is at 3100 Aikens Rd., just outside of Watkins Glen.

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.