Did you know that our national bird was almost a turkey? If Benjamin Franklin had had his way, our indigenous feathered friend would hold a special place in our collective conscience, rather than as the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving dinner table.
Today's domesticated turkeys look nothing like their wild brethren. Turkeys raised for food are now all white – the poultry industry has bred their color right out of them. They grow faster and larger every year. As a result, if allowed to live beyond five months (when they are normally sent to slaughter), turkeys find it difficult to walk after only a few years. Their fragile skeletons have not adapted to the weight they have been bred to gain. To meet consumer demand for breast meat, commercial turkeys have been anatomically manipulated to have abnormally large breasts. As a result, the birds cannot mount and reproduce naturally, and the industry now relies on artificial insemination as the sole means of reproduction. Through all of this physical manipulation, the industry has yet to grow an animal that does not feel pain and is not curious, social or friendly.
No better place exists to see turkeys realize their full potential than at a farm-animal sanctuary where they have been rescued and allowed to live out their lives. Farm Sanctuary, with a 175-acre refuge in Watkins Glen, NY and a 300-acre refuge in Orland, CA, is the oldest of these farm animal-safe havens. Visitors find that turkeys are not afraid to look them in the eye, and some turkeys even hop into unsuspecting visitors' laps. In fact, one legendary turkey at Farm Sanctuary was known to greet visitors with open wings. Who could deny a good hug?
Home to hundreds of rescued cows, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits and turkeys, Farm Sanctuary welcomes visitors from spring to fall. Every year, one week before Thanksgiving, the sanctuary opens its doors to hundreds of visitors to partake in the Celebration FOR the Turkeys. Visitors enjoy a vegetarian potluck followed by a ceremonious feeding of the turkeys, in which these friendly creatures feast on cranberries, lettuce and squash – their preferred Thanksgiving dishes. These turkeys show unsuspecting visitors their bright eyes, curiosity and warmth. They crowd around visitors, interested in their every move. In fact, there is even a spot under their massive chests where they like a good belly rub – much like any dog.
The Celebration FOR the Turkeys is one event associated with Farm Sanctuary's national Adopt-a-Turkey Project, now in its 20th year. Every Thanksgiving, Farm Sanctuary asks compassionate citizens to save a turkey instead of serving one for the holidays. The sanctuary runs a website that is a resource for anyone looking to hold a compassionate Thanksgiving and gives virtual visitors an opportunity to meet and sponsor one or more of the turkeys that reside at the New York and California shelters. In fact, some families even home-adopt two or more turkeys, delivered through Farm Sanctuary's Turkey Express.
Give a turkey a reason to be thankful this holiday season. Save a turkey instead of serving one for the holidays!
You can sponsor one or more turkeys as part of the Adopt-a-Turkey Project by calling 1-888-SPONSOR or visiting www.adoptaturkey.org where you will find vegetarian recipes and tips for a compassionate Thanksgiving for all. The Celebration FOR the Turkeys will be held Nov. 19, 2005. Reservations are accepted through Nov. 11 and the event sells out every year! To book your tickets by phone, please call our national office at (607) 583-2225 ext. 221 or visit the Adopt-a-Turkey website.
Tricia Ritterbusch is the communications director for Farm Sanctuary, the largest farm animal protection organization in the U.S. 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, NY and Orland, CA 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.
