Current Press Releases

Farm Sanctuary Rescues Over 150 Turkeys
Spared from Thanksgiving Dinner

Wilmington, CA - November 16, 2001 - After a Southern California salvage yard owner was ordered to stop a turkey hunt he had organized as a Thanksgiving promotion, 320 birds were left running around his salvage yards. What to do with them was a mystery to Glenn McElroy, until Farm Sanctuary, an animal protection organization that operates a sanctuary in Orland, CA, stepped in.

McElroy had purchased the birds planning to use them as a holiday promotion: customers who came to buy an auto part could take a turn chasing the turkeys around the yards. If they caught one, they could take it home for 25 cents. "I thought it'd be cute," McElroy said. Outraged citizens who found the idea of using a living being for a marketing gimmick anything but cute contacted animal rights groups and the local animal control officers, who promptly put a stop to the plan, citing California laws against tormenting animals. That left the turkeys alive, but it also left them homeless, wandering around the salvage yards as McElroy scrambled to find something to do with hundreds of birds.

When Farm Sanctuary heard about the turkeys' plight, they immediately contacted McElroy and offered to take the entire flock. The organization was granted permission to take half of the birds, and these turkeys will now be allowed to live out their lives in peace and freedom.

Farm Sanctuary saves hundreds of turkeys each year through its Adopt-A-Turkey project, which encourages families to adopt, rather than eat, turkeys. This year, with over 150 new arrivals, Farm Sanctuary is seeking loving, vegetarian homes willing to take in a new feathered friend. Those who wish to help but cannot take a bird into their home can sponsor one by calling Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey hotline, 1-888-SPONSOR.

Farm Sanctuary rescue workers are currently arranging for the transportation of the birds from Southern California to their Orland shelter. The organization is planning to bring the turkeys to Farm Sanctuary in time to treat the birds to their own Thanksgiving dinner, consisting of cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and stuffed squash.

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.