Animal sanctuary urges turkey adoption

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y., Nov. 11 (UPI) -- An animal sanctuary in Watkins Glen, N.Y., is urging people to "adopt" a turkey rather than eat one this Thanksgiving.

Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection group, wants people to go to its Web site at www.adoptaturkey.org to find ways to celebrate the bird without devouring it, sanctuary spokeswoman Angela Barker said in a release issued Tuesday.

Started in 1986, the Adopt-A-Turkey Project each year names six "spokesturkeys" to highlight the need for donations for food, bedding and medical care for turkeys and other farm animals rescued by Farm Sanctuary.

Barker estimates the Adopt-A-Turkey Project has saved more than 1,000 turkeys and helped place hundreds with families who have the room to take them home and care for them without eating them.