Adopt-A-Turkey: Celebrities Support Project To Improve Treatment Of Animals (PHOTOS)

Thanksgiving has traditionally been focused on turkeys, but one group is trying to change that focus from dead to alive. Farm Sanctuary has partnered with a number of celebrities, including Ellen DeGeneres, to raise awareness for the plight of commercially-raised turkeys through its Adopt-A-Turkey Project.

The animal protection organization reports that over 46 million turkeys are killed annually just for Thanksgiving, and they are encouraging individuals to make a small donation to "adopt" a turkey this holiday instead. According to Farm Sanctuary's website, the $30 spent to "adopt" a turkey who lives at their shelter for farm animals "will not only contribute funds for the care of the rescued animals at our sanctuaries but also help us educate and advocate for turkeys, and other farm animals, everywhere." Another option offered is to home-adopt turkeys after ensuring that proper lifelong care will be provided.

The president will also save two turkeys this year, but many more will be killed for Thanksgiving feasts.

The animal rights organization PETA reported in a 2008 undercover investigation at the factory farms of Aviagen Turkeys, Inc. that workers tortured and mutilated turkeys before killing them. The report claimed, "Employees stomped on turkeys' heads, punched turkeys, hit them on the head with a can of spray paint and pliers, and struck turkeys' heads against metal scaffolding. Men shoved feces and feed into turkeys' mouths and held turkeys' heads under water. Another bragged about jamming a broom stick 2 feet down a turkey's throat."

The group has produced an emotional ad campaign for Thanksgiving this year, asking viewers, "Kids: If You Wouldn't Eat Your Dog, Why Eat a Turkey?" PETA also grabbed attention by suggesting the town of Turkey, Texas rename itself "Tofurky."

For many animal advocates, it's not just the killing of turkeys for Thanksgiving that's upsetting. Factory farming has also drawn criticism for animal mistreatment and related sicknesses.

Nil Zacharias, co-founder of One Green Planet and HuffPost blogger, wrote, "The truth is not only do factory farms lead to the mistreatment, suffering and death of billions of animals every year, but they also cause soil contamination, loss of biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions and land, energy and water wastage."

There are various ways that you can be a turkey advocate this year, from adopting an animal to looking for certain labels. Click here to learn more about adopting a turkey.

Below, check out the celebrities who are supporters of the Adopt-A-Turkey Project, and see what they had to say about eating turkeys this year. Captions courtesy of Farm Sanctuary.

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Comments

[nnealj1]

03:43 PM on 11/23/2011

When I saw the lead headline about celebrities being attracted to turkeys, I was wondering if it was an article about a bunch of them flocking to the Republican presidential debates....

[sabelmouse]

07:15 AM on 11/23/2011

i always adjust my diet according to what [ american] celebrities eat. always. it should be a law or something.
fyi .linda blair looks so much better than she used too.

[Angie Cordeiro]

12:53 AM on 11/23/2011

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[Anne Mccormick]

11:06 PM on 11/22/2011

adopt a turkey? no thanks. i'm one of those people who look at a turkey and think dinner time.

[sabelmouse]

07:17 AM on 11/23/2011

i hear they're stalkers. i already get stalked by my dog.

[Gabe Brummett]

10:47 PM on 11/22/2011

are the turkeys they adopt still able to reproduce?

[Judith Jaehn]

09:04 PM on 11/22/2011

Happy Vegan Thanksgiving To All!!!!!

[InisLass]

12:58 AM on 11/23/2011

Hear, hear, Judith. Am a vegetarian since I still like yogurt and whipped cream and occasionally butter, otherwise.... Adore ani-mo-biles.

[Portann]

08:42 PM on 11/22/2011

I truly admire vegitarians and vegans. I was vegan for a year and I loved it, after reading the book Skinny Bitch and the horrors of mass animal slaughters and the cruelty that goes with it. The fruits, vegatables, whole grains, the glow that a person gets eating wholesome nutritious food. It became really difficult to sustain the lifestyle, my husband being a carnivore. But I think, starting this new year........

[veronique2]

07:06 PM on 11/22/2011

Yes I agree. The original pilgrims didn't eat turkey. Eating animals has become institutionalized cruelty in the name of some holiday or to satisfy a passing craving from our tastebuds. We don't need to eat animals AT ALL. I encourage people to read The China Study by T. Colin Campbell (or watch Forks Over Knives) and The World Peace Diet by Dr Will Tuttle. "be the change you want to see in the world" Mahatma Gandhi.

[Gabe Brummett]

11:05 PM on 11/22/2011

at least you're correct about the original pilgrims not eating turkey, they certainly didn't know how to hunt, perhaps more of them would have survived a little longer had they known.
china study has been debunked - numerous times- here is one - http://rawfoodsos.com/2010/07/07/the-china-study-fact-or-fallac/
perhaps you don't need animals to survive, and that's fine. but understand that there are billions of people all over the world who do.

[g-moi]

05:35 PM on 11/22/2011

Wow who knew? Thanks folks I'm glad there are more of us out there.