by Susie
Here at Farm Sanctuary, we give turkeys special attention around Thanksgiving, and why not? They deserve it! These native birds roamed this land long before the Pilgrims came to America and started celebrating the autumn harvest festival that remains one of our nation’s most cherished annual traditions. And yet most people think of turkeys only in terms of body parts — breasts, wings and “drumsticks” — to be crisped, carved and eaten for the holiday meal. I suspect that’s because they’ve never actually met any turkeys, and just don’t know how amazing they are.
Take Merino: he was among dozens of turkeys rescued from a man who tried making money by raising birds in his basement for the Thanksgiving market. Merino arrived at the New York Shelter emaciated, wheezing from a respiratory infection, and suffering from a facial paralysis that crossed his beak over itself (making it difficult for him to eat). Despite his debilitation, Merino shows an overpowering affection for both people and animals: too bad few folks are fortunate enough to meet a turkey who changes lives just by being himself.
Bubbles, one of this year’s Adopt-A-Turkey Project superstars, is another turkey whose loving warmth inspires compassion. This little cutie came to us last year as a baby ball of fluff: detoed, debeaked, suffering from lung and leg problems, and needing lots of TLC. Yet if you visit the New York sanctuary today, Bubbles will lay right down beside your feet for a pat on the head, and you can see this beautiful girl’s pure zest for life as she bolts across the turkey pasture.
While I’m thankful that Bubbles, Merino and all the other intelligent, sensitive and charismatic turkeys at Farm Sanctuary are making their mark on the world, tens of millions of these birds will face cruel deaths this Thanksgiving. You can help change the tide by taking part in our our Adopt-A-Turkey Project and asking everyone you know to do the same.
On behalf of all your feathered friends at Farm Sanctuary, have a happy and humane holiday!
Pictured above: Merino turkey
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