Farm Sanctuary celebrates 35 years of rescuing farm animals

New York – Billie Eilish, Joaquin Phoenix, and a dozen of celebrities, have signed a petition calling on President Joe Biden to allow pardoned turkey’s to live at the Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen.

Last week Biden granted clemency to turkeys named Peanut Butter and Jelly.

A farm in the Southern Tier tucked away in the Finger Lakes is 275 scenic acres of land dedicated to the more than 700 rescued farm animals.

“We started in 1986 as an all-volunteer organization partially funded by selling veggie hot dogs out of a Volkswagen Van at Grateful Dead Concerts,” Trevor O’Donnell said.

Trevor is a 6’5” tour guide, educator, animal lover and vegan.

According to Trevor, there’s more to turkeys than meets the eye. Twenty-one of these were saved, serving as feathered ambassadors to the thousands of visitors who pass through the farm.

“They have these little quirks and behaviors,” Trevor said. “They have this social structure that they follow. There’s so much smarter than people realize.”

According to Trevor – 236 million are served for dinner every year, 68 million over the holiday season alone.

Allowing friends to enjoy some traditional Thanksgiving sides, every year Farm Sanctuary holds its celebration for the turkeys.

In order to help this non-profit care for these birds, and prevent other farm animals from being mistreated, you can symbolically adopt a turkey for a $35 donation.

You’ll get a certificate, a photo, and the details of your Turkey’s rescue story.

If you’d like to take part in the Adopt-a-Turkey Program, go to Farmsanctuary.org.