WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. - This
Thanksgiving, Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal
protection organization, is teaming up with actress Ginnifer Goodwin, star of
HBO's "Big Love," to launch their annual Adopt-A-Turkey Project, a national program designed to end the misery of
commercially-raised turkeys by educating the public about the horrific
cruelties endured by these sentient beings and offering a compassionate
alternative for Thanksgiving.

Each year 250 to 300 million turkeys are slaughtered for
food in the U.S.- more than 45 million for Thanksgiving alone- resulting
in thousands of birds being tightly confined in dark, filthy sheds, debeaked
and detoed without anesthetic and bred to reach a crippling weight at
an unnaturally fast rate.

"After spending time with the rescued turkeys at Farm Sanctuary's shelter and seeing how similar
they are to my furry companion animals at home, I knew I needed to do
everything in my power to protect these friendly and curious birds from the daily
pain and suffering they endure on factory farms," said Goodwin. "With
so many delicious, cruelty-free Thanksgiving dishes available, there is no
reason why any living being should be treated like an unfeeling commodity. I encourage
everyone to start a new, compassionate Thanksgiving tradition this year and Adopt-A-Turkey, rather than eat
one."

Have a Heart, Adopt-A-Turkey

Since 1986, the Adopt-A-Turkey Project has led
to the rescue of more than one thousand turkeys and shifted public attitudes
toward this Native American bird by offering thousands of people the
opportunity to "adopt" a turkey who lives at one of Farm
Sanctuary's two shelters in New York and
California for
a one-time $25 donation. Turkey
sponsors receive a special Adopt-A-Turkey certificate with a color photo of
and fun details about their new friend. Every November a new set of "spokesturkeys"
are unveiled and their peppy personalities and enthusiastic pleas for adoption
have made even the staunchest meat-eaters reconsider what they eat on
Thanksgiving and throughout the year. This year, six special rescued birds
named Bubbles, Mello, Rhonda, Gideon, Olive and Hawthorn will vie for the
hearts of potential adopters.

All Aboard! The Turkey Express

For those who would like to provide a lifelong home for
rescued turkeys, Farm Sanctuary staff
will personally deliver turkey companions to approved adopters via the Turkey Express, an
annual adoption event that has enabled the organization to
place more than 500 rescued turkeys into safe, permanent and loving homes
throughout the country.

"We are thrilled to announce Ginnifer Goodwin as our
official 2009 Adopt-A-Turkey Project spokesperson," said Farm Sanctuary President and Co-Founder Gene Baur. "Her love and compassion for all animals makes her the perfect
spokesperson for individuals who have been unfairly denigrated and suffered
severe cruelty. She will impact the lives of turkeys everywhere by
shedding light on their feelings and the plight of factory farmed animals, and by
encouraging citizens to consider compassionate alternatives."

To learn more about Farm
Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey
Project,
access helpful holiday resources- including recipes, videos and
literature- and view the 2009 "Turkey Adoption List," as well
as adoption applications, please visit www.adoptaturkey.org
or call 1-888-SPONSOR.