Tomas the Turkey Is Among Top Rescued Birds in Thanksgiving Competition
For Immediate Release:
November 17, 2011
Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382
Foster, R.I. -- Tomas might have joined the millions of turkeys who became Thanksgiving dinner if it hadn't been for Foster resident Pamela Hood. While helping her local animal control confiscate Tomas from an unsuitable home, Hood fell in love with the sweet, friendly, handsome bird and decided to take him home. Tomas now gets all the care and attention he wants—not only from his human guardians but also from his five turkey "girlfriends." And now that Tomas' inspiring rescue story has netted him second place in PETA's first-ever Turkey of the Year contest for rescued birds, he'll be sure to get even more attention! Starting this week, Tomas will be among the rescued turkeys featured on PETA.org.
"Thanksgiving is murder on turkeys, but compassionate rescuers like Pamela Hood give lucky birds like Tomas something to be thankful for," says PETA Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. "Rescued turkeys have been given a second chance at a life free from suffering on crowded factory farms—and that's the real prize."
More than 250 million turkeys are killed in the U.S. every year—including more than 40 million for Thanksgiving dinners alone. In nature, turkeys are protective and loving parents as well as spirited explorers who can climb trees and run as fast as 25 miles per hour. But most turkeys slated to be killed for food are crammed into filthy warehouses, where disease, smothering, and heart attacks are common. Turkeys are drugged and bred to grow such unnaturally large upper bodies that their legs often become crippled under the weight.
The winner of PETA's contest, Jake, lives in North Carolina. Tomas' fellow runner-up, Dale, lives in Massachusetts.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
